:: Recent Event ::
Brave New World: Japanese Craft in the 21st Century
Location: University of MA – Waltham Center, 240 Beaver St., Walthan MA 02452
Date: April 17, 2007
William Thrasher, internationally known speaker on Japanese crafts, presented the program “Brave New World, Japanese Craft in the 21st Century”. He touched upon the history of handcrafts and how they have evolved in Japan, from useful items used in everyday living, to works of art. The old handcrafts are now preserved and considered national treasures. Whereas, contemporary Japanese artists working in the same crafts such as lacquer, ceramics, porcelains, bamboo, basketry, textiles, fiber, stone and paper are using these crafts in creative ways that have never been seen before.
He compared this transition to the changes in Ikebana over the years. Sofu Teshigahara was determined to change flower arranging into an art form. He introduced new forms and new containers. Isamu Noguchi was one of the early ceramists incorporating this approach. These objects were not only works of art, but containers as well. Another avant-garde ceramist was Sango Uno, under whom the late Makoto Yabe, well-known local potter, apprenticed.
Contemporary Japanese handcrafts can be found in the Boston area in some of the following establishments:
Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak Street, Brockton
Japan Society of Boston, www.us-japan.org, has listings of current Japanese exhibits in cultural and performing arts.
Keiko Gallery, 121 Charles Street, Boston
Museum of Fine Arts Boston, has one of the largest collections of Asian art in the country. “Beyond Basketry: Japanese Bamboo Art” will be exhibited until July 8, 2007.
Date: April 17, 2007
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Description
William Thrasher presented his newest program on contemporary art arising from the background of Japanese folk craftWilliam Thrasher, internationally known speaker on Japanese crafts, presented the program “Brave New World, Japanese Craft in the 21st Century”. He touched upon the history of handcrafts and how they have evolved in Japan, from useful items used in everyday living, to works of art. The old handcrafts are now preserved and considered national treasures. Whereas, contemporary Japanese artists working in the same crafts such as lacquer, ceramics, porcelains, bamboo, basketry, textiles, fiber, stone and paper are using these crafts in creative ways that have never been seen before.
He compared this transition to the changes in Ikebana over the years. Sofu Teshigahara was determined to change flower arranging into an art form. He introduced new forms and new containers. Isamu Noguchi was one of the early ceramists incorporating this approach. These objects were not only works of art, but containers as well. Another avant-garde ceramist was Sango Uno, under whom the late Makoto Yabe, well-known local potter, apprenticed.
Contemporary Japanese handcrafts can be found in the Boston area in some of the following establishments:
Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak Street, Brockton
Japan Society of Boston, www.us-japan.org, has listings of current Japanese exhibits in cultural and performing arts.
Keiko Gallery, 121 Charles Street, Boston
Museum of Fine Arts Boston, has one of the largest collections of Asian art in the country. “Beyond Basketry: Japanese Bamboo Art” will be exhibited until July 8, 2007.