Did you know that a toilet company could revolutionize art? The TOTO Gallery Ma is an architectural design exhibition hall. It is celebrated for its innovative approach to displaying contemporary design concepts. This unique venue is in Minato City, Tokyo.
TOTO Gallery Ma occupies the third and fourth floors of the TOTO Nogizaka Building. The gallery seamlessly blends art and architecture. Visitors encounter topics reflecting the latest trends in architecture. Each visit promises a fresh experience.
TOTO, Japan’s largest toilet producer, has innovated since 1917. In 1985, TOTO embarked on exhibiting architects and designers. Five artists including Tadao Ando imagined a space for young architects. They wanted to present foreign and Japanese works. At that time architecture was not yet considered a cultural element.
The term “Ma” evokes space or emptiness between two things. It signifies absence and gaps in time. This concept is essential to Japanese culture. It embraces architecture, gardens, theater, literature, and painting.
TOTO Gallery Ma organizes four annual exhibitions. Guest artists are selected according to their creations. They take over the gallery’s levels and create their own universe. The library offers interesting books in several languages. These include monographs of works exhibited over the years. It is a bible for fans of the genre.
Momoyo Kaijima is a committee member. She was born in Tokyo in 1969. Kaijima established Atelier Bow-wow with Yoshiharu Tsukamoto in 1992. She has taught at Harvard, ETHZ, and Yale. In 2022, she received the Wolf Prize in Architecture. Since 2017, she has been a Professor of Architectural Behaviorology at ETHZ.
The gallery is near Nogizaka Station. The entrance is on the 3rd floor. Exhibition halls are on the 3rd and 4th floors. Topics vary so check in advance. The TOTO Gallery Ma is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and holidays. Admission is free.
Some visitors say it’s a facility run by TOTO without any business. Others say it’s a revered site for students of architecture. One visitor said it’s small and time passes at a leisurely pace. Another visitor noted English brochures are available. If you seek art or infrastructure development, it is a good stop. Despite renovations, the gallery captivates with its dedication to architectural innovation.