Kazuo Ishii Impressions from Japan Ady Greenfeld The Kazuo Ishii
exhibition at Tal
Gallery offers an
opportunity to get to know works inspired by
traditional Japanese art. Ishii is a Japanese
artist who has lived in Israel
for many years. He brings to his artwork images and impressions of the world
and culture of his native land. His ink drawings,
Japanese calligraphy, and other more modern techniques of acrylic and oil
paintings are inspired by ancient traditional sources. The themes of landscapes,
nature, portraits and Japanese calligraphy express not only distance in place
and time, but also the difference in culture. The
title Ishii chose for the exhibition, Mujo, is based on Japanese Zen wisdom and reflects the
impermanence of life. The verse “Willows are green, flowers are
crimson” refers to the quest for peace of mind to
be gained by acceptance of the reality of life as it is. The culture of the
East observes not only the aesthetic and conceptual aspects of works of art,
but takes an introspective and contemplative point of view, regarding art as a meditative means whereby to
look into one's inner soul. Japanese Zen
painting in particular is an ancient art, originating from the way of life of
Buddhist monks who found in their art the inspiration for and fulfillment of
their search for the desired enlightment. The Zen Art brought
to Japan from China around the twelfth and thirteen centuries
was revived by the Edo period
masters, such as the famous Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) and Sengai Gibon
(1751-1837), who influenced all aspects of Japanese culture. Its principles were
manifested in architecture, landscaping and the design of gardens and stone
gardens, calligraphy, ceremonial tea rituals, flower arrangements, the performing
arts, poetry, and so forth. The simplicity and directness of Zen gave it a wide
appeal and it became a popular practice, influencing every day life. Kazuo Ishii's creations
are inspired by Zen wisdom and way of life. He combines traditional themes with
modern techniques and vice versa. His artworks, in various sizes, are designed
as scrolls, combining image and text, from the top down. Even the abstract
works exhibit the iconography of traditional Japanese art. A significant body
of his work is based on the practice of Japanese calligraphy. The scrolls with their
black signs (characters/letters) contain meaningful symbols and sayings of
ancient wisdom, poems, thoughts and allegoric riddles (haiku) that were
passed down and taught for generations. Although apparently difficult to
understand, they seem to be relevant even nowadays, as they relate to
substantial issues of human life.
The practice of calligraphy entails writing with the entire body while
standing, and requires a clear state of mind called mushin, in which the artist can concentrate fully on the subject. The
letters flow with the precise movement of the hand, in one stroke of the brush,
and should not be corrected. This practice symbolizes the connection between the
physical and the spiritual in the everlasting search for enlightenment.
The distinct, clear, sharp lines may be regarded as ink traces (bokuseki)
on paper, marking the artist's actual experience or perhaps even his enlightenment.
Ishii is like a
Japanese island in Israel.
The encounter with the man and his beliefs hold up a mirror to us. The way he
sees himself and us raises questions about our way of life, opening a window of
opportunity to new, alternative ways. This exhibition
shows some of Kazuo Ishii's latest works, both modern and abstract in style, along
with works from earlier periods of traditional Japanese style, calligraphy and
some seals. Ishii takes us along a journey to his enchanted world of Japanese
iconography, symbols and traditions, merging old and new, to the images of his
memory and imagination, and invites the viewer to a fascinating encounter with
his world. |