All Eyes on You

Traditions Transfigured

The Noh Masks of Bidou Yamaguchi

Opened Thursday, February 11, 2016

Closing Saturday, May 21, 2016

University Library Gallery

California State University, Sacramento

The reception for this art exhibition was on February 11, 2016, unfortunately, the artist was unable to attend the reception, but with this show just opening there is plenty of time to attend the gallery and appreciate the master craftsmanship of the artist Bidou Yamaguchi.

To further grasp a better understanding of the artist and his work I am including a link of the artist giving Kendall H. Brown, PhD an interview who happened to be the guest curator at Sacramento State University for this exhibition.

http://asiasociety.org/texas/artist-shares-inside-look-contemporary-noh-inspired-works

Walking into the main entrance of the University Library Gallery, immediately on the opposing wall are projected images which change showing various pieces of artworks in the exhibition.

Two examples of artworks from the exhibition that were projected on the wall.

With the help of the guest curator Kendall H. Brown, PhD, for this particular art show, the art director of the University Library Gallery, and also, a professor, Philip Hitchcock learned what pieces went together for the exhibition setup. Wearing dual hats so to speak, Professor Hitchcock then was able to configure the best possible layout for the exhibition optimizing viewer enjoyment. 

Didactics' such as the ones shown below were located throughout the gallery to introduce to the viewer the artwork on that particular wall the artwork hung.

Two didactics' about the artwork hanging on the same wall.

Here a group of guests for the exhibition read, and learn about the artworks from the didactic's.

Guests at reception.

In another section of the L-shaped gallery a video is shown on the wall describing how the Noh masks are made.

Video explaining the art of mask making.

As the guests walk around the gallery Japanese music is playing softly in the background to help create the mystical experience of the exhibition. The lighting was purposely positioned to enhance all of the artwork.

Untitled artworks. However, great example of the dramatic lighting for the artwork

Untitled Noh Mask.

This is a close up of the mask I am looking at.

Samantha Hughston looking at a Noh mask.

While many of the masks and other artworks had color on them I was drawn immediately to the one shown below. 

Part of the attraction for this artwork was the achromatic grays the artist used in the mask. The mask had the aura of being mystical to me. The eyes were closed as if in a meditative state of relaxation. As I stood there looking at every mark made by the artist on the mask it had a calming effect to my soul.

Unititled Noh Mask.

No matter where the viewer stands in the gallery there always is a set of eyes from the Noh masks looking at them. This was intentionally done by the art director Philip Hitchcock that I found to be very intriguing. 

The exhibition was enjoyable to view and educational as well in another type of art.