From Hara Museum ARC (Gunma)
The second part of this exhibition at the Kankai Pavilion continues to showcase the beautiful ways wind and water have been depicted in art. Among the featured artists are Sesson (Portrait of Lie Zi) and Kano Tan’yu (Dragon and tiger).
Sesson, Portrait of Lie Zi (detail), Muromachi period
A person gently floats with fluttering robe. He is Liezi, the Chinese philosopher and Daoist master of the Spring and Autumn Period, who studied the dao and became able to cause wind to move at will. With delicate brushstrokes, Sesson beautifully renders the air currents flowing through Liezi’s clothing and sense of floating.
Kano Tan’yu, Avalokitesvara appearing from the clam (detail), Edo period
The Avalokitesvara Kannon rises from a huge clam. Does it look like the Kannon is floating on water?
The Hamaguri (“clam”) Kannon is one of the thirty-three manifestations of the Kannon Bosatsu worshiped during the early-modern era of Japan, each one with a different look and purpose. The combination of the clam and Avalokitesvara is a traditional one since olden times. It was said that the exhalation of the large clam gave rise to a mirage. From this folk belief arose paintings of beautiful women or a Kannon emerging from a clam. Another legend speaks of Emperor Wenzong of the Tang dynasty (808–840), who had a liking for clams. One time as he was about to eat one, Kannon Avalokitesvara appeared before him. As we look at the undulating clothing and rolling waves, it almost seems a refreshing breeze is blowing against us.
[Featured Works in Part II]
Maruyama Okyo, Sketch of Yodo River, hand scroll, Edo period
Sesson, Portrait of Lie Zi, hanging scroll, Muromachi period
Kano School, Birds and flowers (originally part of works painted on wall paper and sliding door at Nikko-in Mi’idera temple), pair of six-fold screens, Momoyama-Edo period
Kano Tan’yu, Avalokitesvara appearing from the clam, hanging scroll, Edo period
Kano Tan’yu, Dragon and tiger, pair of hanging scrolls, Edo period
Case of a sword decorated with clematis and war fan pattern in maki-e, Edo period
and others
–from contemporary art collection
Hiroshi Sugimoto, ATLANTIC OCEAN Cliffs of Moher, 1989, 1989
Hiroshi Sugimoto, IONIAN SEA Santa Cesarea, 1990, 1990
Hiroshi Sugimoto, BLACK SEA Inebolu, 1991, 1991
Anish Kapoor, Void, 1992
Zhang Huan, To Raise the Water Level in a Fishpond, 1997
Noe Aoki, Tateyama, 2007
and others
Hara Museum ARC Summer Exhibitions (until Tuesday, August 31)
At the Kankai Pavilion
Scenes of Wind, Scenes of Water Part II
At the Contemporary Art Galleries A, B, C
Selections from the Hara Museum Collection: Tales of Art
[Official website] http://www.haramuseum.or.jp
[Mobile site] http://mobile.haramuseum.or.jp