Standing Prince Shotoku at age two, Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), late 13th – 14th century, colors and lacquer on wood with crystal inlay. (Courtesy of Asian Art Museum)
Asian Art Museum in San Francisco exhibits In the Moment: Japanese Art from the Larry Ellison Collection from June 28 through Sept. 22, 2013.
The exhibition comprises of works by noted artists of the Momoyama (1573 – 1615) and Edo (1615 – 1868) periods, along with other important examples of religious art, lacquer, metalwork and armor.
Highlights include a 13th – 14th – century wooden sculpture of Prince Shotoku; a 16th – century bronze goose – shaped incense burner; six – panel folding screens dating to the 17th – century by Kano Sansetsu; and 18th – century painting by acclaim and master Maruyama Okyo and Ito Jakuchu. This exhibition introduces more than 60 exceptional artworks spanning 1,100 years.
In the Moment explores the dynamic nature of art selection and display in traditional Japanese settings, where artworks are often temporarily presented to reflect a special occasion or the change of seasons.
Each new arrangement of art creates a unique viewing experience, altering the collector’s physical surroundings and relationship to the natural world and other people – a transient experience properly savored “in the moment.”
The exhibition is curated by Dr. Laura Allen and Melissa Rinne in the Asian Art Museum, in consultation with Dr. Emily Sano, director emerita of the Asian Art Museum and art consultant to the Larry Ellison Collection of Japanese Art.
The Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. For information call (415) 581 -3500 or visit www.asianart.org Closed on Monday.