How Do Artists’ Materials Live On? — Seminar Held by the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems
On February 17, 2026, a seminar was held by the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems at the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN). Focusing on the systematic organization and public release of artists’ materials, which has progressed significantly in recent years, this seminar examined the practical implementation of archive construction concerning two artists, MOCHIZUKI Katsura and MATSUZAWA Yutaka. We considered how artists’ materials should be passed on to future generations, focusing on both the “preservation” techniques for records and the “utilization” practices through exhibitions and digital archives.
In Part 1, “Regarding Materials Related to MOCHIZUKI Katsura,” SHIOBARA Rieko of the Azumino City Board of Education first reported on the process and future prospects of material research in the local community. Subsequently, TANIGUCHI Eri of the National Center for Art Research and YAMANAGA Naomi, Associate Fellow of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, provided an interim report on the significance of the methods used for the acquisition, arrangement, and public release of these materials.
In Part 2, “Regarding the Former Collection of MATSUZAWA Yutaka,” Mr. TSUCHIGA Motonori of the Prefectural Nagano Library introduced the initiatives of “SHINSHU Digital Commons,” which aims to become a regional “intellectual commons,” and the mechanisms of digital archives that include artists’ materials. Finally, Mr. KIKKAWA Hideki, Head of the Modern and Contemporary Visual Arts Section of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, discussed the role of the TOBUNKEN Library as a node for multi-layered activities and provided an outlook on mechanisms for accepting and making these artists’ materials function within the library.
Following each report, a discussion and Q&A session was held, moderated by Mr. SHIOYA Jun, Senior Researcher of TOBUNKEN, and Mr. KIKKAWA. Lively exchanges took place regarding the challenges of opening such artists’ materials to society and their potential as social infrastructure.
This seminar served as an important opportunity to continue exploring concrete strategies from both practical and research perspectives, such as how various institutions and research teams can leverage their respective expertise to share roles and functions to pass on the value of the vast amounts of generated materials to the next generation.