From Hara Museum ARC
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the work was gifted to the museum as part of a program celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Hara Museum’s founding. This day, Monday, October 8, a national holiday, marked the official debut of the new work, which took two years from inception to completion.
Setsuko Ono, Dreams, 2012
Standing some three meters high, the new work is an outdoor installation made of stainless steel. Through perforations and bending of single pieces of metal, the artist depicts a variety of motifs, including stars, people, and various animals such as cranes. The skillful placement of both pieces gives the work a tremendous sense of movement and power. Blending in with the environment, it seems to have a lightness like that of a leaf fluttering in the wind.
During the inauguration ceremony, speeches were given by the director and the artist, followed by the traditional breaking open of a sake cask. Mr. Hara expressed confidence that the new work would inspire unforgettable visions of a bright future in the many viewers who visit the museum and the neighboring Green Bokujo ranch throughout the year. This sentiment seemed to ring true with the guests who gathered for a long time around the work, sharing their thoughts with each other.
Hara Museum director Toshio Hara and Setsuko Ono
The guests later regrouped at the Cafe d’Art where a specially produced Image Cake awaited them, consisting of neat rows of dainty cheese cakes that melted in their mouths. Other treats that everyone loved included milk and ice cream direct from the Green Bokujo and fresh vegetable cocktails.
Many of the guests joined the guided tour given by the curator in charge. During the tour, a special talk was given by Tetsuro Kano, the artist who produced a work currently on display as part of an art residence program.
Powerful, yet ephemeral and delicate, Dreams is a work that beautifully reflects the clear bright autumn light as it seems to glitter in the wind. Make sure not to miss this work and its stunning location on your next visit!