Exhibit Featuring "Tapestry In Architecture" Out Until June '09
Organized as part of the year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the National Association of Japan-American Societies (NAJAS), "Tapestry in Architecture: Creating Human Spaces" is the first U.S. exhibition of the textile work of Japanese artist Mitsuko Asakura.
Highlighting intricately woven, delicately patterned works specifically designed to complement architectural interiors, the exhibition showcases 11 hanging pieces replete with photos and a video essay depicting the creation process.
The exhibit begins its North American tour at Japan Society (July 10-August 14, 2008), then travels to Harvard University’s Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Cambridge, MA (September 15-November 14, 2008), the Morikami Museum and Gardens, Delray Beach, FL (December 16, 2008-February 22, 2009) with a final presentation at the American Institute of Architects Headquarters Gallery, Washington, DC (March 12-June 26, 2009).
It is first in a series of smaller-scale summer exhibitions at Japan Society that provide an intimate look at specialized subjects, private collections, nontraditional media, and more.
"Tapestry in Architecture: Creating Human Spaces" features works specifically commissioned by clients including Hie Shrine for its new building in downtown Tokyo, Pfizer Global Research and Development for its laboratories in Nagoya, and Resona Bank in Osaka. Because the works are integral components of these buildings, rather than remove them for the exhibition, Asakura has created exact copies to travel in the exhibition. The dramatic enhancement of these architectural spaces, ranging from a cutting-edge pharmaceutical laboratory in Nagoya, Japan to a shrine in Tokyo, Japan, with site specific tapestries is documented in the exhibition by large-format photographs that show some of the works in situ.
This exhibition is made possible by Canon. This exhibition is also sponsored by The Tokyo Club. Additional support is provided by Kajima Corporation, Takenaka Corporation and Shimizu Corporation. Transportation assistance at Japan Society is provided by Japan Airlines. Exhibitions at Japan Society are also made possible in part by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and the Friends of the Gallery. Installations at Japan Society Gallery are supported by a generous gift from Henry Cornell.
About Mitsuko Asakura
The daughter of an artist and dyer, Mitsuko Asakura was born and raised in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Growing up helping her father in his dyeing workshop and surrounded by the traditional craft artists of Kyoto, Asakura developed a passion for weaving. Deeply immersed in the traditional textile culture of Japan, she created her own original style of textile art by mixing traditional fiber dyeing with experimental shapes. Asakura’s tapestries are notable for their sensitive use of color and unusual forms. All of her dyes are handmade, often featuring a combination of natural ingredients sourced in the nature surrounding Kyoto and cutting-edge chemical substances. The interplay of the natural and man-made materials in the dye creates vibrant and subtle colors that distinguish her work. These dyes create vibrant and subtle colors that distinguish her work. Most striking is her series of works entitled Oritatamu, which she first started creating in the 1970s. Oritatamu is a play on Japanese words which translates to “weaving and/or folding.” Unlike her contemporaries who were also exploring three-dimensional textile forms that were free-standing, Asakura has always created her dimensional work to be hung on a surface like a tapestry.
Along with her many commissions, Asakura’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions both solo and group, primarily in Japan.
About NAJAS
The National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational, cultural and business programs about Japan and U.S.-Japan relations to the general public through its member Japan and Japan-America Societies. NAJAS is the only national non-profit network in the United States dedicated to public education about Japan. It consists of approximately 40 independent Japan-related organizations located in 32 cities around the country.
About Japan Society Gallery
Japan Society Gallery is among the premier institutions in the United States for the exhibition, research, and publication of Japanese art. Extending in scope from prehistory to the present, the Gallery's exhibitions have covered topics as disparate as classical Buddhist sculpture, contemporary photography, and media arts. The Gallery presents two major exhibitions each year, working with leading museums in Japan, the United States, Asia, and Europe to bring together objects of cultural significance, historical importance, and high aesthetic value. In conjunction with exhibitions, Japan Society Gallery publishes scholarly catalogues and conducts educational programs, including lectures, guided tours, and symposia of international importance. Through these activities, the Gallery contributes to the scholarship, connoisseurship, and appreciation of the art and culture of Japan and East Asia.
About Japan Society
Founded in 1907 by prominent New York City businesspeople and philanthropists, Japan Society has evolved over 100 years into an internationally recognized nonprofit organization presenting a full range of programs within arts and culture, business, education, family, and public policy. Through over 100 events annually, Japan Society creates rich encounters and exchanges that offer opportunities to experience Japanese culture; foster sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the United States, Japan, and East Asia; and improve access to information on Japan.
Highlighting intricately woven, delicately patterned works specifically designed to complement architectural interiors, the exhibition showcases 11 hanging pieces replete with photos and a video essay depicting the creation process.
The exhibit begins its North American tour at Japan Society (July 10-August 14, 2008), then travels to Harvard University’s Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Cambridge, MA (September 15-November 14, 2008), the Morikami Museum and Gardens, Delray Beach, FL (December 16, 2008-February 22, 2009) with a final presentation at the American Institute of Architects Headquarters Gallery, Washington, DC (March 12-June 26, 2009).
It is first in a series of smaller-scale summer exhibitions at Japan Society that provide an intimate look at specialized subjects, private collections, nontraditional media, and more.
"Tapestry in Architecture: Creating Human Spaces" features works specifically commissioned by clients including Hie Shrine for its new building in downtown Tokyo, Pfizer Global Research and Development for its laboratories in Nagoya, and Resona Bank in Osaka. Because the works are integral components of these buildings, rather than remove them for the exhibition, Asakura has created exact copies to travel in the exhibition. The dramatic enhancement of these architectural spaces, ranging from a cutting-edge pharmaceutical laboratory in Nagoya, Japan to a shrine in Tokyo, Japan, with site specific tapestries is documented in the exhibition by large-format photographs that show some of the works in situ.
This exhibition is made possible by Canon. This exhibition is also sponsored by The Tokyo Club. Additional support is provided by Kajima Corporation, Takenaka Corporation and Shimizu Corporation. Transportation assistance at Japan Society is provided by Japan Airlines. Exhibitions at Japan Society are also made possible in part by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and the Friends of the Gallery. Installations at Japan Society Gallery are supported by a generous gift from Henry Cornell.
About Mitsuko Asakura
The daughter of an artist and dyer, Mitsuko Asakura was born and raised in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Growing up helping her father in his dyeing workshop and surrounded by the traditional craft artists of Kyoto, Asakura developed a passion for weaving. Deeply immersed in the traditional textile culture of Japan, she created her own original style of textile art by mixing traditional fiber dyeing with experimental shapes. Asakura’s tapestries are notable for their sensitive use of color and unusual forms. All of her dyes are handmade, often featuring a combination of natural ingredients sourced in the nature surrounding Kyoto and cutting-edge chemical substances. The interplay of the natural and man-made materials in the dye creates vibrant and subtle colors that distinguish her work. These dyes create vibrant and subtle colors that distinguish her work. Most striking is her series of works entitled Oritatamu, which she first started creating in the 1970s. Oritatamu is a play on Japanese words which translates to “weaving and/or folding.” Unlike her contemporaries who were also exploring three-dimensional textile forms that were free-standing, Asakura has always created her dimensional work to be hung on a surface like a tapestry.
Along with her many commissions, Asakura’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions both solo and group, primarily in Japan.
About NAJAS
The National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational, cultural and business programs about Japan and U.S.-Japan relations to the general public through its member Japan and Japan-America Societies. NAJAS is the only national non-profit network in the United States dedicated to public education about Japan. It consists of approximately 40 independent Japan-related organizations located in 32 cities around the country.
About Japan Society Gallery
Japan Society Gallery is among the premier institutions in the United States for the exhibition, research, and publication of Japanese art. Extending in scope from prehistory to the present, the Gallery's exhibitions have covered topics as disparate as classical Buddhist sculpture, contemporary photography, and media arts. The Gallery presents two major exhibitions each year, working with leading museums in Japan, the United States, Asia, and Europe to bring together objects of cultural significance, historical importance, and high aesthetic value. In conjunction with exhibitions, Japan Society Gallery publishes scholarly catalogues and conducts educational programs, including lectures, guided tours, and symposia of international importance. Through these activities, the Gallery contributes to the scholarship, connoisseurship, and appreciation of the art and culture of Japan and East Asia.
About Japan Society
Founded in 1907 by prominent New York City businesspeople and philanthropists, Japan Society has evolved over 100 years into an internationally recognized nonprofit organization presenting a full range of programs within arts and culture, business, education, family, and public policy. Through over 100 events annually, Japan Society creates rich encounters and exchanges that offer opportunities to experience Japanese culture; foster sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the United States, Japan, and East Asia; and improve access to information on Japan.
Labels: architecture, exhibits
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