Exhibitions, Italy, Milano, 03 December 2012
JapanArt
collective exhibition curated by Anna Mola
from December 3 to December 7 at Chie Art Gallery, 27 viale Premuda, Milan
vernissage December 4 h. 6.30 p.m.
Press Release
Japan, land of charm and mystery, land of cherry trees and souls, of big cities and Zen gardens, land, finally, that was raised after a devastating tsunami produces incentives and inspiration for creative people from all over the world, many of them shown here.
One of the words most used by artists to describe their work was "mystery": an inability to fully understand the Japanese culture, which arouses curiosity and pushing to get closer and closer to it, trying to explore through their artistic medium.
The proximity becomes physical in the case of B. Chrisse Harwanko, Native American who moved to Okinawa more than 13 years ago. She explains how, adapting to the small Japanese studies, has reduced the size of his paintings, choosing for its geisha, her abstract subjects and collages the famous handmade paper. As for Barrett Biggers, also American, there is a personal and emotional connection: his Japanese wife has further reduced the distance by an art that had never been a stranger, admired for its long tradition. In his graphic works, they are typical elements of imagination about Japan, that acquire bright colors and Western characters.
Not traditional but contemporary age is the issue of reflection Teruhisa Tahara, the only native Japanese in the exhibition. Photographer focuses on objects that characterize the capital and many cities: the electric wires. Because of the high seismic risk, the wires are not laid underground, but run on the poles, creating intricate tangles that invade the urban landscape. These cables represent also the possibility of connections (and relationship) among individuals today. Technology and modernity of the country are source of inspiration for another photographer: Jeroen Huisman. This Dutch artist reflects about the contradictions of a culture, according to him, "wedged" between the future and the past. His Fragments, met on the streets around the world, reminiscent Japan through the figure of the circle: religious symbol, present on the flag. Immediate and technology for the medium used: a smartphone, spontaneous and true for the point of view, the Japan-phone series, created by Lorenzo Lucca represents the main moments in a travel through the islands: from local trains to the Shinkansen, from noodles to the parks. Noting visual experiences with open mind, the photographer reports the differences, the apparent asymmetry of a society in which he's a guest. Contrasts and cultural exchanges are also protagonists of photographies by the Serbian artist Mina Sarenac. In these pictures, taken during the "Japanese Pop-Culture Festival" in Belgrade, coexist ancient martial arts and dance performance, of more Western mold, represented by clean, sober, rigorous and typically Japanese style. The performer carries out strong movements, precise and graceful at the same time, remembering that delicacy, discipline and determination are parts, in different ways, of both cultures.
Contradictions are absorbed and assume the tones and shades of dream and unreality in the works of Jaya Suberg and Alena Krupetskova. The first one uses photography and graphics in order to create "suspended" and soft images. We find in them stories of legendary characters that seem to come from the film Kurusawa, very inspiring for her. These works tell of a surreal world, fruit of much reflection and suggestions lived, result of interiority and fact happened in the outside reality. The same oriental charm can be found in the images of Krupetskova, to which is added a touch of glamor. Fashion photographer, in fact, focused on clothes, makeup and hairstyle, that, combined with a dreamlike atmosphere, lead the model - and the viewer – in a romantic and timeless dimension.
Even the German painter and illustrator Claudia Tejeda sought of reproducing with her art the harmony and meditative aspect belonging to the rites and traditions of these people. The simplicity and calm of rural areas (less known) are personified, through collages, by silent musicians and colorful marine animals at rest. A reflection, then, about areas a little isolated in Japan, compared to its immense metropolis, but still rich in customs, having an own style.
Finally, with the images of Spring in Japan of Yelena Zhavoronkova, the viewer is overwhelmed by the tranquility of a Zen garden. The order and simplicity of these natural parks, flourishing but not obtrusive, have a profound effect on the way of life of the photographer and therefore on her photographic style. Among temples, trees and ponds, the soul finds harmony and balance, sensations which the shots, even without human beings, can transmit.
Nature, glamour, city, dream, fantasy and everyday life: is reflected in many ways the inspiration that the Land of the Rising Sun gives and that will give probably forever.
Location
The Chie Art Gallery springs from twenty years experience in the field of european, oriental art and antiques. In May 2009 the Art Gallery opened with the idea of introducing into the Milan market a new generation of artists as well as established talent. The Chie Art Gallery is a space for expositions, 60 mq area on two floors, directly on street with windows; it's situated in the center of Milan, near San Babila square and Via Montenapoleone. www.chieartgallery.com/
Curator
Anna Mola, independent critic and curator, teacher of history and criticism of photography. She realized and is involved in projects relating to photography and art; she collaborates with national and international photo's magazines. annamola.wordpress.com
Web sites
Barrett Biggers: barrettbiggers.com studiomuku.com
B. Chrisse Harwanko: www.harwanko.com
Jeroen Huisman: www.jeroenhuisman.com
Alena Krupetskova: www.krupetskova.com
Lorenzo Lucca: www.fotoincollina.com www.progettow3.it
Mina Sarenac: www.behance.net/minasarenac
Jauya Suberg: www.jayasu-berlin.de
Teruhisa Tahara: www.premioceleste.it/teruhisatahara
Claudia Tejeda: www.tejeda-arte.de
Yelena Zhavoronkova: http://photo.yzdesign.com
Info
JapanArt
from December 3 to December 7, 2012
vernissage December 4 h. 6.30 p.m.
opening times: 11.30 a.m.-6.30 p.m.
Chie Art Gallery, viale Premuda 27, 20129 Milano
Tel.: 02 36601429
Mail: chie.artgallery@gmail.com
collective exhibition curated by Anna Mola
from December 3 to December 7 at Chie Art Gallery, 27 viale Premuda, Milan
vernissage December 4 h. 6.30 p.m.
Press Release
Japan, land of charm and mystery, land of cherry trees and souls, of big cities and Zen gardens, land, finally, that was raised after a devastating tsunami produces incentives and inspiration for creative people from all over the world, many of them shown here.
One of the words most used by artists to describe their work was "mystery": an inability to fully understand the Japanese culture, which arouses curiosity and pushing to get closer and closer to it, trying to explore through their artistic medium.
The proximity becomes physical in the case of B. Chrisse Harwanko, Native American who moved to Okinawa more than 13 years ago. She explains how, adapting to the small Japanese studies, has reduced the size of his paintings, choosing for its geisha, her abstract subjects and collages the famous handmade paper. As for Barrett Biggers, also American, there is a personal and emotional connection: his Japanese wife has further reduced the distance by an art that had never been a stranger, admired for its long tradition. In his graphic works, they are typical elements of imagination about Japan, that acquire bright colors and Western characters.
Not traditional but contemporary age is the issue of reflection Teruhisa Tahara, the only native Japanese in the exhibition. Photographer focuses on objects that characterize the capital and many cities: the electric wires. Because of the high seismic risk, the wires are not laid underground, but run on the poles, creating intricate tangles that invade the urban landscape. These cables represent also the possibility of connections (and relationship) among individuals today. Technology and modernity of the country are source of inspiration for another photographer: Jeroen Huisman. This Dutch artist reflects about the contradictions of a culture, according to him, "wedged" between the future and the past. His Fragments, met on the streets around the world, reminiscent Japan through the figure of the circle: religious symbol, present on the flag. Immediate and technology for the medium used: a smartphone, spontaneous and true for the point of view, the Japan-phone series, created by Lorenzo Lucca represents the main moments in a travel through the islands: from local trains to the Shinkansen, from noodles to the parks. Noting visual experiences with open mind, the photographer reports the differences, the apparent asymmetry of a society in which he's a guest. Contrasts and cultural exchanges are also protagonists of photographies by the Serbian artist Mina Sarenac. In these pictures, taken during the "Japanese Pop-Culture Festival" in Belgrade, coexist ancient martial arts and dance performance, of more Western mold, represented by clean, sober, rigorous and typically Japanese style. The performer carries out strong movements, precise and graceful at the same time, remembering that delicacy, discipline and determination are parts, in different ways, of both cultures.
Contradictions are absorbed and assume the tones and shades of dream and unreality in the works of Jaya Suberg and Alena Krupetskova. The first one uses photography and graphics in order to create "suspended" and soft images. We find in them stories of legendary characters that seem to come from the film Kurusawa, very inspiring for her. These works tell of a surreal world, fruit of much reflection and suggestions lived, result of interiority and fact happened in the outside reality. The same oriental charm can be found in the images of Krupetskova, to which is added a touch of glamor. Fashion photographer, in fact, focused on clothes, makeup and hairstyle, that, combined with a dreamlike atmosphere, lead the model - and the viewer – in a romantic and timeless dimension.
Even the German painter and illustrator Claudia Tejeda sought of reproducing with her art the harmony and meditative aspect belonging to the rites and traditions of these people. The simplicity and calm of rural areas (less known) are personified, through collages, by silent musicians and colorful marine animals at rest. A reflection, then, about areas a little isolated in Japan, compared to its immense metropolis, but still rich in customs, having an own style.
Finally, with the images of Spring in Japan of Yelena Zhavoronkova, the viewer is overwhelmed by the tranquility of a Zen garden. The order and simplicity of these natural parks, flourishing but not obtrusive, have a profound effect on the way of life of the photographer and therefore on her photographic style. Among temples, trees and ponds, the soul finds harmony and balance, sensations which the shots, even without human beings, can transmit.
Nature, glamour, city, dream, fantasy and everyday life: is reflected in many ways the inspiration that the Land of the Rising Sun gives and that will give probably forever.
Location
The Chie Art Gallery springs from twenty years experience in the field of european, oriental art and antiques. In May 2009 the Art Gallery opened with the idea of introducing into the Milan market a new generation of artists as well as established talent. The Chie Art Gallery is a space for expositions, 60 mq area on two floors, directly on street with windows; it's situated in the center of Milan, near San Babila square and Via Montenapoleone. www.chieartgallery.com/
Curator
Anna Mola, independent critic and curator, teacher of history and criticism of photography. She realized and is involved in projects relating to photography and art; she collaborates with national and international photo's magazines. annamola.wordpress.com
Web sites
Barrett Biggers: barrettbiggers.com studiomuku.com
B. Chrisse Harwanko: www.harwanko.com
Jeroen Huisman: www.jeroenhuisman.com
Alena Krupetskova: www.krupetskova.com
Lorenzo Lucca: www.fotoincollina.com www.progettow3.it
Mina Sarenac: www.behance.net/minasarenac
Jauya Suberg: www.jayasu-berlin.de
Teruhisa Tahara: www.premioceleste.it/teruhisatahara
Claudia Tejeda: www.tejeda-arte.de
Yelena Zhavoronkova: http://photo.yzdesign.com
Info
JapanArt
from December 3 to December 7, 2012
vernissage December 4 h. 6.30 p.m.
opening times: 11.30 a.m.-6.30 p.m.
Chie Art Gallery, viale Premuda 27, 20129 Milano
Tel.: 02 36601429
Mail: chie.artgallery@gmail.com
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