A project by Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage 知られざる芸術と文化のオリンピック展 Discovering the Arts & Culture of the Olympic Games

2020.4.24 FRI – 6.16 TUEVenue:Mitsui Memorial Museum
三井不動産｜OLYMPIC AGORA Official Partner

Exploring the Olympic Games from the Perspective of Art

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, envisioned the Olympic Games as a celebration of sport, art and culture. The movement has since grown as countries and regions all over the world participate today. In essence, the Olympic Games are a cultural invention that fuses sport and art, the human body and spirit, in a celebration of peace and equality to be enjoyed by all of mankind. This exhibition illuminates the Olympic Games through their other facet- art.

Gifts from the Father of the Modern Olympic Games

At the age of just 31, Baron de Coubertin established the International Olympic Committee and is the man behind the revival of the Olympic Games. A man of great talent, he also designed the Olympic rings. Alongside materials previously shown only at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, this exhibition highlights Coubertin's endeavours, his vision, and the idea behind the modern Games.

Olympic Art Competitions, 1912-1948

From Stockholm 1912 to London 1948, the Olympic Games included art competitions in five fields - literature, painting, architecture, sculpture and music. Artists from around the world competed fiercely by submitting sports-themed works, with medals awarded to the winners. Over time, the art and cultural activities organised by the host countries at the Games have evolved. This exhibition brings together valuable works symbolising the arts and culture of the Olympic Games.

  • Corner
    Jean Jacoby
    Games of the VIII Olympiad,
    Paris 1924

  • Rugby
    Jean Jacoby
    Games of the VIII Olympiad,
    Paris 1924

  • Sculpture featuring Ivar BALLANGRUD
    Carl Fagerberg
    Games of the X Olympiad,
    Los Angeles 1932

  • Charles Lindbergh commemorative medal
    Frederic Macmonnies
    Games of the X Olympiad,
    Los Angeles 1932

Official Olympic Posters – Pinnacles of Design

Crossing national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, Olympic posters announce the four-yearly spectacle to people around the world. These posters can be seen as an expression of Olympic artistry, the work of artists who devoted themselves to creating concepts, ideas and designs under the commission of host countries. This collection brings together valuable rare posters, from early works to pieces created by artists who have left their mark on history.

  • Official Poster
    Games of the II Olympiad,
    Paris 1900

  • Official Poster
    Games of the V Olympiad,
    Stockholm 1912

  • The World's Fair Poster
    (French poster)
    Games of the III Olympiad,
    St. Louis 1904

  • Official Poster
    Games of the VIII Olympiad,
    Paris 1924

The Story Behind the Designs of the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964

This highly acclaimed series of four posters, led by a bold design featuring 'Tokyo 1964', the Olympic rings, and a sun evoking the Japanese flag, received international design awards and other accolades. The Tokyo 1964 Games also marked the first time that pictograms were extensively used at an international event. This collection features works produced as part of Japan's commitment to hosting the Olympic Games, introducing the stories behind the various designs that showcased Japanese creativity.

  • Official Poster (No.2)
    Yusaku Kamekura
    Games of the XVIII Olympiad,
    Tokyo 1964

  • Official Poster (No.1)
    Yusaku Kamekura
    Games of the XVIII Olympiad,
    Tokyo 1964

The Opening Ceremonies: Behind the Scenes

An opening ceremony presents an unparalleled opportunity to share the host nation's charms with the rest of the world, bringing together artists to create a single festival reflecting the country's culture and history, as well as the current global situation. The result is a truly composite artwork that expresses the artistic quality of the Olympic Games on a grand scale. This exhibition showcases the costumes worn and properties used, looking behind the scenes of performances to re-examine memorable opening ceremonies as works of art.

  • The drawing for
    a Confucius costume.
    Eiko Ishioka
    Games of the XXIX Olympiad,
    Beijing 2008

  • The costume of Confucius.
    Eiko Ishioka
    Games of the XXIX Olympiad,
    Beijing 2008

  • The costume of
    Mycenaean warrior presented.
    Games of the XXVI Olympiad,
    Atlanta 1996

*Event details are subject to change.

Event Details

  • [Venue] Mitsui Memorial Museum
  • [Period] Friday 24 April - Tuesday 16 June 2020
  • [Hours] 10:00 - 20:00 (Last admission 19:30)
  • [Museum Closures] Open every day during the exhibition period
  • [Admission] Adult: JPY800, Senior high school or university student: JPY400, Junior high school student or younger: Free. Over 70s (proof of age required): JPY600, Disability certificate: Free for the holder and one carer
  • [Organisers] Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (Olympic Agora Official Partner)
  • [Cooperation] Mitsui Memorial Museum

[Transport]

  • - Metro Link Nihonbashi (free shuttle bus): 1 min walk from the Mitsui Memorial
    Museum bus stop
  • - Tokyo Metro Subway Ginza Line: 1 min walk from Mitsukoshimae
    Station
    Exit A7
  • - Tokyo Metro Subway Hanzomon Line: 3 min walk from Mitsukoshimae
    Station
    Exit A7
  • - Tokyo Metro Subway Ginza & Tozai Lines: 4 min walk from Nihonbashi
    Station
    Exit B9
  • - Toei Subway Asakusa Line: 6 min walk from Nihonbashi Station Exit B9
  • - JR Tokyo Station: 7 min walk from Nihonbashiguchi Exit
  • - JR Kanda Station: 6 min walk
  • - JR Sobu Line Rapid Service: 4 min walk from Shin-Nihonbashi Station

*The Mitsui Memorial Museum entrance is located in the 1F atrium of the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower.
*There are no parking facilities at the Mitsui Memorial Museum. Please use public transport when visiting.

Mitsui Memorial Museum
7F Mitsui Main Building, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0022
TEL : TEL : 03-5777-8600 (hello dial)