On the Donation of the Matsuzawa Yutaka Papers
As part of the research project “Research and Compilation of Materials on Modern and Contemporary Art,” we have recently received a generous donation from the family of the late artist MATSUZAWA Yutaka, titled, the “Matsuzawa Yutaka Papers.”
MATSUZAWA Yutaka (1922–2006) developed a mode of expression mediated by language and concepts from the late 1960s onward, and he actively engaged with international currents in conceptual art. This collection, which conveys his creative practice and artistic philosophy, serves as an important resource for understanding the development of conceptual art. It includes manuscripts, exhibition materials, photographs, and other documents generated through his artistic activities, offering valuable reference points for grasping the artistic trends of the time. Moreover, this collection plays a vital complementary role in shedding light on areas not fully covered by materials previously collected by our Institute—particularly the development of avant-garde practices in postwar Japan and the networks that supported these expressions.
Since 2017, our Institute has organized four research symposia on the Matsuzawa Yutaka Papers, during which we have shared the scholarly value and potential uses of the materials with relevant researchers and institutions. Through initiatives such as the JSPS-funded project “Post-1968 Artistic Communities: Centering on the Matsuzawa Yutaka Archives” (Project No. 18K00200, Principal Investigator: KIKKAWA Hideki), we have also worked to catalogue and digitize the collection*. As this work has progressed, MATSUZAWA’s evolving thought and his networks—both domestic and international—have come into clearer focus. These materials not only provide a foundation for retracing his artistic trajectory, but will undoubtedly serve as a vital resource for interdisciplinary research into the broader cultural landscape of his time, both in Japan and abroad.
The research project “Research and Compilation of Materials on Modern and Contemporary Art” is intended to facilitate the conduction of research on modern and contemporary Japanese art works and materials, to promote research exchange based on this research, and to establish an efficient collection and publication framework for materials related to contemporary art. Once preparations are complete, these materials will be available for viewing in the Materials Reading Room. We hope that they will serve as a starting point for solving research questions in various fields, including contemporary art, and inspire new research.
◎ List of MATSUZAWA Yutaka’s Materials Created through JSPS KAKENHI Project 18K00200
https://researchmap.jp/kikkawahideki/published_works
- Materials related to the Japanese Conceptualist movement (mainly 1960–2007), approximately 1,400 items
- Data Center for Contemporary Art materials (mainly 1972–83), approximately 850 items
*Among the materials formerly owned by MATSUZAWA Yutaka that were donated this time, digital images of 81 items—including manuscripts written in his own hand—are available to the public via the digital archive system “Shinshu Digital Commons” operated by the Nagano Prefectural Library (https://www.ro-da.jp/shinshu-dcommons/search).