Mosaic exhibition at Mosaic Tile Museum Tajimi
opened January 25 and closes on May 10
Our journal Mosaic-Review continues the Stories about the most significant events in the mosaic world.
The mosaic exhibition in Tajimi (Japan) actually opened recently is the third exhibition of the “Mosaic Exhibition-2019” organized by Mosaic Art Association in Japan. First one is held at Azamino, Yokohama in last October and second one was held at Orie Art Gallery, Kitaaoyama Tokyo. in October just after.
The mosaic exhibition in Tajimi opened at the Mosaic Tile Museum Tajimi on January 25 and closes on May 10.
In addition to Japanese artists, invited foreign artists also participated in the mosaic exhibition. The exhibition jury selected the winner as well as two works that took second and third places, also two other mosaics were awarded with a special prize.
The city of Tajimi is famous for its pottery industry, and one of its towns, Kasahara, boasts the largest production volume of mosaic tiles in Japan. The Mosaic Tile Museum showcases the town’s specialty in a unique building designed by world-acclaimed architect Terunobu Fujimori.
The exhibition rooms on the third and fourth floor display a vast collection of beautiful mosaic tiles and informational materials, allowing visitors to learn about the deep history of tiles.
The Mosaic Tile Museum was established with the aim to preserve the cultural value of this historic local industry and displays a collection of informational materials and products related to tiles that local volunteers have amassed since 20 years ago.
Except in rare instances where mosaic tiles are used in famous architecture, mosaic tiles are mostly discarded when dilapidated buildings are demolished. At a time when local tile production was starting to decline, and it was felt that the local tile industry needed a way to maintain pride in its manufacturing heritage, a few volunteers set about salvaging tiles from buildings earmarked for demolition.
The volunteers recall how their requests were initially met with bewilderment, but their activities have resulted in the preservation of the extremely rare materials forming enormous collection today. The saved materials are now in storage at the Mosaic Tile Museum Tajimi, which became their new home and gallery.
Covered from floor to ceiling in white tiles, the open exhibition space on the fourth floor designed by Terunobu Fujimori houses a vast collection of mosaic tiles selected by the architect himself, such as mosaic tile picture designs, painted tiles, and a retro washbasin and bathtub.
Terunobu Fujimori (architectural historian, architect)
Terunobu Fujimori believes that “earth” is the most fundamental material constituting a built structure. Tiles are, of course, among the many building materials made by firing earth. The design for the upcoming Mosaic Tile Museum was inspired by views of quarries for extracting clay, the raw material of tiles.
Unlike other ceramic products such as chinaware and porcelain ware, tiles have not always been objects of appraisal and appreciation. By giving the museum building a form that directs fresh attention to earth—the source of tiles—it is hoped that the museum will serve to highlight the infinitely rich variety of products originating from this raw material, and also inspire new possibilities for the use of earth and tiles.
Taking its cue from the architectural design of the Mosaic Tile Museum, the motif, based on a typical clay quarry landscape, is embedded with mosaic tiles. The design highlights tile’s origin in earth, and expresses the diversity of the programs and projects the museum is expected to conduct and take part in.
Now we present prized mosaics at first and all other mosaics exhibited in mosaic show.
The first prize got mosaic by Sachiko Myokawa – “Long Absence”.
Второй и третий призы достались мозаикам Toshimi Mori «AMBIVALENCE 1910»
The second and third prizes was given to mosaics by Toshimi Mori -”AMBIVALENCE 1910”
и Eiko Konno – “Blue stones”,
Also exhibition committee awarded “Opens widely” mosaic by Takuya Sakurai (Mosaic tile museum prize)
and “Osaka Summer Siege” by Masaaki Nakano (Nagoya mosaic tile Co.Ltd prize).
Mosaics of other artists were in full accord with the spirit and significance of the modern mosaic exhibition. All artists are world-famous mosaic masters, regular participants of international exhibitions and other mosaic events.
При подготовке статьи были использованы материал, предоставленные художником-мозаичистом Тойохару Ки, а также материалы сайтов https://www.mosaictile-museum.jp/ и https://www.ana.co.jp/.
