On Friday, August 8th, we held a Karuizawa seminar, welcoming 29 elementary school students from Karuizawa Town.
We spoke passionately about the Kengo Kuma exhibition to the children who chose our museum from among the 25 courses organized by the town of Karuizawa!
Below are some of the impression cards the children wrote at the end of the chapel.
"I learned things that I wouldn't normally learn, and it was fun. I'd like to come again." - 6th grade student at Chubu Elementary School
"The model was so realistic, I realized how difficult it would be to make something hundreds of times bigger." - 6th grade student at Higashi Elementary School
"I was moved by Kuma-san's feelings towards nature. I want to continue to cherish it." - Nishibe Elementary School 6th grader
"Today, I had fun seeing many of Kengo Kuma's architectural works. I've become a little more interested in art." - Nishibe Elementary School 6th Grader
"I thought it was amazing that they were able to build something without destroying Kuma's natural environment." - Nishibe Elementary School 6th grader
In the limited time of just under an hour, we visited the mountain, hill, forest, and cave exhibition rooms.
I picked out a few models and projects and talked about them.
Finally, we went to the birch and moss chapel actually built by Kengo Kuma.
I hope that today's experience at the museum will be a window into the world of architecture and the profession of architect for the children.
**We have received permission from the principals of each elementary school to publish these photos.