[Musashino Art University Museum & Library] Announcement of the Exhibition "Musashino Art University Professor Retirement Commemoration: Keita Kurosaka - Seeing the Trees, Not the Forest"

Figure 1. "Keita Kurosaka - Seeing the Trees, Not the Forest" Main Visual

Musashino Art University Museum & Library will hold the exhibition "Musashino Art University Professor Retirement Commemoration: Keita Kurosaka - Seeing the Trees, Not the Forest."

Keita Kurosaka continues to explore unique animation expressions, incorporating various techniques centered on analog drawing. As the exhibition title, which expresses the artist's creative stance, suggests, his works are characterized by meticulous detail in the settings that support the narrative and in every corner of the screen, earning him recognition both domestically and internationally.

This exhibition traces Kurosaka's creative trajectory through screenings of his works and displays of materials, particularly examining the process of his work production through a wide variety of exhibits including original drawings and storyboards. Furthermore, a special partial introduction to the filming materials of his latest work, which is still in production, will be presented. Witness the current state of expression by Kurosaka, who has continuously evolved his style since the early stages of his career.

Exhibition Overview

Period: Monday, June 15, 2026 - Saturday, July 18, 2026

Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Saturdays, holidays, and special opening days: 10:00–17:00)

Closed: Sundays

Special Opening Day: Sunday, July 12

Admission: Free

Venue: Musashino Art University Museum Exhibition Room 3, Hall

Organizer: Musashino Art University Museum & Library

Cooperation: Musashino Art University Department of Moving Images, Laboratory

Details: https://mauml.musabi.ac.jp/museum/events/23064/

Highlights of the Exhibition

Comprehensive Screening of Animation Works in the Museum Hall

Program screenings will be held daily in the Museum Hall throughout the exhibition period, allowing visitors to view approximately 30 of Kurosaka's works, from early pieces to recent ones.

Figure 2. From "Metamorphosis Work No. 3 <Mixed Juice>" (1985) Figure 3. From "AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS" (2006) Figure 4. From "Outline" (2012)

Scheduled Screening Works:

"Metamorphosis Work No. 2" (1984) / "Sonata No. 1" (1985) / "Metamorphosis Work No. 3 <Mixed Juice>" (1985) / "Metamorphosis and Recomposition on the Theme of Rembrandt" (1986) / "Song of the Sea" (1988) / "Tale of the Earthworm" (1989) / "Private City" (1990) / "Haruko's Adventure" (1991) / "Age of Boxes" (1992) / "Phonograph No. 13" (1993) / "ATAMA" (1994) / "The Morning Papa Flew" (1997) / "DRAGON" (1999) / "Winter Day, Haiku No. 23" (2003) / "Mochibei" (2005) / "WATASHINO KAO" (2005) / "AGITATED SCREAMS OF MAGGOTS" (2006) / "MIDORI-KO" (2010) / "Outline" (2012) / "Cheerful Landscapes" (2015) / "MATIERICA" (2017) / "Keiko Yamakawa Doesn't Look Back" (2017) / "Unruly Lines" (2019) / "A Drawing for Mam" (2020) / "Living Wall" (2020) / "Pink Butterfly" (2026) / "Sonata '75" (2026)

Exhibition of Valuable Works and Materials

In the museum exhibition room, visitors can explore the origins of Kurosaka's works through various exhibits, including paintings he created before venturing into animation, as well as original drawings, storyboards, and setting materials. Furthermore, a special partial release of video materials and image boards for his latest feature-length animated film, conceived in 2022 and currently in production, will be presented.

Figure 5. "Grandfather's Deathbed" (1977) Oil painting, F6 size Figure 6. "Sonata No. 1" (1985) Filming material Figure 8. "MIDORI-KO" (2010) Filming material

Figure 7. "MATIERICA" (2017) Image board

Figure 9. "Outline" (2012) Storyboard

Related Events

① 16mm Film Screening + Lecture

Date & Time: Saturday, June 20, 15:00–16:30 (Doors open 14:30)

Venue: Museum Hall

Admission free / First-come, first-served (no reservation required) / Please come directly to the venue.

② Keita Kurosaka Lecture

Date & Time: Saturday, June 27, 14:30–16:30 (Doors open 14:00)

Venue: Museum Hall

Admission free / First-come, first-served (no reservation required) / Please come directly to the venue.

Artist Biography

Keita Kurosaka

Animation artist. Born in Tokyo in 1956. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Oil Painting in 1979. Served as a professor in the Department of Moving Images, Faculty of Creative Thinking and Design, Musashino Art University until March 2026.

Began producing stop-motion animation works in the early 1980s, and his independently produced 8mm film "Metamorphosis Work No. 2" (1984) was selected for the 8th PFF (Pia Film Festival). He then continued to release short animated films, Annecy International Animation