The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu's Art Communicator "Nagarer"

"Nagarer" is someone that values the communication born from art and make the "connection of art" based on the museum while connecting with the people and themes living in Gifu.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 17 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu's Art Communicator "Nagarer"

We will connect people to people, people to artworks, people to culture, and spread new values and relationships to society.

"Nagarer" Introductory video by Hibino katsuhiko (director) (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: About "Nagarer"

Introducing the art communicator of the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu with a video. The content is in Japanese only.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 2 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

What is the art communicator "Nagarer"?

The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu started the "Art Communication Project" from the preparatory period for the reopening in 2019. Art communicators (nickname: "Nagarer") work with the museum staff to realize the basic philosophy of the renewed museum, "encounter with art, conversation with art, and enjoyment of art."

Introduction of "Nagarer" 3 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

What is an art communicator?

Art communicators are people who work together to connect people—through art—with people, with art works, and with places. They are community builders, for they connect people with a variety of value systems by fostering communication. Coming from a wide array of backgrounds, they include company workers, students, homemakers, retirees, freelancers, and so on.

What is an art communicator?

As of 2021, this social design project is being undertaken based in museums and cultural facilities in various parts of Japan such as Tokyo, Sapporo, Nagano, Ibaraki, and Yamaguchi.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 4 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

The nickname "Nagarer" was coined by combining two words, "-while" and "Nagara River" flowing through Gifu. Named by Director Hibino Katsuhiko. 

"Communication is of course not possible alone. There needs to be a partner. "While" is born between the two. Don't be alone, talk to another person, and have a relationship." 

Introduction of "Nagarer" 5 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

The new "Art Communicator's Room" in the museum is the base for "Nagarer." As a place to create a new way of enjoying art, it is a place where "Nagarer" and museum staff can use it in various ways, such as having a meeting or using it as a venue for an event.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 6 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Application

About 25 members are selected by open recruitment once a year for "Nagarer." No special qualifications or experience is required. 

Application

Each person's interest in art and the community becomes a starting point, and the activities of "Nagarer" will begin. People gather in the museum as a third place, different from homes, schools and workplaces.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 7 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Basic seminar

In preparation for the activity, you will learn about art and communication in all 6 basic seminars. In order to adventure with comrades of different backgrounds and ages, we will deepen our understanding of the importance of dialogue in building relationships and the characteristics of a museum.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 8 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

You will learn the basics of creating a new community through a workshop using theatrical methods, seminars on the theme of "listening" to what individuals say, and meetings for various members to exert their power.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 9 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

In 2020, the course was held online to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. The activity started from thinking "What is the way to deliver art that can only be done now?" In this three-month seminar, we challenged online group work and repeated trial and error about interaction through art.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 10 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Let's sail this boat together approach

"Nagarer" can start a meeting as a "boat (= group)" when three people gather for one idea. Since the activity of the boat starts from Nagarer's "want to try" feeling, we call it "Let's sail this boat together approach." 

Let's sail this boat together approach

Set in the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu, we will work on creating original projects that foster connections with works, artists, and visitors. Each boat (= group) has the name "--maru". 
*Adding the suffix "-maru" to names is a common way of naming ships in Japan.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 11 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

<Broadcasting club maru>

For example, such an activity was born. "Naga Radio"
That records and distributes as a radio program how "Nagarer" appreciates the works held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu. Based on interactive appreciation, this is a project that delivers fun from various perspectives.

"NagaRadio" 1st (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: "NagaRadio"

"Naga Radio 1st" introduction video. The content is in Japanese only.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 12 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

<Note of the museum maru>

A project that focuses on the building of the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu and introduces the highlights through unique items and photographs. We have compiled maniac architectural points such as wall tiles, skirting boards, garden stones, and ceilings on our website.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 13 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

<LINK MEET Maru>

A project to interview people involved in museums and publish articles. In the first session, we interviewed Nakaji Hiroaki, a resident artist of "Artist in Museum [AiM]", for two months, and published the results in booklet and on our web site.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 14 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

<Welcome to the world of the Moulin Rouge>

In conjunction with the "1894 Visions Lautrec and its era" exhibition, "Nagarer" created life-sized panels of the characters who appear in Lautrec's work. On the event day, "Nagarer" dressed up as a character and developed a skit that imagined the character.

<Welcome to the world of the Moulin Rouge>

Various activities are born every day!
"Art Communicator Archive"

Introduction of "Nagarer" 15 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Practical seminar

This seminar is held as a lecturer by people involved in the practice of creating a place for art that makes the most of the characteristics of the museum and the region. We will continue the cycle of learning and practice, valuing the discovery and awareness of the site.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 16 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

In the 2020 Practical Seminar, we deepened our learning and exchanges about the "Day After Tomorrow Morning Glory Project" that Director Hibino Katsuhiko is developing nationwide and the "Koyomi no Yobune" project that has continued for more than 10 years in the Gifu area. 

Introduction of "Nagarer" 17 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

In the archive-themed practical seminar, while looking back on the activities of the year, we worked on making records to convey the activities of "Nagarer". 

We learned from writing and editing perspectives, and practiced making various media such as textbooks, manga, senryu, and roundtable discussions. We will visualize the significance of the project for society and the value created by the activities.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 18 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Connecting diverse people and themes with art

Through exhibitions and works of the museum, the activities of "Nagarer" will spread to society, just as water turns a water wheel and moisturizes the fields. We are working with people living in Gifu to create a place for creativity and communication.

#SuchatHOME pic. 2 (2020) by HIBINO KatsuhikoOriginal Source: “Such Such Such”

In the "#SuchatHOME: the Museum Meeting with 'Nagarer'", an online viewing program was created because of the Corona disaster, the museum,  and "Nagarer", and participants' homes were connected via Zoom to interact with people from all over Japan. "Nagarer" acted as a facilitator to enjoy art and create a space for the participants to interact through what they felt and what they made.

It was a program that created a new network through the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu.

Introduction of "Nagarer" 19 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

Departure from the museum to each activity

"Nagarer"'s term is three years. We will connect things that are held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu, and disseminate the activities of "Nagarer" to society. We will bring new art and community's change to society by utilizing the heart and network cultivated in "Nagarer".

Introduction of "Nagarer" 20 (2020) by The Museum of Fine Arts, GifuOriginal Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu

"Nagarer" activities have just begun. We are working to create a place for art and communication while repeating encounters and dialogues between museum staff, local people, and "Nagarer". Please pay attention to the future activities of Art Communicator, "Nagarer"!

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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