Keith Haring Art Museum by Atsushi Kitagawara in Yamanashi, Japan

It was one of our favorite places for getting a healthy dose of all things Keith Haring. Aside from our massive collection of prints and books, the store presented another side of Keith’s work. When you stepped into the space every inch was covered with his creativity. It was saturated with his kinetic energy. Each line and figure communicated movement and you couldn’t help but leave feeling energized. With it gone, we’ve been seeking another place filled with his work.

The Keith Haring Museum in Yamanashi Prefecture is our next destination. Once we heard about it, we set our sights on making a trip there. The museum designed by Atsushi Kitagawara combines modern architecture, Japan’s natural enviroment and Keith’s vibrant energy in one place. Stillness meets movement.

From Designer : Atsushi Kitagawara Architects
“This project is located in Kobuchizawa in Yamanashi prefecture, at the foot of theSouthern Japanese Alps. The site is in a rich environment of wild trees, like oak, mountain cherry, larch and red pine. The scheme is divided into a museum block and a spa block. With full respect for the natural environment, each block consists of one-storey buildings carefully placed to protect the existing trees. The project aims to contribute to the local culture and create a new environment in a unique marriage of the museum, the spa and the forest. The museum is designed for the works of the American artist Keith Haring. The rooms, ‘shadow’, ‘giant frame’, ‘hope’ are arranged sequentially to guide visitors through an appreciation and experience of the life and works of Keith Haring.”