Art of Japan comes to DePauw's Emison Museum

After its recent exhibits of Latino and African art, the Emison Museum of Art is introducing a new exhibition on Tuesday, Feb. 26: Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints.According to the University Web site, the collection is a series of woodblock prints made by 19th-century Japanese artist Yoshu Chikanobu. He was popular during the Meiji period, which lasted from 1868-1912, when Japanese society faced a sudden change toward Western ideals. Chikanobu used the inspirations of the times to create work that reflected Western conventions while at the same time incorporating traditional Japanese subjects: actors, courtesans and beautiful women.

Chikanobu's work is described as exploring the dichotomy of modernization and traditional values in both government and society. Around the 1880s, when some of the 'new' Western ideas became more aged, Chikanobu began to study classic Japanese culture and how it was impacted by the flurry of modern Westernization.

Kaytie Johnson, director and curator of University galleries, museums and collections, said that the exhibit was chosen for the benefits it could have for campus.

"The exhibition was selected for its relevance to similar objects in our Asian art collection, as well as the potential for members of DePauw's faculty to use it for teaching," Johnson said.

Japanese professors, among other subject areas, will have the opportunity to directly involve their classes with this collection of Japanese art. Hiroko Chiba, Japanese professor and director of the Asian Studies Program, said he would definitely take his students to view the exhibit.

"It is wonderful for any student to be able to see the originals of great art," he said via e-mail. "The exhibit also gives the Japanese students from Japan an opportunity to revisit their culture and artistic heritage."

Although the wood prints show a concern with modernity, they also hint at nostalgia for traditional views, according to the University Web site. This dualism is shown through Chikanobu's interest in kabuki theatre, famous Japanese sites and festivals, popular warriors, the Sino-Japanese War and current events. These recurring themes appear throughout 60 woodblock prints and one painting that can be found in the Emison gallery.

Along with the educational merit of the exhibit, Johnson said she believed it will aid students in appreciating artwork on campus.

"This is the first exhibition to thoroughly address the artistic output of a significant, yet often overlooked, Japanese artist," Johnson said. "It is important to support the scholarship involved with the exhibition and its accompanying catalogue."

Eric Wudtke, a junior art history major, agreed that this a great opportunity for students.

"Letting students experience other cultures might encourage more participation in study abroad programs or peak interest in courses they wouldn't normally take," he said.

The exhibit will be displayed at the Emison Museum until May 8, 2008.