Immersive Museum TOKYO: An Homage to Ukiyo-e and the Impressionists.
Since last year, immersive art experiences have been taking over Tokyo. From the Post-Impressionism exhibition in Nihonbashi, to the Van Gogh exhibition in Tennozu, and Monet Alive in Nihonbashi, innovative art experiences are popping up one after another. Currently, the "Immersive Museum TOKYO: Impressionists and Ukiyo-e" exhibition is being held in Shinjuku, near Takashimaya Shinjuku store, at the newly opened Bellesalle Shinjuku South.
I recently visited the 'Post-Impressionism' exhibition and was captivated by the way normally static paintings came to life with brushstrokes in motion. As I followed each brushstroke, I could feel the passage of time embedded in the artwork, experiencing a deep sense of connection as if I were in sync with the artist's sensibilities. It was an experience where Impressionist works I had seen in museums and across Europe were reborn in a new form. Truly, the term "immersive" perfectly describes the unforgettable experience.
This event is also hosted by Immersive Museum. As someone who regularly designs for ART TEE, I saw this as an opportunity to draw inspiration, so I began sketching a design for a long-sleeve T-shirt featuring Van Gogh's irises on my smartphone while on the train. Even at the exhibition venue, I continued to develop design ideas, immersed in the captivating atmosphere. With plenty of time, I enjoyed the screenings twice, spending a luxurious time that stimulated my creativity.
The deep connection between Ukiyo-e and the Impressionists was something I first realized when I visited Monet's garden in Giverny and learned that he collected Ukiyo-e prints. For European artists of the 18th century, Japanese paintings were revolutionary. Their use of color, composition, and motifs opened new avenues of expression for Western artists. These artists incorporated these techniques into their own works, sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly, paying homage to Ukiyo-e.
The current exhibition spotlights works influenced in this way. The remarkable harmony and overlap of Ukiyo-e and Impressionist paintings truly emphasize the depth of their relationship.
Personally, I was aware that Gauguin had paintings featuring sumo wrestling scenes and that Monet painted a piece featuring a geisha. However, through this exhibition, I learned that there are many more homages, which made me feel proud as a Japanese person.
Here is a work by Mary Cassatt, an American Impressionist. I hadn’t noticed this before!
And this cliff at Étretat by Monet—what a Ukiyo-e homage!
Recently, I made an interesting discovery about the bridge in Monet's garden. While researching hundreds of paintings of water lilies to design a sweatshirt as an homage to 'Emily in Paris,' I learned that this bridge is called 'Nihonbashi.' A few days later, seeing this imagery today, I realized it was a perfect homage to Monet's bridge, and I was filled with surprise and emotion. This is not mere imitation but a creative process where the aesthetics of different cultures intersect to create new expressions. And that's exactly what my ART TEE is all about. (laughs) The Van Gogh TEE is completed.
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