Visual history demonstrating the links between fine art and popular culture

 

Cultural News, 2009 February

 

The Samurai Re-Imagined: From Ukiyo-e to Anime

Feb. 19 – Aug. 9

Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena

 

Actor Portraying a Samurai by Toyokuni III, 19th century (Pacific Asia Museum Collection)

 

 

Pacific Asia Museum’s new exhibition, The Samurai Re-Imagined: From Ukiyo-e to Anime uses the image of the iconic samurai warrior to explore the roots of the popular Japanese art forms of manga (graphic novels) and anime (animation). By juxtaposing traditional and contemporary works of art -- woodblock prints with animation cels, for example -- the exhibition creates a visual history demonstrating the links between fine art and popular culture.

 

The roots of manga and anime can be traced back to “funny animal” scrolls, traditional calligraphy, monochromatic ink painting, and Ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

 

The Samurai Re-Imagined is the first to present modern art forms of manga and anime in the context of continuing Japanese artistic traditions.

 

The exhibit includes woodblock prints and paintings along with samurai swords and accoutrements from the Pacific Asia Museum’s collection; plus animation productions cels and drawings, motion picture stills, posters, toys, and comic books and manga on loan from private collections.

 

As a related event, Japanimation Festival will be held at the museum on Saturday, March 14, noon – 4 p.m. The Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101, (626) 449-2742, www.pacificasiamuseum.org.