Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto was a special exhibition held in ACM's Special Exhibitions Gallery from 16 April to 17 October 2021. It was presented in collaboration with Kobe Shimbun and Russel Wong. The double-bill exhibition centred on Japanese culture and craftsmanship, showcasing an array of woodblock prints and photography. These artworks tell stories of traditional and contemporary Japan, and reveal how one often merges into the other.
The exhibition is presented in two parts, each spotlighting a different time period and multiple aspects of life in Japan:
Life in Edo
We enter the exhibition with Utagawa Hiroshige's "Process of passing mountain fuji", Hundreds of retainers would transport weapons ceremonial items, and personal effects that signal the daimyo's military and financial might. Some would be mounted on horses; the daimyo and members of his family carried in palanquins, the direction in which they moved happens to be the direction in which the exhibition extends. Discover everyday activities of the Edo period (1603–1868) in Life in Edo – a showcase of woodblock prints and paintings which have come to be called "ukiyo-e".
The viewer can observe the portraits of famous geisha during the period of Edo, geisha hired painters to paint for them. Depict the maids of a wealthy and influential family sitting next to the pool. Four-page flower arrangement, a wonderful story about a cat transforming into a general, which is very intriguing. The cat is also a very symbolic icon in the Edo period. From ancient times to the present, cats have often been admired by the Japanese. From the paintings of the ancient Edo period, which often became the favorite of dignitaries, to Miyazaki Hayao's "The Cat Returns" in the 20th century. Life in Japan is surrounded by cats. If you like cats, you might be interested to visit the exhibition.
Russel Wong in Kyoto
On the other side of the exhibition, Russel Wong in Kyoto premieres photographs from the celebrity photographer’s 13-year-long, ongoing personal project to document the geiko of Kyoto, shedding light on some of the rarely seen and lesser-known traditions of this private community and their place in modern society.
The internal structure of the exhibition is crankle. Roland purple as the keynote to create a deep and serene atmosphere. The black and white photos on the wall form a contrast. At the end of each turn, there will be a large photo, which is divided into 6 or 12. After being split and enlarged, these black-and-white photos seemly show a hint of color. In a trance， being able to travel back to its peak of geisha through the photos.
Wrote by Wing Lam