World-Leading Artistic Creators Interpret Ukiyo-e
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK in Milano Salone 2015
“Homage to UKIYOE”
The "Homage to Ukiyoe" project, first exhibited as part of the Tokyo Design Week in Milano Salone 2015, enabled six of the world's most renowned comtemporary artists and designers to become ukiyo-e (traditional Japanese woodcut print) artists. Collaborating with the carvers and printers of the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints, and guided by the "Homage to Ukiyoe" theme, these currently active creators produced contemporary ukiyo-e expressing their own individual interpretations of the woodcut prints of Japan's Edo period (1603–1867) that influenced Van Gogh and Monet. The participating creators included Dan Schlesinger, who is famous for creating the cover art for the Japanese edition of the Harry Potter series, and James Jean, who has designed artwork for Prada.
The "Homage to Ukiyoe" project was originally conceived as part of Tokyo Design Week, a design festival held in Tokyo's Jingu Gaien area annually for the past 30 years. This design festival was featured at the Milano Salone del Mobile in April 2015, where the contemporary ukiyo-e were first unveiled to great acclaim. The exhibition marking their triumphal return to Japan is open for viewing during the main Tokyo Design Week 2015 from October 24 to November 3.
