The Malden Public Library is currently hosting “Lasting Impressions of Japan: Hokusai & Hiroshige and Beyond,” an exhibition that features ukiyo-o prints by many Japanese artists. Along with the prints the exhibition also includes impressive examples of “Japanese traditional dress and ceramic art, including formal, semi-formal, and casual kimono, haori jackets from the collections of the Malden Historical Society.”
This event opened on January 23 and will be open until March 23. Both the Malden Public Library and the Malden Historical Society are featuring amazing artistic pieces which are a big part of Japanese history.
The library purchased these historic prints in the year 1912, This will be the first exhibition of these prints in over 100 years. The prints were made by Japanese artists Hiroshige, Hokusai, Kunisada and Kuniyoshi, who had their artworks featured at this event. The artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi influenced the creation of the popular anime and manga that exist today.
These prints were later brought to Europe and America, where they influenced many Western artists, but not before they left their impact in Japan.
This event was hosted by Dora St. Martin and John Tramondozzi. In commenting on the goal of the exhibit, Tramondozzi said “The goal is to make people aware of [what is] in Malden at this point. Also, [the goal is] to educate people with that [they] have in the library and at the Malden Historical Society and give [Malden residents] another outlook on things that [they do not] see all the time.” St. Martin added that “[she] always thinks that through the art you can be inspired to create your own.”
The idea for this event was brought up after they had found the three major pieces, the woodblock prints, and decided to build around them and create and exhibit for the public to see. The library has been collecting art since 1879 and they have a fund that is used only for the purchase of new artworks. The library also has an art committee who is always looking for new art to buy and add to their collection. Tramondozzi said “[the Malden Public Library gets] a lot of pieces from the Historical Society, some by purchase but usually by donations,” to which St. Martin adds by saying “[the library loves] donations!”
The Malden Public Library holds many exhibits throughout the year, but each one is unique and different. The thing that makes this exhibit unique is the fact that people have not seen these pieces for a very long time. St. Martin stated that “[She] also thinks that [it is] unique because [they are] combining art and object.” She added that “[she thinks it is] really wonderful to be able to see not only art but the environment that the art came out of, not just see it in an art piece. Instead of seeing someone in the art wearing a Kimono, perhaps you can actually see a Kimono.
Both the Library and the Historical Society play a huge role in this exhibit with the art coming from the library and objects coming from the Historical Society, and both came together to tell a story. Tramondozzi stated that “essentially [they] are collaborating.”
Overall the exhibit is a success and is a great way of showing Japanese history. Anyone who is interested in exhibits such as this one can stay updated to the Malden Public Library website and learn about the new art exhibits that are soon to come.
