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Curator's Corner

Vietnam Part 1: Champa Kingdom

Monday, January 16, 2017 | Karl Cole

And speaking of political disasters this past week, I’m pretty sure most folks would agree that the Vietnam War (1955–1975) was one of them in the past. My problem with that—aside fr ...

Curator's Corner

The "Things" of Art: Lee Ufan

Monday, November 21, 2016 | Karl Cole

I really like introducing you to artists I’ve just begun to appreciate, especially if their work is a breath of fresh air on an otherwise dreary day. That certainly applies to the work of Ufan L ...

Curator's Corner

One of the most fascinating things I learned (among many fascinating things) while studying Japanese culture and art when in college, was that Japanese scholars would routinely debate the virtues of a ...

Curator's Corner

Artist Selfies

Monday, September 26, 2016 | Karl Cole

Selfies are actually nothing new. Artists have been making selfies for centuries. It just happens to be easier for everyday folks nowadays to produce self-portraits. I’m presenting you with thes ...

Curator's Corner

"Kalighat" Art

Thursday, September 22, 2016 | Karl Cole

Indian art certainly has a rich and long history. I especially appreciate the aesthetic aspects of Indian art that have endured for centuries despite the fascinating multiplicity of kingdoms, vastly d ...

Curator's Corner

A National Treasure: Yary Livan

Wednesday, July 13, 2016 | Karl Cole

Every so often it dawns on me how artists can be more than the production of their art. They can evolve to be a great gift from their country, their culture, and act as representatives of humankind&rs ...

Curator's Corner

It's Summer

Monday, June 27, 2016 | Karl Cole

It seems that every year it takes longer and longer for summer to get here. Then when it does get here, it’s gone in a flash! I can’t think of anything bad to say about summer, well, excep ...

Curator's Corner

Contemporary Bamboo

Monday, May 23, 2016 | Karl Cole

Bamboo (take or dake in Japanese), the fastest-growing woody plant on Earth, has been a cultural underpinning in Japan since forever. It has been used there to make everything from cups and ...

Curator's Corner

Hand Gestures in Art: Mudrâs

Monday, May 16, 2016 | Karl Cole

A couple of days ago while I was crossing the street—with the walk light on—some dope decided he didn’t want to wait for a green light and drove through the red, across my path, not ...

Curator's Corner

A Look at Rainy May Days in Shin Hanga and Sosaku Hanga Prints

Monday, May 9, 2016 | Karl Cole

Most of May’s weather has been pretty cold and rainy so far, so I thought I’d look at art (which I do every day anyway) to take my mind off of it. Of course, a title including “May R ...

Curator's Corner

Happy New Year: Japanese Surimono

Monday, January 4, 2016 | Karl Cole

Since I’m feeling lazy this week, I’m showing you Japanese New Year cards (surimono) again. I think they’re lovely, and who wouldn’t want to receive one of these color woodcut ...

Curator's Corner

National Monkey Day: Shimizu Seifu

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 | Karl Cole

I always admit I’m never too old to learn. This week I learned about National/International Monkey Day, which fell on the 14th of December. The commemorative day has only been around since 2000, ...

Curator's Corner

The Noble Carp?

Friday, December 4, 2015 | Karl Cole

It probably doesn’t occur to most people to view a fish as a symbol of heroic qualities, unless maybe it’s a whale or a shark. In Japan, the carp (koi in Japanese) is a symbol of cour ...

Curator's Corner

More Wearable Art: Reiko Sudo

Friday, November 20, 2015 | Karl Cole

You may remember that I introduced you to the fiber art of Korean artist Jeung Hwa-Park, whose work is fabulous, back in 2009. Now I’ve discovered this wonderful Japanese artist who bowls me ove ...

Curator's Corner

Utilitarian Object or Sculpture?

Friday, November 13, 2015 | Karl Cole

First of all, let me clarify the use of “utilitarian” or “decorative arts.” These are unfortunately terms art historians are stuck with from the 1800s art history gods in Weste ...

Curator's Corner

The Beauty of Wayō Shodō

Friday, October 30, 2015 | Karl Cole

Did you known that the Japanese did not have a written language up until the 400s CE? I find cursive Japanese so incredibly beautiful. The story behind its development is very interesting, and I bet y ...

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Vietnam Part 1: Champa Kingdom

The "Things" of Art: Lee Ufan

An Autumn Idyll from Japan

Artist Selfies

"Kalighat" Art

A National Treasure: Yary Livan

It's Summer

Contemporary Bamboo

Hand Gestures in Art: Mudrâs

A Look at Rainy May Days in Shin Hanga and Sosaku Hanga Prints

Happy New Year: Japanese Surimono

National Monkey Day: Shimizu Seifu

The Noble Carp?

More Wearable Art: Reiko Sudo

Utilitarian Object or Sculpture?

The Beauty of Wayō Shodō

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