Exhibition/event has ended.
Mohamad ‘Ucup’ Yusuf “Catching Javanese Eyes”
Shibuya Hikarie 8/ Art gallery
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Artists
Mohamad ‘Ucup’ Yusuf
This exhibition will present sculptural works and new drawings depicting women enrobed in the traditional wedding clothes of the artist’s hometown of Java. The Java people have been adopting the foreign cultures throughout their long history, while continuously preserving the mentality of ‘Kejawen’- an ethic of native Javanist. The characteristic make up and the detail-oriented garments of Javanese weddings are filled with unique symbols of ‘Kejawen’, and the artist depicted this meticulously so that we may perceive the wisdom and philosophy behind.
Meanwhile, Yusuf has had misgivings about the nature of the traditional ceremonies and rituals inherited by Javanese people today: they have become simply over-formalized while the philosophy and the ethic of their toots have been forgotten. These brides at first glance appear happy, dressed up in vivid attire - but their eyes are painted a jet black, and we cannot interpret their emotions from their facial expressions. Within these mysterious eyes exists the mystery of all things that are impossible to explain within the bounds of reason; yet at the same time, they also bear a sense of the empty void which sometimes strikes us unexpectedly - a feeling of doubt shared by all those who live in our contemporary world. In this exhibition, Yusuf both expresses the respect he feels towards the notion of ‘Kejawen’, whilst inviting viewers to question their own affiliated cultures and deeply-held psychological beliefs.
Meanwhile, Yusuf has had misgivings about the nature of the traditional ceremonies and rituals inherited by Javanese people today: they have become simply over-formalized while the philosophy and the ethic of their toots have been forgotten. These brides at first glance appear happy, dressed up in vivid attire - but their eyes are painted a jet black, and we cannot interpret their emotions from their facial expressions. Within these mysterious eyes exists the mystery of all things that are impossible to explain within the bounds of reason; yet at the same time, they also bear a sense of the empty void which sometimes strikes us unexpectedly - a feeling of doubt shared by all those who live in our contemporary world. In this exhibition, Yusuf both expresses the respect he feels towards the notion of ‘Kejawen’, whilst inviting viewers to question their own affiliated cultures and deeply-held psychological beliefs.
Schedule | Jun 22 (Wed) 2016-Jul 18 (Mon) 2016 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||
| Venue | Shibuya Hikarie 8/ Art gallery http://www.hikarie.jp/8/en/  | ||
| Location | 8F Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002 | ||
| Access | Direct walk from exit B5 at Shibuya Station on the Fukutoshin and Hanzomon lines or Tokyu Den-en-toshi line, Direct walk from the 2nd floor passageway of Shibuya Station on the JR or Keio line. | ||
| Phone | 03-6434-1493 | ||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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