Solo exhibition by Masami Kobayashi, a Hokkaido-born ceramicist who now lives and works in Kasama City. As a member of the Japan Contemporary Craft Artist Association, the Ibaraki Craft Association and the Committee for Art Festivals and Exhibitions in Ibaraki Prefecture, Kobayashi is active both within and outside of Ibaraki, creating vital work that resists easy categorization in terms of both exhibition settings and genres of craft. This is her first solo exhibition at this gallery.

"Western Art - Impressionism to Delvaux" Works by Impressionist painters such as Monet and Pissaro, as well as Picasso and Delvaux. "Bewildering Landscapes" From works consisting of mirroring images and optical illusions to conceptually inquisitive paintings and sculptures. "Tiger Tateishi's Wonderland" Humorous world of Tateishi expressed in painting, printmaking, and design. "Kokuta Suda - Abstract World" Abstract watercolor paintings by Kokuta.

Go-Products provide customers with new interior woodwork products made in the woodworking town of Hida that use not only wood and timber but also pop colors and unusual material combinations, sometimes using planks and boards as canvases.

See website for details of gallery talk and workshop.

Yoshitaka Yazu was born in Osaka in 1980, and is now a young artist working mainly in Kyoto. After majoring in sculpture at the Kyoto City University of the Arts, he became a member of the young artist unit Antenna. He has been working solo since 2007. Taking as his theme the issue of how to interpret and talk about "the universe (the entire world, oneself included)", Yazu uses as his motifs the earliest forms of faith and the manifold devices that grew out of these beliefs, attempting to unearth new images of the divine. Yazu has expressed a more than usual interest in the human capacity for "sensing the divine", giving expression to this sensibility in the form of spaces that manifest a ceremonial or ritualistic feeling in neutral works. Yazu discards extraneous elements from a modern age inundated with a confusion of countless things and waves of information, creating a space of inviolable sacredness using simple, even naked works. The title of this exhibition, "Holy and Common", takes as its theme two opposites - at least at first glance. In particular, "The Corona", a large scale installation made out of LED devices based on the phenomenon of a solar eclipse, embodies this two-sided character outlined in the title. Two ordinary, daily phenomena that we take for granted, the sun and moon, become transfigured into a mysterious spectacle in the blink of an eye, changing form for the limited duration of such an eclipse and transcending the limitations of the "common". In this exhibition, Yazu leverages the shared common sensibility we all have of intimations of the divine, expressed in this space that reminds us of its potential.

The island nation of England developed while occupying a unique place in European history, and the sphere of painting is no exception. This is nowhere more true that in the field of modern landscape painting, to which area England's contribution has been considerable. In modern Japan, too, there was a group of painters with a strong yearning and inclination towards modern English landscapes, whose work forms an important component of this museum's collection, which focuses mostly on landscapes from the 17th century onwards. This exhibition from the permanent collection presents Japanese yoga paintings related to England by artists such as Katsumi Miyake and Chuji Kuribara as an appropriate companion exhibition to the "Twelve Travels" exhibition of English art. Related events are also scheduled. See website for details.

In search of human form in the prints of Koshiro Onchi, Yutaro Nakagawa and Benko Ito.

Cameo and intaglio are the engraving techniques that started in the ancient Greco-Roman period. Throughout the long history of Europe, despite its constantly changing political climate, jewelries and items with engraving were always collected by the powers as a means to symbolize their glory. The first emperor of the Roman Empire, Augustus, Lorenzo de' Medici, also known as Medici the Magnificent, the Russian empress Ekaterina II, and the French emperor Napoleon I, all of these famous historical figures devoted their money and power to hold ownership of the most sophisticated work of art. This exhibition focuses on works relating to those individuals who were taken by the beauty of cameo, as well as masterpieces from the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and also from the Barland private collections. The exhibition also introduces the historical backgrounds of each work, unraveling some of the mysterious stories surrounding cameo.

The publication "Nanso Satomi Hakkenden" saw contributions by Bakin Kyotei (1767-1848) over a long period stretching from 1814-1842, during which time he created the longest ever collection of Japanese romance fiction (denki shosetsu), numbering some 98 episodes over 106 books. Before long, the publication was taken as a subject for the kabuki theater, and numerous ukiyo-e woodblock prints were also made on the topic. In a sense, the Hakkenden provided a deft cultural summary and compendium of the late Edo period. The popularity of this work continues unchanged to this day, and it is often used as material for art, literature, manga, film and theater. 2008 marks the 160th anniversary of the passing of Bakin. This exhibition focuses on works from the Hakkenden ukiyo-e collection of Jin Hattori, introducing viewers to the world of Hakkenden through archive materials, modern nihonga painting, contemporary kabuki theater, shojo manga and so on.

Travel: leaving behind everyday routine to experience different places and times, making fresh discoveries and chancing upon unexpected surprises that linger in one's memory. This exhibition features around 170 works in a wide variety of media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and video by 12 English artists from the 19th century up to the present day. These works explore the theme of travel, of past memories, and the reminiscence of time "travel". Please visit exhibition website for more details. [Image: David Nash, "Walking Ladder", Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of Art]

Sharaku Toshusai was an enigmatic portrait artist who captured the fleeting expressions of kabuki actors (dates of birth and death unclear). Utamaro Kitagawa (1753?-1806) was a hugely popular portrayer of the beautiful woman of his age in close-up, depicting the charms of harlots and prostitutes, drawing them from the bust upwards. Hokusai Katsushika (1760-1849) was something of a manic painter who drew all manner of landscapes with prolific intensity, a talented draughtsman with a remarkable sense of composition. Hiroshige Utagawa (1797-1858) was a landscape painter that evoked the romance of travel with subtly detailed renderings of landscapes, seasons, climates and changes in time across the country. Together, these four are generally acknowledged to be the four great masters of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Ukiyo-e has been said to embody the flowering of Edo mercantile culture, treating familiar subjects like the fashion of the time, popular beauties and actors, and famous sights and monuments from across Japan, reaching a large audience thanks to the mass production techniques of printmaking. Ukiyo-e were known for their innovative sense of pictorial composition, the brevity of its depiction and the vividness of its coloring, all of which are said to have influenced French Impressionists like van Gogh and Renoir. Ukiyo-e now command a formidable artistic reputation on an international scale as a representative Japanese artform. This exhibition draws from the collection of Akira Nakau, one of Japan's largest collectors of ukiyo-e, showcasing around 170 representative works by these masters, including 20 works by Sharaku. Related talk events are also scheduled. See website for details.

Born in Minowa Village in Gunma Prefecture (now Misato Town in Takasaki City), Kaoru Yamaguchi (1907-1968) grew up amid abundant nature during his childhood and then started pursuing a career as a painter. After studying at Tokyo Art School (now Tokyo University of the Arts) and also in France, he became involved with the formation of the Free Art Association and Modern Art Association as a member of Chuo Gadan, devoting himself to the creation of Japanese-style yoga (western) paintings. Pastoral landscapes, trees and water against a red backdrop, the moon, horses... Yamaguchi poured his imagination onto the canvas through the depiction of the nature around him, in rich colors and forms. His unique style of expression was formed during the pre- and postwar periods, when art went through a sea change, through his constant efforts to tackle the possibilities of figurative art, in search of a style of his own. By displaying about 90 paintings according to shifts in his painting style, this exhibition aims to trace Yamaguchi's artistic endeavors at different points throughout his career. [Image: "Figure of Flower" (1937) Collection of Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art Kahitsukan]

The Arts and Crafts movement had a dramatic influence on the craft and design scene in the last century. In response to the commercialism of the decorative arts, Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris (1834-1896) placed emphasis instead on craftsmanship. Morris produced meticulously crafted textiles, wallpaper, furniture and various interior design products. The movement, which originated in England, soon spread internationally, influencing Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) of Scotland, giving birth to a group of craftsmen in Glasgow, inspiring the Modernist designs of architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), as well as the work of furniture designers and female ceramicists in America. This exhibition showcases Morris' early works, works by a group of Glaswegian artists, book designs by Kelmscott Press, and furniture and crafts from early 20th century America, all of which introduce visitors to the extent and influence of the movement in England and America. Lecture "An Encounter with William Morris - The Beauty of Arts and Crafts Textile Designs" September 23rd (Tuesday, national holiday) 15:00-16:30, Lecture Hall (2F) Lecturer: Naoko Minowa (textile artist) Capacity: 100 persons (numbered tickets available at the reception desk from 10:00 on the 23rd) Free

The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art changes its permanent collection display four times a year. The current exhibition in the main building presents works by nihon-ga artists Shodo Anayama, Yako Okouchi, Harue Mochizuki and more, all of whom depicted autumn scenery and customs. Also on display are still life paintings by Koichiro Kondo and Shoko Kawasaki. In the Western art gallery, portraits and prints by various painters, as well as works by Millet and other Barbizon school painters are on display.

Born in Tokyo in 1886, Tsuguharu Fujita studied at the Tokyo Art School (now Tokyo University of the Arts) and in 1913 moved to Paris at the age of 27. In Paris, where originality was crucial to being an artist, Fujita achieved an original style of oil painting by incorporating into it elements of traditional nihon-ga painting. He succeeded in giving expression to the softness of human skin on his canvas. Through his depictions of nudes and cats painted with black lines on top of a milky-white background, Fujita won much attention from French audiences. After World War II, Fujita went back to Paris again and became a naturalized citizen of France, following which he converted to Catholicism and changed his name to Leonard Fujita. This exhibition looks at the course of his career in France, centering on 4 large-scale paintings of a group of nude figures, discovered in suburban Paris in 1992. Works include those from the late 1910s, at a time when Fujita was still searching for his own style; to the following decade, when he perfected his signature "milky-white" surfaces. On view alongside these 4 nude paintings are numerous sketches that he executed as studies for these works. On display for the first time are religious paintings, fresco work for the interior of the Chapelle Fujita in France, sketches for stained glass commissions, and more. Please visit museum website for more details.

This exhibition presents works by artists and creators based in Ibaraki Prefecture, celebrating the creative activities of the people. This exhibition is part of the 23rd National Cultural Festival, Ibaraki 2008.

Open Screening Session Date and time: August 9th (Sat) and 10th (Sun), 10:00-17:00 Venue: University Museum, Toride Annex, Tokyo University of the Arts Free entry, come and go as you please August 9th (Sat): Regular voting by visitors (until 12:00 on the 10th) August 10th (Sun) 14:00-17:00: Selection of exhibition plan by selection committee members and TAP The main venue for Toride Art Project (TAP) will be Toride Ino Danchi. The following programs will also be held at the 101 artist village studio on the Ino Danchi premises: TAP 2008 Guest Artist 23rd Citizens' Culture Festival - Participating Artists in Related Projects Ibaraki 2008 Selected Artists from the Open Screening Session Schedule Details: August 9th (Sat) Exhibiting works of guest artists and participating artists in the Korean International Exchange Program August 16th (Sat) & 17th (Sun) Exhibiting works of selected artists from the open screening session Venue: Ino Artist Village Studio 101 (Open 12:00-16:00) Exhibiting Artists: TAP guest artists Gasei Sato (painter), Namaiki (creative unit), Port B (theater unit) Participating artists in the Korean International Exchange Program: Sumi Kanazawa (TAP 2002), Isao Suzuki (TAP 2005, 2007), Camera Yamanaka (TAP 2006) TAP 2008 Main Exhibition Dates: November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th Venue: Various locations in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture (Toride Ino Danchi and others) Guest producer: Mikan Gumi (architectural unit) Guest artists: Mikan Gumi (architectural unit), Gasei Saito (painter), Namaiki (creative unit), Port B (theater unit)

Born in Switzerland, Le Corbusier (1887-1965) moved to Paris to pursue a double career as both painter and architect. As a tribute to his outstanding achievements and contributions to 20th century architecture, the French government applied to register his work on the UNESCO World Heritage list this year. As a result, a total of 22 buildings and city plans, including representative works like the Villa Savoye and the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut, as well as the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, were nominated for inclusion. This exhibition traces Corbusier's dedication to the field of architecture through models, photographs and videos on display, with a focus on the 22 nominated works. Focusing particularly on light effects inside architectural structures, this exhibition will examine the sensitivity and originality of his approach to light as an architectural element. Corbusier had a brilliant career not only as an architect, but also as a painter. Advocating purism, and staunchly critical of cubism, he went on to portray powerful women and other symbolic motifs in his canvases. Through a selection of his paintings, sculptures and tapestry works, visitors will discover that Corbusier's art and architecture were essentially two aspects and manifestations of the same unique ethos. [Image: Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut]

Morris Louis was born in the harbor town of Baltimore, near Washington DC, the capital of the United States in 1912. After graduating from a local art school, he was active for a period of time in NY; however, after returning to his hometown when he was 31, he then mainly based his work in Washington DC. While teaching painting, he used the small dining room of his house as a studio and devoted himself to painting while his wife was out at work. Louis was quiet and introverted; yet, he was more passionate about creation than others. He decided to distance himself from New York where his generation painters such as Pollock and Rothko were actively working, and he searched for an original style of his own. It was when Louis was 41 years old in 1954 that he started to paint epoch-making artwork, which eventually changed the art world. These were abstract paintings with layers of thinned paints on large canvases that were larger than a person's height. As beautifully dyed fabrics, paints stained the canvas and merged together; thus, a perfectly flat surface was born. From this time until his death in 1962, the painter continued to refine this method while changing the composition of the stains and exploring different combinations of colors. 20 years since the last Louis exhibition was held in Japan, this exhibition presents roughly 15 works from his life, focused on Louis's three main styles; “Veil” paintings, “Unfurled” paintings and “Stripe” paintings. [Image: "Green by Gold" (1958) Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo ©1958 Morris Louis]

Living and working to pay his way to study in America since a young age, Yasuo Kuniyoshi ranks with Paris-based Tsuguharu Fujita (1886-1968) and Takashi Murakami (1962-) as one of the Japanese artists who met with the greatest success abroad. Speaking in today's terms, Kuniyoshi was a sort of Ichiro of the art world. This exhibition introduces his works from the Fukutake Collection, one of the best repositories of Kuniyoshi's work in terms of both quality and volume. Commemorative talks and art forums, as well as curator-led art talks, are also scheduled. In addition, the works of Gunma-born artist Thomas Nagai (1886-1966) who worked in America at the same time as Kuniyoshi, are also on view. See website for details on talk events.

Exhibition of all original illustrations from the museum collection by Rokuro Taniuchi, focusing on this work for the magazine Shukan Shincho. This section of the exhibition showcases cover illustrations from 1966 issues of the magazine, as well as the large work "Village in Autumn," created for an exhibition marking the 500th issue of the publication. Measuring 7.4 meters across, the painting is full of the poetic longing and nostalgia that Taniuchi is renowned for. The exhibition also introduces audiences to the short essays, "Hyoshi no Kotoba," that Taniuchi wrote to accompany each cover. The ideas and daydreams that animated the illustrations, as well as Taniuchi's thoughts on various other topics, are condensed in these little epigrams.

Chiyoji Yazaki (1872-1947) was an artist born in Yokosuka. After studying under Kiyoteru Kuroda at Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko and graduating at 1900, Yazaki won third prize for his work at the National Industrial Exhibition in 1903. Returning to Japan after a stint in Europe, Yazaki exhibited widely and won many prizes at several exhibitions. Although he started out as an oil painter, Yazaki found his true calling and niche in pastels, not only painting them, but also starting a pastel painting association in 1924 and working to spread its activities and influence. Starting to work in this medium in 1914, he portrayed a diverse range of places and landscapes from his travels in Japan and abroad, turning them into paintings. Portable and easy to carry around, pastels were perhaps ideally suited to this form of itinerant painting. The Yokosuka Museum of Art has consistently worked to collect Yazaki's oil and pastel paintings, and this special exhibition draws on this collection to introduce his artistry to the public, divided over two parts. [Image: Chiyoji Yazaki, "Venice" (1923)]

The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art celebrates its 30th anniversary this year on November 3rd. From July 21st through December 24th last year, the museum conducted a survey among visitors asking them to select their favorite work from the museum collection. Over 1000 answers were submitted, and the results of the survey, as well as visitor comments, are on display at this exhibition. Additionally, this exhibition looks back on 30 years of the museum's history through an exhibition of masterpieces from their collection. Also on view are video clips, newspaper articles and photographs from the time of the museum's opening. Please visit exhibition website for more details. [Image: Jean-François Millet "The Sower" (1850) Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art Collection]

Yayoi Kusama's "Fireflies on the Water" is a 3D work surrounded by mirrors that creates a holistic spatial experience for the viewer. It was recently added to the museum's collection this year. Upon opening the unassuming, warehouse-like door to the work, one is greeted by a profusion of countless decorative lights sparkling in the dark and dazzling the senses. Following the path that extends up until one's feet and entering the room, the some 150 lights hanging overheard are reflected in the mirrored surfaces of the walls and ceiling, as well as water surfaces that tremble underfoot, seeming to multiply endlessly in both a real and an imaginary space. "Fireflies on the Water" has been installed in 3 versions and is only on view at the Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art. [Image: "Fireflies on the Water" (2000), mirrors, gold, lightbulbs, wood, acrylic board, water]

Works from the museum's collection will be on display, with 5 different themes. 1. "From East of Europe": Focusing on 2 representative Russian painters from the 20th century, Wassily Kandinsky and Marc Chagall. 2. "Creative Printmaking -Youth with Media in Their Hands": 'Creative Printmaking' was one of the coterie magazines widely popular across Japan from the Taisho to Showa periods. In this exhibition, "Hosun" and "Katana", origins of the magazine, will be introduced. 3. "Art Nouveau Never Dies": Art Nouveau, the artistic style from the 19th century, has come into fashion throughout different periods in history. Exhibiting design works including Mucha's posters. 4. "Beyond the Horizon": Focusing on horizon depicted in paintings. On view are Magritte's "Big Family" and works by Japanese Surrealists. 5. "Drawing Human, Drawing Relationship": Exploring the portrayals of crowds seen in works by Japanese oil painters who are associated with Utsunomiya. Location: Exhibition Room 1 *Partial change in exhibited works takes place on October 7th (Tue).

The enigmatic kingdom of Bhutan, or Druk Yul, "land of the thunder dragon". This country believes that the peace and tranquility of the spirit must not be harmed for the sake of modernization or material wealth, practicing a form of nation-building that emphasizes the conscientious protection of the environment and its unique culture. This exhibition features work by Kenro Izu, who has continued to film the "stone ruins" of Bhutan for 25 years using a large model 100kg camera, offering audiences a glimpse into the "sacred land at the center of spirituality". This is the first public exhibition in Japan of Izu's internationally-acclaimed, gorgeous, yet delicate platinum prints.

Arriving in Paris in January 1924, Yuzo Saeki visited Auvers sur Oise early that summer, the town in which Vincent van Gogh lived during his last days. Here, Saeki encountered the Fauvist painter Maurice de Vlaminck, interactions with whom radically changed not only his style of painting but also his life itself. After absorbing elements of Vlaminck's painting style in Auvers, Saeki went back to Paris and became strongly fascinated by the work of Maurice Utrillo, who depicted the street corners of Paris with a melancholic tone. This led to Saeki forming his own way of expression in which Vlaminck's powerful touch, a sense of groundbreaking composition and Utrillo's pensive landscape were all present. Saeki newfound idiom attracted much attention first at the Paris Salon and then in his home country, Japan. This exhibition attempts to reexamine the roots of Saeki's artistry and his influence on other artists through a close observation of his oeuvre as well as the work of other related French and Japanese painters. [Image: "Street Corner" (1925) oil on canvas]

The Hakone Open-Air Museum was opened in 1969 to create a harmonic balance of the great nature of Hakone and Art. The unique experiences of open-air museum await you, as different seasons and weather create an ever-changing sensation of true art. The Museum realizes the philosophy of Henry Moore “Sculpture is an art of the open-air” with a grand backdrop of Hakone's great nature.

With works from the Ibaraki area as the nucleus, objects in the museum's permanent collection are shown systematically so that the history of modern and contemporary art can be easily understood.

The museum collection consists of 1210 pieces centering upon 20th century works depicting the . 540 are works by Renoir, Bonnard, Picasso, Matisse, Leger, Chagall, Kokoschka, Milo, Dali, and de Kooning, and 670 are by unique Japanese artists. 130-200 selections from the permanent collection are on display at any given time, and will rotate every quarter.

Our permanent exhibition, held on the first floor, features the work of metal-cast artists Hotsuma Katori and Shinobu Tsuda. Both being born in the same period, in the Hokuso area of Chiba Prefecture, the two were opposites in artistic viewpoints; Katori emphasized tradition while Tsuda called for revolution. Works on display will be rotated every three months.

Artist Motohiro Tomii will create sculptural works using ready-made objects. The sculptures will then become permanent collections of ARCUS Project and exhibited inside Building B. Moriya Manabi-no-sato, where ARCUS Studio is located, has a music room, cooking room, and craft shop, and the facilities are used by neighborhood residents regularly. The exhibition does not have a closing date, and all works will be exhibited until they decay naturally. Opening Reception: March 22nd (Sat), 18:30- at ARCUS Studio Please contact venue to attend by phone or fax. (0297-46-2600)

Niki de Saint Phalle, a French-American, was born in 1930. She kept challenging new materials, while pursuing a life-long theme of self-reflection and wish for freedom. The Niki Museum owns about 200 pieces of work by the artist. About 100 of them, centered around large sculptures, are on permanent exhibition.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum’s Picasso Collection consists of a substantial number of Picasso’s ceramic creations, purchased from his eldest daughter Maya Picasso, as well as his paintings, prints, sculptures, gold objets d’art. They are permanently exhibited to the public. The photographs of David Douglas Duncan, who documented the artist’s last 17years, also play a vital role in this collection.

Walking through the Rodin Wing is like a stroll through a garden of sculptures. Natural light through a rugby-ball shaped roof provides the illumination. The whole wing is visible from the entrance floor. 32 works by Rodin are displayed on the skip floor, including the famous “Gates of Hell”. Sculptures pre- and post- Rodin are also on exhibition for a sum total of 47 works on display. An aural guide commentary is also available at no extra fee.

Works by artists from Izura who were tutored by Tenshin Okakura will be on display. Exhibits will rotate six times a year.

Utsunomiya Museum of Art collects post-20th century works of art and design. The permanent exhibition is rotated 3 to 4 times a year, and a thematic mini-exhibition is also held 1 to 2 times a year.

Group exhibition by college and graduate students in Ibaraki.

Exhibiting works of yoga painter Tsukasa Sato (1915-1999), who committed himself to the art promotion of Sakura City during the postwar period.