OCT 2009
VOLUME 40 - NUMBER 7
The Nezu Museum and the National Palace Museum are vastly different institutions in scale, orientation and history. Nevertheless, they share a common root as collections founded on the principles of traditional connoisseurship. In recent years, both have responded energetically to the often opposing challenges of adapting to changing times and preserving their holdings for posterity. The Nezu reopens after a three-and-a-half year closure to build a new state-of-the-art museum. Nishida Hiroko, Shirahara Yukiko and Matsubara Shigeru introduce significant works of decorative art, religious painting and Japanese painting and calligraphy that can be seen in the new galleries and eight special commemorative exhibitions.
The opening of the exhibition 'Harmony and Integrity: The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times' marks the spirit of detente between Beijing and Taipei. Fung Ming-chu describes how an exchange of visits between the two Palace Museums for the first time in 60 years resulted in a loan of objects from Beijing. Yu Peichin discusses the Yongzheng emperor's interest in Jun ware and Mark O'Neill tells the tale of how there came to be two Palace Museums.
Antje Papist-Matsuo introduces an exhibition of Negoro lacquer at the Okura Shukokan Museum, and Michael Henss the Tibet Museum of the Alain Bordier Foundation. Alonzo Emery describes his experiences at the Venice Biennale and Art Basel.
There are previews of the HKIAAF and Asian Art in London. In the commentary, James Stent and He Shuzhong make an impassioned plea for saving Kashgar's Old City from state demolition.
FEATURES
Michael Dunn. A View of the Japanese Art Market and a Guide to Dealers
Alonzo Emery. Worlds Made and Reimagined: The Venice Art Biennale and Art Basel 2009
Mark O'Neill. A Tale of Two Cities: A Tale of Two Museums
Yu Peichin. A Reverence for History: Jun ware and its imitations during the Yongzheng Period
Fung Ming-chu. An introduction to the exhibition: 'Harmony and Integrity: The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times'
Antje Papist-Matsuo. Enduring Beauty: On the Art of Negoro Lacquer
Matsubara Shigeru. Paintings and Calligraphy at the Nezu Museum
Shirahara Yukiko. Masterpieces of Religious Art in the Nezu Museum
Nishida Hiroko. Decorative Works of Art in the Nezu Museum
Nishida Hiroko. The Nezu Museum: From its Founding to the Present
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Preview: Asian Art in London 2009
Fair Preview 2009: Hong Kong International Art and Antiques Fair 2009
Menno Fitski. Book Review: After the Barbarians II: Namban Works of Art for the Japanese, Portuguese and Dutch Markets, Edited by Luisa Vinhais and Jorge Welsh, Jorge Welsh Books, London, 2008
INTERVIEWS
Michael Henss. The Interview: From the Himalayas to the Alps - The Tibet Museum of the Alain Bordier Foundation in Gruyeres
NEWS
Robert P. Piccus. Obituary: James Joseph Connell (1928-2009)
COMMENTARY
He Shuzhong and James Stent. Commentary: Saving Kashgar
Ian Alsop. Letter to the Editor