Artist:
Okamoto Taro
Title:
Myth of Tomorrow
Year:
1950
Adress:
Shibuya Station
www.taro-okamoto.or.jp:
In the autumn of 2003 the huge mural, ‘Myth of Tomorrow’, that had long been thought lost, was discovered in a Mexican suburb.
This mural features an image of the tragic moment in which an atomic bomb explodes.
However, it is not simply a picture of the victims. The powerful message contained in this work by Taro Okamoto is that human beings are capable of proudly overcoming even the cruelest of tragedies and giving birth to ‘a myth of tomorrow’.
Created at approximately the same time as his ‘Tower of the Sun’, this work and the tower were said ‘to form a pair’; it is one of Taro Okamoto’s greatest works and is indispensable in tracing the course of his art, making it extremely valuable.
Unfortunately, however, it was abandoned in poor conditions for many years, resulting in it suffering major damage. It was at this point that a restoration project was established within the Okamoto Memorial Foundation to ship the work back to Japan, renovate it then place it on display where it could be seen by as many people as possible.
The mural was transported to Japan and restoration work completed by June 2006, with it going on display for the first time at Shiodome in July of the same year. It was only shown there for fifty days, but despite the limited period, it succeeded in attracting approximately two million visitors. The work was shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) from April 2007 to June 2008. In March of 2008 it was decided that it should be placed on permanent display in Shibuya station and since November 18 of that year, it has been installed in the walkway connecting the rail station with Shibuya Mark City.
With the support of numerous people, the ‘Myth of Tomorrow Restoration Project’ has succeeded in reaching an important milestone and we would like to take this opportunity of express our deep gratitude to everybody involved. The story of the ‘Myth of Tomorrow’ will continue, and your future support will be greatly appreciated.
www.tokyo-re-discovery.com:
Do you know Taro Okamoto? He is a prominent Japanese artist of the 20th century. The avant-garde artist became popular with his intense statement "Art is an explosion!" made on a TV commercial. Some of you may recognise his "Tower of the Sun" created as the symbol of Expo '70 which is still preserved in the Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka.
www.theculturetrip.com:
This mural in Shibuya Station has earned itself the nickname 'The Lost Mural.' It was commission for a Mexican hotel and went missing after the company went under. After it was rediscovered, it was sent back to Japan. The Myth of Tomorrow depicts the terror and damage of the atomic bomb, a theme that still resonates today.
In the autumn of 2003 the huge mural, ‘Myth of Tomorrow’, that had long been thought lost, was discovered in a Mexican suburb.
This mural features an image of the tragic moment in which an atomic bomb explodes.
However, it is not simply a picture of the victims. The powerful message contained in this work by Taro Okamoto is that human beings are capable of proudly overcoming even the cruelest of tragedies and giving birth to ‘a myth of tomorrow’.
Created at approximately the same time as his ‘Tower of the Sun’, this work and the tower were said ‘to form a pair’; it is one of Taro Okamoto’s greatest works and is indispensable in tracing the course of his art, making it extremely valuable.
Unfortunately, however, it was abandoned in poor conditions for many years, resulting in it suffering major damage. It was at this point that a restoration project was established within the Okamoto Memorial Foundation to ship the work back to Japan, renovate it then place it on display where it could be seen by as many people as possible.
The mural was transported to Japan and restoration work completed by June 2006, with it going on display for the first time at Shiodome in July of the same year. It was only shown there for fifty days, but despite the limited period, it succeeded in attracting approximately two million visitors. The work was shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) from April 2007 to June 2008. In March of 2008 it was decided that it should be placed on permanent display in Shibuya station and since November 18 of that year, it has been installed in the walkway connecting the rail station with Shibuya Mark City.
With the support of numerous people, the ‘Myth of Tomorrow Restoration Project’ has succeeded in reaching an important milestone and we would like to take this opportunity of express our deep gratitude to everybody involved. The story of the ‘Myth of Tomorrow’ will continue, and your future support will be greatly appreciated.
www.tokyo-re-discovery.com:
Do you know Taro Okamoto? He is a prominent Japanese artist of the 20th century. The avant-garde artist became popular with his intense statement "Art is an explosion!" made on a TV commercial. Some of you may recognise his "Tower of the Sun" created as the symbol of Expo '70 which is still preserved in the Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka.
www.theculturetrip.com:
This mural in Shibuya Station has earned itself the nickname 'The Lost Mural.' It was commission for a Mexican hotel and went missing after the company went under. After it was rediscovered, it was sent back to Japan. The Myth of Tomorrow depicts the terror and damage of the atomic bomb, a theme that still resonates today.