Today’s topic comes from Hara Museum ARC in Gunma, and it’s a delicious one. Namely, it’s the new “image cake” at the Café d’Art. As all those who follow this blog may know, the image cake is a specially produced treat that takes as its motif artwork that is currently showing at the museum. It’s a special menu item that is served only on Saturdays and Sundays. For previous blogs about image cakes, see the following links:
https://www.art-it.asia/en/u/HaraMuseum_e/JI8gFMEnKRH2kBPTtcdl/
https://www.art-it.asia/en/u/HaraMuseum_e/gntTYVf5U7N8JpwI019E/
The inspiration for this edition of the image cake comes from a new installation by the cutting-edge artist from South Korea Lee Bul entitled A Fragmentary Anatomy of Every Setting Sun, which debuted at Hara Museum ARC on March 20.
Here it is! A three-layer concoction consisting of a chocolate sponge cake base, caramel and chocolate mousse layers, and a sparkling topping of rum jelly. But there is something else in there. Can you guess what it is?
In Lee Bul’s work, an object inside of a box is multiplied endlessly by the effects of mirrors. And now that work is reflected in the form of this amazing cake. Each layer is distinct in flavor, as well as visually, but they all combine together to produce a taste that is slightly bitter, yet entirely delicious, while the aroma of the rum is almost intoxicating.
Turning to the current exhibition, Selections from the Hara Museum Collection—Showcasing Recent Acquisitions, we have another debut at the Hara Museum ARC. It’s the work by Miranda July called Corridor.
Miranda July, Corridor, 2008
Photo: Keizo KIOKU
It’s a work that one views and experiences while walking down a long corridor. What thoughts do people have after making their way to the end and then returning to the entrance? I suspect each experience will be a very personal one. July is a multi-talented artist who works in various fields without regard for traditional boundaries. In 2005, she won the Caméra d’Or prize at Cannes for the film Me and you and Everyone We Know, which she wrote, directed and acted in.
Soon the cherry blossom season will be upon us at Hara Museum ARC. Starting from around the middle of April, the pink flowers will burst open in full glory. There are so many varieties of cherry here that the pink extravaganza usually lasts until the end of May. Stay tuned to future blogs for cherry blossom updates!