This paper will be describing and critiquing the Japanese art galleries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Beginning their collection in the 1880s, the Met now carries an extensive compilation of the Japanese arts. With over 200 works of various compositions including folding screens, ceramics, scrolls, and clothing, this ten-room exhibit explores ancient Japan to the 21st century. Housed in the Eastern Asian section of the Met, the Japanese installation is nestled in a very long but smaller gallery, in comparison to the larger ones of this museum.
Upon entering the gallery from the American wing, the visitor is greeted with a small dimly lit room. Exploring further, the visitor is led down a narrow maze like route through the ten galleries …show more content…
Most art is somewhat lit by individual overhead electric lights that is slightly tilted to face the pieces. This arrangement only lights the different works of art very slightly as opposed to what it would’ve been if it were lit directly parallel to the floor. The only natural light given is by a small window overlooking the Egyptian “Temple of Dendur” in the lower level of the museum located near Kohei Nawa’s “PixCell-Deer#24”. This rare lighting is very appropriate for this particular piece since it illuminates the individual beads of the deer and gives and unexpected change from the comprehensive electric …show more content…
The quiet murmurs of guest, the dark atmosphere, and the trickle of water from Isamu Noguchi’s “Water Stone” support this peacefulness. It is also one of the less contemporary galleries. Many of the other rooms such as the European and the Greek and Roman sections are modern in the sense that they are very bright, spacious, and susceptible to bigger crowds. In comparison, the Japanese galleries receives significantly less of a herd.
The art is categorized chronologically from the ¬¬earliest piece dating back to 3000 B.C. to modern times. The Jomon period in which some of the oldest works were made were known as Japans “Neolithic period”. Thus, most of the pieces from this period is mostly hunting tools, rocks, and ceramics composed of clay. As the visitor is guided down the galleries, they are taken down a story of not only Japan’s art, but their cultural development. From the simple pottery, the setting changes to striking Buddhist statues, to elegant calligraphy, literature, and
Upon entering the gallery from the American wing, the visitor is greeted with a small dimly lit room. Exploring further, the visitor is led down a narrow maze like route through the ten galleries …show more content…
Most art is somewhat lit by individual overhead electric lights that is slightly tilted to face the pieces. This arrangement only lights the different works of art very slightly as opposed to what it would’ve been if it were lit directly parallel to the floor. The only natural light given is by a small window overlooking the Egyptian “Temple of Dendur” in the lower level of the museum located near Kohei Nawa’s “PixCell-Deer#24”. This rare lighting is very appropriate for this particular piece since it illuminates the individual beads of the deer and gives and unexpected change from the comprehensive electric …show more content…
The quiet murmurs of guest, the dark atmosphere, and the trickle of water from Isamu Noguchi’s “Water Stone” support this peacefulness. It is also one of the less contemporary galleries. Many of the other rooms such as the European and the Greek and Roman sections are modern in the sense that they are very bright, spacious, and susceptible to bigger crowds. In comparison, the Japanese galleries receives significantly less of a herd.
The art is categorized chronologically from the ¬¬earliest piece dating back to 3000 B.C. to modern times. The Jomon period in which some of the oldest works were made were known as Japans “Neolithic period”. Thus, most of the pieces from this period is mostly hunting tools, rocks, and ceramics composed of clay. As the visitor is guided down the galleries, they are taken down a story of not only Japan’s art, but their cultural development. From the simple pottery, the setting changes to striking Buddhist statues, to elegant calligraphy, literature, and