Four times Two: half a century of art from the collection

Four times Two (1967), an artwork of four knots by the Japanese-American artist Shinkichi Tajiri, forms the trigger and the starting point for this collection presentation, which spans half a century (1965 - 2015). Tajiri’s exposure to racism and exclusion had a decisive influence on his life and work. As a young man he experienced war and hatred, and he yearned for solidarity.

Tajiri’s distinctive knot is a recognisable symbol of connection and unity all over the world. Bringing people together, however, is no easy task. It requires courage and an environment that does not recoil from things that are different or unfamiliar. And not everything can be solved just like that. Shinkichi Tajiri’s knot stands for that as well: the world is complex and confusing, and human relationships are often complicated.