From Hara Museum, Tokyo
The current exhibition Be Alive!—Selections from the Hara Museum Collection presents a selection of works by artists whose dynamic expression has made them the vanguard of contemporary expression during the first decade of the 21st century. Here are some of the artworks on view in Gallery I.
Yasumasa Morimura “Look, this is in fashion!” (2005）
Morimura (b. 1951) has been widely acclaimed for his self-portraits in which he disguises himself as actresses, protagonists in famous paintings, or major figures of the twentieth century. This work was inspired by one work from Francisco Goya’s print series “Los Caprichos” which is loaded with sarcasm towards the society of his time. According to Morimura, Goya depicted contradicting states of human mind by portraying trend followers who are lured by the beauty while knowing that such behavior is absolutely ridiculous (from Yasumasa Morimura interview *in Japanese only）. By adding his own interpretation of Goya’s work together with his sense of humor, Morimura made the contemporary version of the original print.
Yasumasa Morimura “Slaughter Cabinet II” (1995) (detail)
The work is based on The Saigon Execution Photo by American photojournalist Eddie Adams taken in 1968 during the Viet Nam War. Here, Morimura disguised himself as observers, the shooter and the man who is about to be executed, and encased the photo in a Buddhist altar. By doing so, he makes us realize that anyone can be an assailant, a victim or a bystander of an incident, or someone who is simply indifferent to what is going on, in our society. Referring to his recent “Requiem” series in which he reflects on the history of the 20th century, Morimura says the series is an expression of condolence to and respect for the people and times that have gone, and is an attempt to convey the records of the past to the next generation. (cited from the exhibition website *in Japanese only）. It may be said that “Slaughter Cabinet II” is a forerunner of the “Requiem” series which began in 2006.
Yasumasa Morimura website http://www.morimura-ya.com (in Japanese only)
Hiroharu Mori “After a Painting” （2004）
A woman pours water in a glass, but the water level does not increase. Many viewers might have been perplexed by this sight. After obtaining a B.A. in Japanese painting, Hiroharu Mori (b. 1969) went to live in the United States for 10 years, during which he started making works using video. This video is based on a painting “The Milkmaid” (ca. 1658/9) by Jan Vermeer. By looping the video, the work becomes neither a still image nor a movie with a story developing. What is shown is a moment suspended in time. Here, the artist questions about the act of “painting” and the work which remains after the act, using video as a medium with which to capture the act. The work was shown during the exhibition “Art Scope 2005/2006—Interface Complex” which was held at the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in 2006.
（Reference material: Hara Museum Review No. 72 / Spring 2006）
Hiroharu Mori website http://hiroharumori.weblogs.jp
Mickalene Thomas “Mama Bush: One of a Kind Two” (2009）
(detail/Please click here for the entire work.)
The work is by Mickalene Thomas (born in 1971), who has become widely known for her portrait paintings of African-American women done in vivid colors and rhinestones. This large-format painting, whose composition is reminiscent of the famous painting by Ingres, “Odalisque,” shows a nude woman, who is Sandra, the artist’s own mother and “No. 1 muse.” By painting her mother, the artist believed she might close the gap that had grown between mother and daughter.
A project featuring works by Thomas, which was conceived of after the Hara Museum acquired this painting, will start from February 17. During the project, a part of the stage setting in her New York studio will be reproduced as an installation, allowing viewers to understand the artist’s approach to her subject matter and her creative process.
The artist is scheduled to come to Japan for this project and will give a talk at the Hara Museum on February 17. Please click here for details.
Works in Gallery I will be on view until Wednesday, February 9.
Please note that Gallery I will be closed for installation change, and will reopen with Mickalene Thomas project on February 17.
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Special Project “Mickalene Thomas—Mama Bush: One of a Kind Two”（Place: Gallery I）
Dates: February 17 (Thurs.) – June 12 (Sun.), 2011
Be Alive!—Selections from the Hara Museum Collection
Dates: January 14 (Fri.) – June 12 (Sun.), 2011
The BloomBUS! free shuttle bus service is available between Shinagawa Station (Takanawa exit) and the Hara Museum every Sunday until June 12, 2011 (Sponsored by: Bloomberg L.P./ Artist: Yasuhiro Suzuki). Please check here for further details.
Hara Museum is now participating in MuPon (museum discount ticket system using iPhone application)!
http://www.tokyoartbeat.com/apps/mupon
Hara Museum websites
http://www.haramuseum.or.jp (website)
http://mobile.haramuseum.or.jp (mobile site)
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