Weaving a Story: From the Modern to the Contemporary in Japanese Art
J.M. Hammond
Innovation, inspiration and the incorporation of new ideas have long been part of art in Japan as much as inherited technique and tradition. Still, no other period has seen such rapid and radical transformation in Japanese art as the 20th century. A new exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo attempts to underscore this journey by examining two conceptual approaches -- that of editing (the acceptance or rejection of disparate ideas and techniques) and that of weaving (incorporating these elements into new works or styles). more...
Keeper of Koishiwara Ware: Zenzo Fukushima
Alice Gordenker
Two years ago, at the age of 58, potter Zenzo Fukushima was tapped to become what is commonly known as a "Living National Treasure." The title, one of Japan's highest honors, is often misunderstood to be recognition of an individual's superior accomplishment. In fact, it is a directive from the nation to preserve something that might otherwise be lost. But like others who have received the mantle, Fukushima is extraordinarily accomplished. He produces some of Japan's most strikingly beautiful ceramics. more...
Kiyoharu Art Colony: Yamanashi's French Connection
Alan Gleason
On the site of a former elementary school with stunning views of the Southern Alps and Mt. Yatsugatake sits one of Japan's most curious art institutions, the Kiyoharu Art Colony. The broad greensward is dotted with an eclectic mix of buildings, some containing art installations and studios, all designed by eminent architects. Much of the art originates in France -- sculptures by César Baldaccini, a chapel dedicated to Georges Rouault -- but the dominant presence is that of Gustave Eiffel, designer of the eponymous tower. more...
