Japan. Stories of love and war.
Japan. Stories of love and war: a selection of more than 200 works of art describing the Floating World of ukiyo-e has been brought for the first time to Bologna, where the elegant and sophisticated atmosphere of the Edo period in Tokyo (1603-1868) has descended on Palazzo Albergati. The greatest Japanese artists of the 19th century will be on show including Hiroshige, Utamaro, Hokusai and Kuniyoshi, but the exhibition also gives a complete panorama of Japanese life in this period through the display of samurai clothes, kimonos, fans and photographs.
The exhibition describes the alluring feminine world of the geisha, the ōiran (high ranking courtesans) and the fascinating world of the legendary samurai warriors. It traces the origins of ukiyo-e and the famous erotic shunga prints; there are depictions of Nō and Kabuki theatre actors; as well as the natural world in all its manifestations – flowers, birds and landscapes. A rich programme of educational and informative activities will run parallel to the main exhibition including the tea ceremony, the creation of origami and more. In short, it will be a wonderful journey through the history, art, and beauty of Japan.
Under the auspices of the Comune di Bologna, the Consulate General of Japan in Milan and the Fondazione Italia Giappone, the exhibition has been organized by the Gruppo Arthemisia and curated by Pietro Gobbi, a leading scholar of Japanese art.
For further information: www.palazzoalbergati.com