If there is one blessing to a family full of women, it is the amount of vintage items one can find in a dark basement. One day while rummaging through a closet in my grandmother's house, I came across this beautiful silk Kimono from Japan. I am not sure how it ended up in my family's possession but the beauty of the fabric blew my breath away (and not just from the dust that has accumulated over the years!) When looking closely at the garment, the primary colors have remained bright and stand out from the beige background. The details on each flower are impeccable and I wish the photo was of better quality so you all can see! But take a look at the simple lines and dots that create texture and depth to the image. In a way it gives this kimono a realistic feel despite the cartoonish projection. I have noticed and admired this cartoonish quality of Japanese art for the past year. In fact my first introduction was to the woodblock prints of Hiroshige at the MFA in Boston. Despite depicting reality, there is this sense of fantasy to some of the art. Colors are heightened and simple lines keep the details present and complex looking. This is what art is to me- a way of interpreting your own reality in a unique way. As I leave you, take a look at this website, http://www.hiroshige.org.uk/ . It is a great introduction to Japanese Woodblock Prints.
Peace,
Jenny
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