On Kawara

04/09/2010

Dear Sir / Madam,

The Stedelijk Museum would warmly like to invite you to participate in On Kawara’s work One Million Years. This unique project is part of the temporary program in the museum’s renovated old building: The Temporary Stedelijk at the Stedelijk Museum.

Every day for over four months, participants will read aloud from One Million Years, a series of books by Japanese conceptual artist On Kawara. This work will not just be on display in the museum – what makes it extra special is that you can actively participate. One Million Years comes to life by being read aloud in different places all over the world. The exhibition of this work at the Stedelijk will give you the opportunity to be part of this ongoing international art project.

The Stedelijk Museum would very much like to invite you to read from On Kawara’s work for one hour, in English. During the museum’s opening hours, two people, always one man and one woman, will read aloud a selection from On Kawara’s books. The unusual thing about these books is that they consist entirely of years: One Million Years (Past) counts one million years back in time and One Million Years (Future) counts one million years into the future. The Stedelijk will start reading where our predecessors stopped.

Our website (www.stedelijk.nl) provides further background information about the artist and the project. You can enroll simply by filling out the enclosed form and returning it via e-mail address onkawara@stedelijk.nl. Alternatively, you can complete the form on our website. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Do you know other people who are interested in the Stedelijk Museum and contemporary art? They are also very welcome to register and participate in On Kawara’s work. All readers will of course have free entrance to the museum on the day they take part.

Being part of One Million Years is an exceptional opportunity to experience On Kawara’s work personally and a wonderful way to renew your acquaintance with the Stedelijk Museum. We very much hope that you will want to contribute to this amazing project.

With warm regards,

Ann Goldstein
Director