Palabras de bienvenida de Eriko OSAKA

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. lt is my sincere wish that life returns to normal as quickly as possible for everyone.

Yokohama Triennale 2011 will be held as initially scheduled from August 6 till November 6. Just over two months have passed since the unprecedented tragedy of March 11, and people all over Japan are doing their best to overcome the challenges it created. I am sensing that at times like this it is important to reaffirm that which is close to home and return, step by step, to normal life.

Since the Triennale kick-off press conference was held last October, we have done our best to surmount various challenges as they have arisen in the short preparation time available. On March 11, the earthquake struck just minutes before we were due to commence our Tokyo press conference. That conference was cancelled, and I am very thankful that today we are able to hold a conference here in Tokyo.

In the two months since the quake we have considered many issues likely to affect the holding of the Triennale. We are filled with appreciation for the messages we have received from the artists, both in Japan and abroad, wishing us encouragement and also reaffirming their commitment to the event. Those messages deepen our awareness of the seriousness of the tack we face, and we have kept them in mind as we proceed with preparations.

As is suggested in the very title of this year's Triennale, "OUR MAGIC HOUR: How Much of the World Can We Know?" this world we inhabit is full of wonders. lt is my wish that the Triennale will shed light on both the ugliness and beauty of human nature, on the diversity and complexity of the world, and in so doing it will help people take the next step beyond these difficult circumstances.

As values shift towards coexistence and an ethical way of life - towards a more human pace and scale, where quality is prioritized over quantity, slowness over speed - the Yokohama Triennale 2011 will proceed steadily, bringing together many small-scale activities into something much larger.

In addition to compact but high quality presentations at the main venues, Yokohama Museum of Art and NYK Waterfront Warehouse (BankART Studio NYK, Yokohama Triennale 2011 will encompass other venues delivering special tie-up programs as well as the many seeds sown by Yokohama's ongoing Creative City Project agenda. I hope that it will be an enjoyable and special experience for all.

Eriko Osaka - Datos biográficos:
Directora general de la Trienal de Yokohama 2011, Directora del Museo de Arte de Yokohama. En su posición actual y anteriormente en la Japan Foundation y el ICA Nagoya ha organizado numerosas exposiciones internacionales de arte contemporáneo. Fue cuadora senior (1994-1997) y directora artística (1997-2006) del Centro de Arte contemporáneo Art Tower Mito así como del Mori Art Museum (2007-2009). Graduada en Estética e Historia del Arte, Departamento de Filosofía, Universidad de Gakushuin.