TAKAKO SAITO DIES AT THE AGE OF 96

Takako Saito died on 30 September 2025.

Her works can be seen in major museums around the world: delicate, tranquil objects made from the simplest of materials, countless variations on chess sets, or stalls reminiscent of toy shops, the ‘You&Me Shops’, where twigs, stones, leaves, shells and everyday objects are exchanged, combined or incorporated into small collaborative works.
(Today, on 2 October, I picked up the first chestnut in the main square).
Takako Saito attached great importance to interaction with her fellow human beings. Play took centre stage in her work; it was her way of communicating, her language.
We owe her unforgettable moments in Hadersdorf.
The great Fluxus artist was a guest at the ‘Ausstellungshaus Spoerri’ in 2018 and ensured that the museum extended into the park on the main square. The residents of Hadersdorf were invited to participate in three playful performances. After the performances, they said:
‘We all agree: let's do it again anytime!’
We are very sad that it is no longer possible to repeat the event, but we should ensure that Takako's cheerfulness remains in the world.
Barbara Räderscheidt

 

Season 2016: ARTIST FRIENDS – JEAN TINGUELY & DANIEL SPOERRI

03 JULY – 30 OCTOBER 2016

August 30 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Jean Tinguely. He was Daniel Spoerri's closest artist friend – and probably also the most important for his development. Tinguely was there when Spoerri found his way into the visual arts, and he was not entirely innocent of it. Together the two artists were involved in the creation of »Nouveau Réalisme« and signed (with Arman, Yves Klein, Raymon Hains and others) the »Manifeste du Nouveau Réalisme« on October 27, 1960 in Paris. 

Loans of Tinguely's fragile apparatus from private collections that have never been seen before, documents from Daniel Spoerri's personal possessions, and numerous letters convey an impression of the enormous energy and playfulness with which these two artist friends stimulated - and certainly often challenged - each other. 

The exhibition, which is unique in Austria, was conceived and curated by guest curator Maxe Sommer. It should also be emphasized that Josef "Seppi" Imhof - for a long time Jean Tinguely's closest collaborator - was actively involved in this show (in the truest sense of the word!)! 

Exhibition period: July 03 – October 30, 2016

Contact

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Hauptplatz 23 | 3493 Hadersdorf | Austria
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Opening Hours - Season 2025

27 March – 02 November 2025
Friday – Sunday
11am – 6pm


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