August 23, 2010 by Lorraine Cooke
Comments (0)
Rebirth, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Sainsbury Institute for the study of Japanese Arts and Culture, Art1821, Japanese art, Jomon culture, dogu figurines
EXHIBITION:
Rebirth:
An exhibition of contemporary Japanese art and Japanese inspired art curated by Lorraine Cooke in collaboration with the Unearthed exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
Art1821 presents Rebirth (Thursday 29th July – Saturday 4th September). The exhibition showcases the work of eight contemporary artists. Japanese artists Sahoko Aki, Megumi Baba, Tsunaki Kuwashima,Keika Sako and UK based artist Shaun Caton have produced works in response to ancient Jomon cultureconsidering Jomon existence, how encounters with small objects affect our perceptions of the world, connections between contemporary art and ancient art and the role of archaeology and culture in the making of identities. Veronica Grassi, Jazz Green and Barbara Leaney’s art works reference the meditative and philosophical nature of Japanese culture in the translation of aesthetics which are synonymous with contemporary Japanese arts.
Unearthed (until 29th August) brings together prehistoric ceramic figurines from the Balkans and Japan for the first time. Over 100 figurines from Albania, Macedonia, Japan, Romania and the UK are on display. These include ornate Jomon figurines (known as dogu) from the Robert & Lisa Sainsbury collection. The exhibition offers you the opportunity to get up close to those tiny, enigmatic figurines and to consider some of the mysteries of these ancient objects. There is a series of contemporary art works (including works by Shaun Caton and Tsunaki Kuwashima) which challenge us to think more widely about figurines and the expression of the human form.
REBIRTH…An ancient culture revisited, rediscovered, readdressed, revitalised and remade.
Gallery Open: Tue 10-4;30, Wed- Sat 10-5.
ART1821, Opposite Norwich Cathedral Gate, Augustine Steward House, 14 Tombland, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1HF. (East of England.) www.art1821.com