Beginnings of the Ube City Sculpture Installation Project

Abstract

Ube City's sculpture installation project began in 1961. As a ‘town planning through sculptures project’ this marked a first attempt to install sculptures as works of art within an urban context according to a long term, evolving plan. It was also the first time in Japan that a large number of abstract works were selected for installation. However, results from an analysisinto the expectations held by the people involved in the project early on reveala wide difference of opinion. Indeed, there was a great difference in the expectations held by those representing Ube City and the artists. The former were seeking to improve the urban environment through sculpture while the latterexpected to be able to produce their creations free from any public interferenceor conditions. The art critic Hijikata Teiichi acted as mediator between the conflicting parties and was instrumental in bringing together the sculpture installation project with an outdoor sculpture exhibition to help resolve the differences. This initiative in itself served as a significant contribution to the development of sculpture.