October 15 2005, Saturday, 10am-6pm

LAST DAY FOR TOKYO-BORN YUMIKO NAGATA’S MUSICAL SILVER CHASING, “ENCHANTED BY GAGAKU,” COMPRISING “GAGAKU” (JAPANESE IMPERIAL COURT MUSIC), “KAKEJIKU” (HANGING SCROLL), “BYOUBU” (FOLDING SCREEN), “WASHI” (JAPANESE PAPER), “KINU” (SILK), “KIN” (GOLD) & “GIN” (JIN)

Early this week we attended the open reception of Japanese artist, Yumiko Nagata’s exhibition of screens, scrolls and prints. Her exhibition come under the musically inspired title, “Enchanted by Gagaku.” Gagaku, we discovered, is an old form of music from the Japanese Imperial Court, circa the tenth century. Apparently it was popular around the time of each New Year’s Day, though nowadays more western music is played. And, back to the art… each screen, scroll and print we saw had a Japanese feeling about it, whether it be the ink, the script or the paper that had been used to produce a remarkable and interesting range of exhibits. So interesting – in fact, that we quickly left the gallery after a glass of wine (or was it the Sake, which was being served?) and headed to an area, where London’s nightlife begins, and brought back a few friends. Needless to say, they too were glad of the chance to experience several pieces of ancient Japanese magic. Prices for the 30 magical works - which are all viewable on the same floor of the two-floored gallery - range from £1,300, for the butterfly piece, “Kochoh,” (39.7cm x 47.5cm) up to £6,000, for the folding screen, “Byohbu Ryoh oh menn,” (58 x 176.4cm). Most of Nagata’s artworks though average between £1,500 (10 pieces) and £2,500 (6 pieces).
 

Our favourite pieces can be seen on the very back wall of the Mayfair-based gallery. They are the two not-for-sale prints, “Sohtatsu Gennjohraku” and “Sohtatsu Ryoh oh,” (both 35.5cm x 35.5cm) which are named after the famous Japanese painter, Sohtatsu. To learn more, just go along and – like our two friends, mentioned earlier – discover the screens, scrolls and prints for yourself. The added bonus is that, “Gagaku,” music will be played in the background, all whilst you view what is on offer. And that is not all! As for the silver chasing plates, some have actually been painted with pure gold and they are available to view when you visit.
^MENU A: Free
B: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22 or 38
E: ynagata@xqe.biglobe.ne.jp
L: Arndean Gallery, 23 Cork Street, London, W1
M: Yumiko Nagata, 192-62 Shiga, Ranzan-Machi, Hiki-Gun, Saitama, 355-0214, Japan
T: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly & Victoria lines)
W: http://www.arndeangallery.com/
X: http://www.howtoenjoy.co.uk/countries/japan.htm
http://www.howtoenjoy.info/interests/silver.htm
 

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