Onoe Kikugorō Meiji period, dated ca.1875 Suntory Museum of Art 【On display throughout the exhibition period】
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No museum has been spared from the struggles of holding exhibitions during a pandemic. The Suntory Museum of Art, however, offers a new take on Japanese art and, especially since traveling has become a considerable challenge, a much-needed opportunity for excitement and discovery through its aptly titled Unsettling Japanese Art exhibition.
The exhibition is divided into six chapters, titled as follows. The quirky wording isn’t a result of awkward translation ー it’s equally eyebrow-raising in Japanese.
Chapter 1: Behind the Behind—Let’s See the “Other Side” of the Work!
Chapter 2: Snip, Snip—Cut Up and Reconfigured?
Chapter 3: Take a Closer Look—Surprising Discoveries Await!
Chapter 4: Take It Apart—What if You Dismantle a Work?
Chapter 5: Box, Boxes, Boxed—Secrets of the Containers for Works
Chapter 6: Unsettling— “Beautiful” Doesn’t Make It Art
It was my first time encountering such eccentric wording and layout at an art museum. Surprised but nevertheless thoroughly entertained by the unique presentation of Japanese art, I asked curator Sachie Kubo about the thought that went into the exhibition.
Kubo explained the exhibition is aimed at encouraging those who have an interest but feel reluctant to foray into the world of Japanese art. She hopes they will engage with artwork with a playful spirit and introspect about the “unsettling feeling” that art can evoke.
The exhibition has been a great success for the museum and also proven the importance of exploring new perspectives on engaging with art. Excited visitors have posted photos of the exhibits to share their newly discovered enthusiasm for Japanese art and the fun ways that art can be enjoyed.
The Suntory Museum of Art deserves plaudits for teaching us creative ways of engaging with art. What we learn at the Unsettling Japanese Art exhibition can be applied to how we interact with other artworks as well. Even during a pandemic, art provides us with joy and stimulation.
The exhibition runs to August 29. Additional information is available on the Suntory Museum’s English website, here, including access, tickets, details on its main exhibits and how to best enjoy them.
Author: Yukihiro Watanabe
(Click here to read the article in Japanese.)
