An Indian artist converts multimedia exhibition conceived before the tragedy into a tribute.
‘The Japanese Girl’ a multimedia exhibition by Ajay De, his Japanese wife Ryoko Oshida and photographer Ritam Banerjee though conceived six months before the Japanese tsunami tragedy is converted into a ‘tribute’ to the silent resilience of the Japanese people in their times of hardship and rebuilding.
“As Japan reclaims its life—inch by inch—silently and resolutely like an empress and not a foot soldier, we celebrate its beauty. And like the rest of the world, pray for a day when the sun rises in the east again, without fear, without grief,” said Ajay and seeing by the bonhomie of the multitude of Japanese people that attended the opening one would never imagine what they are really going through in their hearts.
“I was always fascinated by Japan and its culture since childhood, but I never imagined at the time that I would one day end up marrying a Japanese girl! Japan can never quite be pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. Although deceptively familiar—sushi, ikebana, tea ceremonies, geishas and cherry blossoms—Japan’s rich, ancient culture remains just as inscrutable as our own, beautiful, yet confounding, distinctive, yet mystifying. What a perfect inducement for an artist to lift its veil; to look for something new or rediscover the quaint, old order of Japanese aesthetics. After marrying Ryoko, I delved even deeper into Japanese culture and history and learnt about their distinct culture. She belongs to a traditional Japanese family and is one of the youngest Japanese Tea Ceremony Masters. This inspired me to put up a show which would highlight Ryoko and her culture from my perspective. I thus developed a unique style of composition, which blended my charcoal painting, photography and her performance,” said Ajay.
Ajay’s charcoal artistry is already well known over the years .He is master of his art. Ryoko excels in calligraphy and is a qualified Tea Ceremony Master in Japan and went to great lengths to demonstrate the Japanese Tea ceremony in full Japanese regalia. Shooting Ryoko was a ceremony in itself for Ritam Banerjee. Excellent pictures, those bring out the beauty of the colourful traditional Japanese Kimonos along with accessories. Angular lighting adds drama to his photography.
The Zen garden, flags, posters add to the ‘tribute’ along with 1000 origami birds that were mounted on the tree by most who attended the opening as a silent prayer to the people of Japan.
Event: At Gallery Art and Soul, Mumbai till April 6, 20011.
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