Come Rain or Shine – Mai MIYAKE

[Title] Come Rain or Shine
[Artist] Mai MIYAKE
[Date] May 17 – July 17 2007

In Japan, the koi (carp) is a veritable symbol of the month of May. These latest Maison Hermès windows depict a combination of two different carp-related stories. The first addresses the so-called auspicious “gateway to success” theme, in which only carp that manage to climb their way back up a steep waterfall achieve distinction and turn into dragons. The second is the renowned “finishing touch saga,” in which a Chinese painter forgets to fill in the eyes on a picture of a dragon that he has been working on. When he does rush to paint the eyes, the dragon springs boldly out of the painting.

In the left window, Hermès products are arranged much like utensils for the tea ceremony, carefully laid out in a teahouse room. A hanging scroll of a rising dragon appears to be nestled in alcove-like space, with the dragon literally emerging from the canvas. The “Vie du Fleuve” scarves used to fashion the horizontal bar-like strips at the top and the bottom of scroll and the two vertical cords above the actual drawing envision the flow of the Yellow River, while the dragon breaking out from the left embodies the transit point leading to the window on the right. The dragon, a sacred creature believed to manipulate the timing, rainfall and winds during the rainy season, is mounted with a saddle in the image of a horse – the traditional symbol of Hermès. Gripping Hermès products in its hands and allowing them to stream in the wind, the dragon prances to flute music.

The dragon jumps from a flat surface into a three-dimensional state. The products arranged there also generate a keen sense of energy bursting from serene space to the outside to dance, in a dynamic transition from stillness to vitality. Realized in the same time and space is an essential duet between the handcrafted paper dragon, tile roof and other Japanese handiwork, and Hermès products – the true essence of the pursuit of creative craftsmanship.

Mai MIYAKE
Born in Yokohama. Self-taught in her art, began creative activities from 2001. Past gallery exhibits have included the Bunkamura Gallery in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Gallery Murakoshi in Ginza, Laforet Museum and other fine venues. From 2005 her efforts have focused on Art Tower Mito, the Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Art Fair Tokyo, Tobi Art Fair and other prestigious museums and art fai

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