La Ruche in Japan
A Japanese art dealer dreamed to make space for artists and people who loved art in Japan. We introduce La Ruche, the artist studio he realized in Japanese countryside.
La RucheKiyoharu art colony
La Ruche is a mysterious structure in Montparnasse district of Paris. The three story building made of bricks and metal has 16edges and vertices.
la rucheKiyoharu art colony
When the time of Belle Époque, La Ruche had been used as studio by Marc Chagall, Ossip Zadkine and other artists.
Originally La Ruche was built by Gustave Eiffel for wine pavilion of Exposition Universelles in Paris1900.
“In side of La Ruche in Japan:central staircase”
la rucheKiyoharu art colony
After Exposition, sculptor Alfred Boucher bought La Ruche and re-erected it for artist studios and lend with cheap rent.
By the way, would you know another La Ruche exists in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan?
Two hours from Tokyo. In Kiyoharu Art Colony, you could find the characteristic 16gon structure.
La RucheKiyoharu art colony
Why is that in Japan? The story dates back 60 years. In 1960s, original La Ruche was in danger of demolition. The artists stayed in La Ruche held a demonstration against the decision.
And that time Japanese art dealer Chozo Yoshii happened to be there. Yoshii was attracted to La Ruche and thought to buy the structure and move it to Japan before demolition.
At last the new mayor decide to cancel the demolition. That news made Yoshii feel both happy and sorrow.
Sakura trees and La RucheKiyoharu art colony
Even after returned to Japan he couldn’t forget La Ruche. That he planned to build another La Ruche in his Art Colony based on the original design drawings.
la rucheKiyoharu art colony
That’s why La Ruche is in Japan.
In 1981, La Ruche in Japan was opened for artist.
While some rooms are used museum-shop and reference room, the other rooms aren’t open for general because artists stay and devote for their works even now, like the one in Paris.
La Ruche by Gustave EiffelKiyoharu art colony
Kiyoharu Art Colony
