MOB museum of alternative-art
[Mohitotsuno-Bijutukan]
MESSAGE
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Our Purpose is to create a place where visitors to the museum can experience and support the artwork of those people who have mental disabilities. Through the power of artwork we link people together. ● |
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During the continuing post-war economic boom, the welfare policy had been to see the disabled as those who could not be independent or productive. An emphasis, therefore, was placed not on creating an environment in which they could achieve a level of independence, but merely on providing for them. Gradually, in the course of the past 30 years, there have been a few art therapy and rehabilitation programs set up for the mentally disabled in Japan. However, until recently, the interest in these programs has been small and they have been difficult to maintain. These programs are now enjoying an increase in the interest of the general public as well as in the art world as the works of art being created by the mentally handicapped are being recognized as just that- works of art. The Japan Handicapped Art and Culture Association, now called Able Art Japan, was establishment in 1994 as a disabled persons’ art movement. This citizens' grass roots art movement gave the art activities of the handicapped a new beginning. Yet, a permanent place where this artwork produced by the handicapped through these programs could be housed and displayed did not exist until now. With the creation of the Mouhitotsuno Bijutsukan, a place now exists where people of all ages and all backgrounds can enjoy the creativity and beauty of these artists. There are two other museums in the town of Bato-town: the Iwamura Kazuo Illustrated Book Museum and the Bato-machi Hiroshige Museum. With the addition of this third museum, we believe that as the museums mutually support each other, they strengthen the culture and heritage of Bato-town. Additionally, this area is facing a decreasing and “graying” population. As a result of this, an increasing number of school buildings, endowed culturally, are no longer being used. We believe that a deeply meaningful part of the Able Art's citizen art movement is to make use of these treasures by discovering new and different ways to utilize these buildings. The museum is located in the Koguchi neighborhood of
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MOB museum of alternative-art, Non-Profit Organization
Copyright 2004 MOB MUSEUM OF ALTERNATIVE-ART. All rights reserved.