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Celebrating Culture that Connects Us: The 2021 Praemium Imperiale Award Ceremonies

“I believe profoundly in the power of nature and of culture to help us to understand and celebrate the human spirit” ーYo-Yo Ma.

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2021 Praemium Imperiale recipient Yo-Yo Ma is congratulated at the award ceremony by Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi.

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The Japan Art Association is celebrating the 32nd Praemium Imperiale Laureates in ceremonies in Tokyo,  Paris, New York, and Canberra, from mid-October to mid-December, 2021. 

Each of the 2021 laureates has been recognized for her or his individual achievements in the arts of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture or Music, their impact on the arts internationally, and their role in enriching the global community.

Japan Art Association Chairman and Vice Chairman with Praemium Imperiale laureate in Music Yo-Yo Ma.

In Tokyo on October 29, Yo-Yo Ma, this year’s laureate in Music, said: 

This prize inspires me to continue my lifelong mission to find connections between peoples, in order to build trust and search for truth, so that we might better serve one another and work together to imagine and build a better world.

Yo-Yo Ma’s words emphasized the role of culture and the arts in society, building bridges of understanding and opening doors of hope.

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The inspiration and work of Mr. Yo-Yo Ma and his fellow laureates in 2021 also presage the direction of arts in the future. 

The association also recognized Sebastião Salgado (Brazil/France) in the category of Painting, Mr. James Turrell (U.S.A.) in the category of Sculpture, and Mr. Glenn Murcutt (Australia) in the category of Architecture. Due to ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, recipients other than Mr. Yo-Yo Ma are receiving their awards in their home countries.

The Praemium Imperiale Award Ceremonies

Music Prize: Yo-Yo Ma in Tokyo

In the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi, the Japan Arts Association gathered in Tokyo on October 29 to present the 2021 Praemium Imperiale Award in Music to the inspirational and globally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Japan Art Association Chairman Hisashi Hieda with Music laureate Yo-Yo Ma. Behind are members of the Praemium Imperiale selection committee in the category of Music.

Japan Art Association chairman Mr. Hisashi Hieda opened the October 29 ceremony, saying “The Praemium Imperiale was established to contribute to the peace and well-being of the people of the world through the arts, and Mr. Yo-Yo Ma is a very worthy recipient of this award.” He added praise for the new laureate's wide ranging music activities and noting in particular his recent efforts, saying, “Inspiring cello sound by Mr. Yo-Yo Ma has soothed, encouraged and united those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Princess Hitachi read the following message on behalf of Prince Hitachi, Honorary Patron of the Japan Art Association:

“It is a great regret for me to learn that the Awards Ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus infection following last year’s ceremony. In such circumstances, I am delighted that the medal will be awarded today to Mr. Yo-Yo Ma. I wish you all the best in the future and good health.”

The artist thanked the association upon receiving the commemorative medal and the Japan Art Association testimonial letter from Mr. Hieda. He then expressed his feelings about the Praemium Imperiale, saying: 

I believe profoundly in the power of nature and of culture to help us to understand and celebrate the human spirit.

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Following the presentation, the 2021 Music laureate took questions from the media. Responding enthusiastically to each one, he generously shared his philosophy on the role of arts in building connections and understanding between us. 

Before leaving the room, Yo-Yo Ma brought out his cello and for the Japan Arts Association, and the Praemium Imperiale selection committee members and all of those present, played the gift of the Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major.  

His words and deeds echoed in a very tangible way the philosophy of the late Prince Takamatsu, who had served as honorary patron of the Association for 58 years. It was Prince Takamatsu’s wish for Japan to promote world peace through the arts. 

The ceremony, severely limited in attendance due to continuing COVID-19 precautions, took place at the Okura Hotel in the Toranomon District of Tokyo’s central Minato ward. Members of Music Selection Committee, including Mr. Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, President of Suntory Hall and also a cellist, and Mr. Michiyoshi Inoue, currently conductor at the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, were also present. Mr. Tsutsumi made a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Committee.

RELATED: ‘Head, Heart and Hands’: Praemium Imperiale Laureate Yo-Yo Ma on Inspirations in his Music

(More to follow on Yo-Yo Ma’s comments and the direction of the Praemium Imperiale in culture and the arts in an upcoming article.)

Sebastião Salgado (left), Praemium Imperiale laureate in the category of Painting.

Painting Prize: Sebastião Salgado in Paris 

Ten days earlier on October 18, a Praemium Imperiale ceremony was held at the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador in Paris to present the commemorative medal to Mr. Sebastião Salgado (Brazil/France), 2021 laureate in the category of Painting.

Mr. Salgado was recognized for his powerful works that “put a spotlight on the dispossessed and exploited, the beauty of nature, and the fragility of the world and its inhabitants.” 

RELATED: The ‘Gift of Pictures’: Praemium Imperiale Laureate Sebastião Salgado on his Photography

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Japan’s Ambassador to France Mr. Junichi Ihara opened the ceremony by conveying the words of His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi, Honorary Patron of the Japan Art Association, as follows: "Originally, I would have liked to see you in Tokyo and present you with the medal. But due to the coronavirus infection, the Awards Ceremony was canceled, which is a great regret. I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on your receiving this award.”

Mr. Salgado, who was presented the Praemium Imperiale medal by Ambassador Ihara, expressed his delight, saying, "It is a great honor to receive this award.”

After the ceremony, a commemorative photo was taken with Ambassador Ihara, Mr. and Mrs. Salgado, and a small number of friends of Mr. Salgado. This was followed by a luncheon attended by these members in honor of Mr. Salgado.

David Rockefeller, Jr. looks on as Ambassador William H. Luers presents a testimonial letter to artist James Turrell, the 2021 Praemium Imperiale Laureate in Sculpture, at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in New York on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (Stuart Ramson/AP Images for The Japan Art Association)

Sculpture Prize: James Turrell in New York

On October 19, a Praemium Imperiale ceremony was held at the residence of the Consul General of Japan in New York, presided over by Consul General and Ambassador Mr. Kanji Yamanouchi, to present the commemorative medal to Mr. James Turrell, the 2021 laureate in the category of Sculpture. 

RELATED: ‘Light’: Praemium Imperiale Laureate James Turrell on Art and the Spectrum of Human Perception

Mr. Turrell was particularly recognized for the role light plays within his work, and the concept that the “idea of going inside to greet the light ー is going inside to greet the light that is within everyone.”

The ceremony was moderated by Mr. David Rockefeller Jr., Honorary Advisor to the Praemium Imperiale, and included video profiles of the laureates.

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Ambassador Yamanouchi conveyed the greeting of His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi, Honorary Patron of the Japan Art Association, and handed the medal to Mr. Turrell. Mr. William Luers, Honorary Advisor, presented the testimonial letter, following which Mr. Turrell delivered his thank you remarks.

Glenn Lowry, Director of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and previous laureates, including Emilia Kabakov (2008 Sculpture), Cindy Sherman (2016 Painting) and Billie Tsien (2019 Architecture), were also present.

At the end of the ceremony, there was a photo session with Mr. Turrell, Ambassador Yamanouchi, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Luers and the previous laureates. This was followed by a reception.

Glenn Murcutt, Praemium Imperiale laureate in the category of Architecture. (Photo: Anthony Browell)

Architecture Prize to Glenn Murcutt in Canberra

The Praemium Imperiale award in the category of Architecture is awarded to Mr. Glenn Murcutt of Australia. Mr. Murcott’s work focuses on “living with the landscape” and building without harsh impact on the environment. 

RELATED: ‘Living with the Landscape’: Praemium Imperiale Laureate Glenn Murcutt on Discovering Great Architecture

Mr. Murcutt was also unable to come to Japan for the presentation of his award. Instead, it will be presented to him at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra, Australia, in the afternoon of December 14, by Ambassador Shingo Yamagami. A small number of Mr. Murcutt's friends are also expected to attend the ceremony.

About the Japan Art Association 

The Japan Art Association dates to 1867, during the Meiji era of Japanese history when a prominent member of the Meiji government presided over its beginnings, with a member of the imperial family as its patron. 

Renamed the Japan Art Association in 1887, the organization took on the exhibition and promotion of the arts in Japan and internationally. The Praemium Imperiale Awards were created in 1988 as part of the organization’s 100 year anniversary celebration. It’s central guideline is to promote peace through the arts.

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Author: JAPAN Forward

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