Japanese Kōgei | Future Forward at The Museum of Arts and Design, October 20, 2015 – February 7, 2016

“While contemporary gei remains rooted in centuries of cultural history, the work of the artists in this exhibition reflects a decisive and somewhat controversial shift from that of their peers. Most gei artists see their role as one that upholds traditional Japanese culture of the past, as it was established in the late-19th-century Meiji period, which precludes the opportunity for personal expression or for addressing more topical, global issues. The artists in Japanese Kõgei | Future Forward transcend this convention by incorporating into their work a high degree of individual expression and addressing ideas about the ‘future’.” — The Museum of Art and Design

AOKI-Katsuyo-1

Katsuyo Aoki, Predictive Dream XXXII, 2012. Porcelain, 8 11/16 x 6 11/16 x 7 7/8 in. (22.1 x 17 x 20 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©AOKI Katsuyo. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

HAYAMA-Yuki-1_alt2

Yūki Hayama, Large Bowl with Emperor Long Sun, 2006-2007. Porcelain. H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) Diam.22 3/8 in. (56.9 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©HAYAMA Yuki. Photo: SAIKI Taku

IKURA-Takashi-2

Takashi Ikura, Where Shadow Meets Form, 2011-03, 2011. Semi-porcelain, 10 5/8 x 6 3/4 x 6 9/16 in. (27 x 17.2 x 16.6 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©IKURA Takashi. Photo: SAIKI Taku

KUWATA-Takuro-6

Takerõ Kuwata, Blue-slipped gold Kairagi Shino bowl, 2012. Porcelain, glaze, gold. H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm. Diam. 13 in. (33 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©KUWATA Takuro. Photo: SAIKI Taku

MITSUKE-Masayasu-5

Masayasu Mitsuke, Untitled, 2012. Kutani-ware porcelain with red-enamel and gold decoration. H. 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm), Diam. 18 3/16 in. (46.2 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©MISTAKE Masayasu. Photo: SAIKI Taku

NAKAMURA-Kohei-1

Kihei Nakamura, Resurrection, 1999. Porcelain, iron, 106 1/3 x 275 2/3 x 11 4/5 in. (270 × 700 × 30 cm). Collection of the artist ©NAKAMURA Kohei. Photo: HATAKEYAMA Takashi

NAKAMURA-Shinkyo-2

Shinkyõ Nakamura, Holy Light of Rome, 2011. Ceramic, 16 9/16 x 7 1/16 x 5 7/8 in. (42 x 18 x 15 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©NAKAMURA Shinkyo. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

Harumi-Noguchi-1alt

Harm Noguchi, Inoshishi (Wild Boar), 2014. Ceramic, iron, resin, 12 5/16 x 12 11/16 x 25 9/16 in. (31.2 x 32.2 x 65 cm). Photo courtesy of Ippodo Gallery. Photograph by Hitomi Sato

金沢21世紀美術館展覧会カタログ

Tosco Õhi, White Raku Tea Bowl Made with Clay from Colorado, 2005. Raku ware made with clay from Colorado, with white glaze, 2 7/8 x 6 1/8 x 5 7/8 in. (7.3 x 15.5 x 15 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©OHI Toshio. Photo: WATANABE Osamu

TAKEMURA-Yuri-3

Yuri Takemura, Meditation Bowl, 2012. Porcelain. H. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm), Diam. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©TAKEMURA Yuri. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

金沢21世紀美術館カタログ

Tatsuo Kitamura (Unryūan), Sacred Egg Casket with Fireflies in Sai-ei Maki-e, 2010. Lacquer, linen, gold, silver, shell, yellow gold, white gold. Overall: 2 15/16 x 3 7/16 x 2 5/8 in. (7.5 x 8.8 x 6.7 cm). Body: 2 11/16 x 3 7/16 x 2 11/16 in. (6.8 x 8.7 x 6.8 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©UNRYUAN, Tatsuo Kitamura. Photo: WATANABE Osamu

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Shin’ya Yamamura, Three-Tiered Tower-Shaped Incense Case of Lacquered Wood with Eggshell, 2009. Japanese cypress, green lacquer, egg-shell, gold powder. H. 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm), Diam. 2 1/16 in. (5.3 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©YAMAMURA Shinya

Images courtesy The Museum of Art and Design. Installation photo by Butcher Walsh.