City and Country: Views of Urban and Rural Japan by Modern Japanese Print Artists
Through October 9
Gallery 107

Overview: In the first half of the 20th century, Japan's great cities were developing at an astounding rate. The changing urban landscape became a favorite subject for print artists such as Oda Kazuma (1882–1956) and Kasamatsu Shiro (1898–1991) who portrayed the crowded streets of Tokyo bustling with shoppers. At the same time, the lightening-fast urbanization process sparked nostalgia for the scenery of the countryside and the furusato (hometowns) of the mind's eye. The result was idealized visions of rural Japan by such artists as Kawase Hasui (1883–1957). Works showing both of these extremes of city and country are on display. A special feature of the exhibition is recent acquisitions by Hiratsuka Un'ichi (1895–1997) from the Van Zelst family, longtime donors to the Art Institute.

Kasamatsu Shiro. Spring Night: Ginza, 1934. Bruce Goff Archive, gift of Shin'enkan Inc.