Invisibleness is Visibleness: International Contemporary Art Collection of a Salaryman-- Daisuke Miyatsu

Entering into the twenty-first century, art has transformed from an aristocratic privilege into a cultural wave that reaches to the general public. Art collection is no longer exclusive to the wealthy, but something available to everyone. This exhibition presents the contemporary art collection of Daisuke Miyatsu – a Japanese art collector and “salaryman.” The remarkable enthusiasm and vision of Miyatsu towards art made possible for him to collect over 300 contemporary works within a period of 17 years. For this exhibition, with Natasha Lo as curator, Miyatsu selected a collection of 61 works from 51 artists. Starting from the early works of Yayoi Kusama, the exhibition also displays many concept works that are unreachable even for normal art collectors. In addition, the exhibition presents video works from different generations and genres, while transitioning into a focus on the new generation of Asian artists. The exhibition concludes in a gathering of new media art works by world-renowned artists, and the “Dream House” - a collaborative creation project in which Miyatsu portrays his love for art.

The inclination and persistence of people towards certain objects and subjects often becomes an enslaving “addiction.” The exhibition “Invisibleness is Visibleness” does not only depicts Miyatsu’s extraordinary addiction of contemporary art, but also explores the social and cultural effects brought by art collectors as they support and promote galleries and new artists. In the ecosystem of “art – artist – art industry – art institution,” there are all kinds of visible and invisible relationships, including the emotional connection between art collectors and art works, their mutual support and growth with artists, and collaboration and exchange with art institutions. These relationships weave the invisible yet exceptionally influential role of the art collector within the body of contemporary art.

“Invisibleness is Visibleness” is MOCA Taipei’s first exhibition in ten years to collaborate solely with an art collector of contemporary art. Before Miyatsu and his addiction of art which stimulated him to continuously collect art, there was the American married couple Vogel who donated all their collection to the National Gallery. Inspired by the couple, Miyatsu successfully integrated his own artistic vision, ideology of art collection and lifestyle, thus making the planning and holding of this exhibition possible. Delighted at being surrounded by art and living with art, Miyatsu shares his impressive art collection with the people of Taiwan. At the same time, his exhibition in itself is a testimony to a famous quote which can be found in his book: “In case you are interested in art, please have the courage to take the first step in art collection, because it is possible that within the works you possess are the ‘masterpieces of tomorrow.’”