The Museum on the Mountain (TV 1998)

A Japanese mother and daughter wish to start an art museum with their collection. The location is a nature preserve deep in the Japanese mountains. I.M. Pei is contracted as the architect. ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Rosen

Storyline

A Japanese mother and daughter wish to start an art museum with their collection. The location is a nature preserve deep in the Japanese mountains. I.M. Pei is contracted as the architect. The project faces several hurdles: the building must be no taller than forty feet, the roof must be sloped, and so on. The architect, owners, and builders surmount all obstacles. A magnificent and innovative bridge connects visitors to the tunnel by which they enter the museum. After construction is complete, a large percentage of the building is covered with earth, which is then reforested to give the illusion that the site was hardly disturbed. Interviews with I.M. Pei show his awe and gratitude at being involved with such a grand project.

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Plot Keywords:

museum | bridge | construction | subterranean | forest | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Peter Rosen Productions, Inc.

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

Japanese English

Filming Locations:

Kyoto, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Peter Rosen Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Fascinating, Inspiring Story of Building a Museum Into a Mountain!

I saw this movie on Ovation TV and it tells the story of two Japanese women (mother and daughter) who donate their art collection and to building a special museum to contain it. The location is in the mountains outside of Kyoto. It was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible and to blend into the mountain, 75% or more of the structure is actually underground with skylights bringing in light. Then a bridge was built across a ravine that must be crossed on foot so no cars are in sight. The program follows the design and building and the extensive gardens and trees that are added -- with interviews with architect I.M.Pei and others. I would love to be able to buy this video and see it again if I could find it!