『日本ヨーロッパ交流展２０１９』が、東京芸術劇場　ギャラリー１（東京・池袋）で開催された。本展は、国内外の芸術家・文芸作家の作品を、日本国内に発信する展覧会であり、今回は日本の現代芸術家の作品240点に、ドイツアーティストの芸術作品26点、オーストリアの芸術作品29点が展示された。

2017年以来の参加となったドイツは、ワーグナーやベートーベン、など優れた先駆者たちを輩出した歴史があり、多くの現代芸術家が創作活動を行なっている。一方、今回初めて参加となるオーストリアもまた、歴史ある芸術大国に数えられる。とくにハプスブルク家や、グスタフ・クリムトらの存在は、世界の美術史を左右したと言っても過言ではない。また今年４月には「日欧宮殿芸術祭」が開催され、世界遺産シェーンブルン宮殿で日本との芸術交流が行われたことも記憶に新しい。

本展には、この２国で活躍する現代芸術家の作品展示はもちろん、その代表としてドイツ人洋画家のクラウス・メンツ・ザンダー氏とラモーナ・ロマーヌ氏、オーストリア人現代芸術家のハイケ・イェローミン氏が来日。日本の芸術家や文芸作家の作品を賞賛すると共に、各国芸術家同士で互いの創作活動や文化について意見交換するなど、熱気溢れる文化交流が行われた。また、10月19日には記念セレモニーが行われ、日墺協会の鹿取克章会長をはじめ日本・ドイツ・オーストリアに縁のある人々が一堂に介し、本展の開催を祝福した。

こうして本展は10月20日に無事終了。主催の一般社団法人・日欧宮殿芸術協会より各国芸術家をはじめとする関係者・協力者に感謝の意が伝えられると共に、今回参加したドイツ・オーストリアとの芸術文化交流をさらに発展させるために尽力する意向が示された。

The “Japan-Europe Exchange Exhibition 2019” was held at Gallery 1 (Ikebukuro, Tokyo) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. This exhibition was an exhibition to allow people all over Japan to learn about the works of artists and writers in and out of the country, and this time, 240 creations by Japanese modern artists, 26 artworks by German artists, and 29 Austrian artworks were exhibited.

Germany, which last participated in 2017, has a history of producing a great number of prominent pioneers such as Wagner and Beethoven, and many modern artists are producing creative works. On the other hand, Austria, which participated for the first time in 2019, can be considered one of the countries with a notable history of and is deeply involved in art. In particular, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the existences of the House of Habsburg and Gustav Klimt influenced the history of art. Also, in April this year, the “Japan Art Festival” was held, and the memory of an art exchange with Japan being held at the World Heritage Site Schönbrunn Palace is still fresh in our minds.

At this exhibition, other than the display of the creations of modern artists who are active in these two countries, as their representatives, the German Western-style artists Klaus Menz-Sander and Ramona Romanu, as well as the Austrian modern artist Heike Jeromin, came to Japan. Along with admiring the works of the Japanese artists and writers, a cultural exchange full of enthusiasm was conducted, which included artists from each country exchanging opinions regarding their creative work and cultures among themselves. Also, a commemorative ceremony was conducted on October 19^th, where people with ties to Japan, Germany, and Austria, such as the President Yoshinori Katori of the Japan-Austria Society, gathered to bless the holding of this exhibition.

Thus, this exhibition ended without incident on October 20^th. The organizer, the Japan-Europe Palace Art Association expressed its gratitude to all parties who are relevant and cooperated, including the artists of each country, and its intention to do its best to further develop the exchange of art and culture with Germany and Austria, the participants of this exhibition.