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March 21, 2003ARTIFACTSDennos Museum Center exhibit examines the art of JapanByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - First it was Egypt. Then it was China. Now, the Dennos Museum Center is mounting its third major international exhibition, on the arts and crafts of Japan. But this one is very different, said museum Director Eugene Jenneman. "Tradition and Transformation: The Art of Japan," which will run from March 22 to June 22, will be much more than a showcase for antiques and historical artifacts, he said. It will also show how contemporary Japanese artists and crafters have adapted ancient materials and techniques to create objects of startling originality. "This is not the kind of 'artifactual' approach we took in our Egyptian and Chinese exhibits," said Jenneman. "What we want to do is examine the art of Japan both in its traditional setting and in the ways in which artists in Japan are responding to that tradition today." Drawn from numerous museum, gallery and private collections, the exhibition will feature exquisite kimonos and contemporary textiles, ikebana basketry and modern bamboo creations, antiquities in lacquer, ceramics and works on paper, with their modern counterparts by artisans, many of whom are living national treasures in Japan today. Most people have at least a cursory knowledge of the traditional arts of Japan, said Jenneman, but not nearly as much attention has been paid to the development of those same techniques in the contemporary world. The same attention to detail and appreciation of the unexpected that once produced exquisite baskets, for example, is now turned to the making of abstract objects of woven reeds. The legendary deftness of Japanese pen-and-ink drawing is now used to produce the anime cartoons that have taken the world by storm. The exhibit will open with a March 22 concert by the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, a six-member taiko drumming group from Toronto. Using a vast array of drums, bells, gongs, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes, the ensemble specializes in an ancient Japanese folk tradition that combines subtle rhythms with thunderous and athletic displays of musicianship. As it happens, northwestern Lower Michigan has a large number of private collections of valuable Japanese artwork, as well as several artists who have studied in Japan. For example, Northport resident Rick Straus has made available several traditional urushi, or lacquer objects from his collection, while artist Clifton Monteith of Lake Ann has helped procure lacquerworks by contemporary artists. "One of the pieces is by Natsuki Kurimoto, who was my own principal teacher in Japan," said Monteith. "Another is by Tskukasa Kofushiwaki, who's actually been in Traverse City before." In the same way, Elk Rapids resident Pat Yamaguchi has allowed the museum to exhibit several examples from her collection of Japanese dolls, City Kitchen chef Nancy Allen will conduct a workshop on the edible art of maki, and local groups will present classes on the Japanese arts of bonsai and ikebana. Inspired by the successful tea ceremony exhibit mounted last year by the Jordan Valley Art Center, a team of volunteers led by Don Fritz and Jim Ison designed and built a traditional Japanese teahouse for the museum's sculpture court. On April 5, it will be the site of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony conducted by Yasuo and Yoko Watanabe of Novi, who presided over the tea ceremonies at the Jordan Valley exhibit. The Dennos Museum has had its own connection to Japan since late 2000, when a sculpture by Japanese artist Mitsuo Fukada entitled "The Earth Harmony," was donated to the museum by the citizens of Shiga Prefecture, which has a Sister State relationship with the State of Michigan. As a way of celebrating this year's exhibit, said Jenneman, the museum is exploring the possibility of creating an artwork to return the favor. One opportunity for that presentation may take place in late fall, when the last event of the exhibition takes place: a museum-sponsored trip to the Japanese historic and artistic centers of Kyoto and Kurashiki. The Oct. 13-21 trip is being coordinated through Classic Travel of Traverse City. The Dennos Museum Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the museum and its current exhibit schedule, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 995-1055. | |
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