Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy
Phoebe Washer Kokeshi. 2009
Kokeshi originated in the north of Japan in a region called Tohoku, and often were the toys of the children of farmers or souvenirs for visitors to nearby hot springs. Handmade out of wood, they traditionally were characterized by a slim trunk for a body and a larger round head. As a Japanese folk toy, kokeshi are believed by some to be charms that can help ward off dangers, especially fire. The wood of the mizuki tree is often used for kokeshi and mizuki literally translates as “water tree.â€
In the post-World War II era, a new style of kokeshi emerged alongside the traditional: the sosaku (creative). Kokeshi with different shaped heads and bodies, an assortment of colors and even the introduction of hair were designed as part of the sosaku movement. In the sosaku tradition, the only limits were governed by the imagination of each kokeshi designer.
The Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition will be presented in three sections: traditional, contemporary American; and custom. The traditional will include examples of the 10 classic styles and post-war creative movement. On display in the first section will be over 200 breathtaking examples of traditional kokeshi dolls from the extensive collection of Itske and Anthony Stern.
The second section of the exhibition stands in brilliant contrast to traditional kokeshi, showcasing the work of eleven contemporary artists who produce interpretations inspired by — and which pay homage to — these humble dolls. Artists for this section include Nicole DeLeon, Alexandra Gjurasic, Sachiho Hino Lee, Margaret Kasahara, Emi Motokawa, Joji Okazaki, David and Kazumi Kobayashi Svenson, Phoebe Washer, James Watts, and Kathy Yoshihara.
The third section is curated by Christina Conway in a lively reprise of her hit 2007 show in San Diego. This section presents a thoroughly eclectic display of all new work. Over 100 well-known international contemporary artists demonstrate the breadth of their artistic inspiration and the malleability of form and concept, and all based on the same simple kokeshi form each was given. Among the artists participating are David Horvath & Sun-Min Kim, APAK, Kozyndan, Hine Mizushima, Amy Sol, and Tara McPherson.
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
213-625-0414
www.janm.org
