HURRY AND FAST to see the Kimono As Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art! This exhibit will end on April 26, 2009.Standing next to my friend, Ellen, on my first visit looking at the 30 piece Symphony of Light kimono display, I said to her in a cracking voice "this is too much". Later Ellen commented "how often do we say this is too much beauty"? Can you remember the last time? I had to return to this exhibit to see and feel this beauty once again. I was not disappointed.
The exhibition is not large by many metropolitan museum standards but the quality, craftsmanship and beauty seen in these kimonos is unbelievable. There is a video and displays showing the dyeing techniques and the immense amount of work that goes into each kimono creation which I highly recommend if you are a textile nut.
Master Kubota's vision of the Symphony of Light originally consisted of a collection of 80 kimonos depicting the Four Seasons, a traditional Japanese theme. Unfortunately, Master Kubota did not complete the series for we saw only 30 kimonos. At the age of 60, the autumn of his life, Master Kubota started the collection and thus began with autumn and completed through to winter. The landscapes, colors and textures float from one kimono to the next in a subtle yet intricate design forming a giant masterpiece.
If you decide to take a few moments to see this exhibit you will not be disappointed. For more information go to: www.cantonart.org
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