On May 25th of 1958, Shuzo Takiguchi departed Haneda for Italy, on his way to represent Japan and take his place as one of the judges in the Venice Biennale set to open on June 14th of the same year. Although this was Takiguchi's first trip to Europe, after his work in Venice concluded he traveled to Spain in August, staying with Antoni Tàpies and visiting Dali.
And, although unfortunately, he and Joan Miró were unable to meet at the time, as Miró was on a journey, they were able to meet for the first time in 1966 when Miró visited Japan. In this way, Miró, Dali, Tàpies and other Spanish artists, especially those hailing from the region of Catalonia, loomed large as sparks of interest in Takiguchi life, both before and after the war.
In honor of the opening of the recent exhibition, "Joan Miró and Japan", we're very happy to have the chance to introduce to you a number of materials formerly possessed by Takiguchi and centering around his travels in Europe and relationships with Spanish artists at that time, including a poster from one of Miró's exhibitions, a collaboration done by Miró and Tàpies, seashells gathered from a Cadaqués beach while visiting Dali, a gift of jasmine from Dali, and more.