From Hara Museum ARC, Gunma
Continuing from the fall season, Hara Museum ARC presents works from our permanent collection that have the unique power—like a vitamin tablet—to make us feel better, to give a boost to those of us who may be feeling a little stressed out from modern life, perhaps a little tired or sad from our work, studies or human relations.
Hiroharu Mori, “Cheering for Art”, 2006
In “Cheering for Art” by Hiroharu Mori, a cheering squad repeats its support for art in a direct and powerful manner that is full of wit. Tadanori Yokoo’s “Post War,” on the other hand, shows the divas Misora Hibari, Shizuko Kasagi and other persons hovering over a devastated landscape like beacons of hope to the artist and others who lived through the war. Miranda July’s “The Hallway” presents one sign after another with words on them. As visitors makes their way through the narrow passageway, they might feel as if someone were giving them a push of encouragement as they face the challenges of everyday life. A large-scale work by Mickalene Thomas entitled “Mama Bush: One of a Kind Two,” which is being shown to the public for the first time. Thomas replaces the concubine in “The Grand Odalisque” by Ingres, the master of neoclassicism, with a black woman and embellishes her with rhinestones as a comment on female beauty, race and feminism. Jonathan Borofsky’s “Art is for the Spirit” is symbolic of the Hara Museum Collection’s basic orientation. As the New Year approaches, why not get a dose of cheerfulness from these and other great works of art?
Jonathan Borofsky, “Art is for the Spirit”, 1989
Featured artists: Karel Appel/ Jonathan Borofsky/ Miranda July/ Yayoi Kusama/ Jim Lambie/ Hiroharu Mori/ Mickalene Thomas/ Tadanori Yokoo and others
—————————————-
Hara Museum ARC winter exhibitions
◆Contemporary Art Galleries
“Cheer up! Art can make you happy—Selections from the Hara Museum Collection”
◆Kankai Pavilion
“Celebrating the Auspicious”
Dates: December 18 (Sat.), 2010-January 4 (Tues.), 2011
Closed: January 1 (Sat.), 2011
*the museum may be closed in the event of severe weather.
＜Hara Museum website＞http://www.haramuseum.or.jp
＜Hara Museum mobile site＞http://mobile.haramuseum.or.jp