Japan Society is pleased to present two new exhibitions, Bunraku Backstage And Acky Helder: Studio Infinityon view this fall in New York City.
Next to life bunraku performances held at the Japan Society, Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Bunraku Theater. Bunraku, a dramatic art that integrates performances of skilled puppetry, schamisen music and narrative have evolved in Japan since the early 17th century and are recognized by UNESCO as a ‘masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity’. The exhibition features working puppets, props and instruments loaned by the National Bunraku Theater (Osaka) in celebration of its 40th anniversary, alongside archival material from the Barbara Curtis Adachi Bunraku Collection. Multimedia installations by contemporary artists Hiroshi Sugimoto, Tamura Yuichiro and Basil Twist revive and reinterpret the artistic language of bunraku and explore the theatre’s continued influence and inspiration.
In connection with the exhibition, public programs will be held exploring the contemporary and traditional relevance of bunraku. On November 12, Hiroshi Sugimoto will discuss his innovative reinterpretation of the 18th-century classic play Sonezaki Shinju (“The Love Suicides at Sonezaki”), which provides insight into how his new approach works on and behind the scenes. This will also be a special opportunity to see Sugimoto play his Ohatsu doll as she makes a cameo appearance. On November 15, Dr. Henry Smith lecture on the history of dolls and one of the most popular historical stories in Japan, Kanadehon Chūshingurawhich debuted as a bunraku play in 1748.
Acky Helder: Studio Infinityopened simultaneously with Bunraku Backstageshows the uniqueness of the artist kawakakoii (nice and cool) style of illustration and product design. Set up as Acky Bright’s design studio, the exhibition offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, witness his freestyle ‘live drawing’ and participate in the creation of a series of manga-style murals. The exhibition is performative and interactive and will evolve as Acky Bright appears in the gallery from time to time.
The exhibition features two new series of paintings by Acky Bright, KBK-18 And Ah-Uneach drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese art and theatre. Highlighting the impressive reach of his contemporary art practice, the show will also spotlight Acky Bright’s corporate promotional campaigns, including his multimedia designs for the national “WcDonald’s” campaign, YOASOBI x Vaundy’s FRIES BEAT 2024 music video and the Squid Game coloring pages. book illustrated for Netflix.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit japansociety.org.
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