深み - Fukami

A friend, Wanda, drew my attention to an event, FUKAMI, a word which obviously means depth or deepness in Japanese. This is an exhibition which is part of different events which will celebrate the 160^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and France. The exhibition, which ends in a few days, mixes old and contemporary art and also shows the influence of Japanese art on Western art.

This exhibition takes place at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in the 8^th arrondissement. Maybe first a few words about the building. It was built in 1872-78 for the widow of Rothschild banker. At her death in 1922 the property was bequeathed to the French State. Today, some cultural administrations occupy the building. The garden in front is open to public. Here some views of the “hôtel” (private mansion), outside and inside.

It may be interesting to know that Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) had a simple home and spent his last days here. The building disappeared during the construction of the “hôtel”, but Balzac has his statue on the square in front of the garden.  The statue was created by Alexandre Falguière (1831-1900) (see previous post), but executed after his death. Rodin’s proposal was refused (but was accepted later and can be seen elsewhere in Paris).  We can also note that the French President Paul Doumer (1857-1932) was shot and killed in the “hôtel” when he attended the opening of a book fair. Several shots were fired by an obviously mentally unstable Russian emigrant.

Reverting to the exhibition. Here are a few examples of what can be seen - different samples of Japanese art, ancient and contemporary. The top picture shows a carpet, especially made for the exhibition. You are actually allowed to walk on it (with cleaned shoes).  You can read more about it all on the official site, here.

Examples of the influence on Western art can also be seen. There are a number of engravings by one of the Japanese masters, Hokusai (1780-1849). We know how he and other Japanese artists had great influence on the impressionists and post impressionists, partly thanks to “Père Tanguy”. I talked about it here and here.

We can also see a number of wood engravings by Paul Gauguin (1848-1903).