Mucha Exhibition
The Mucha exhibition is being held at the National Art Center, Tokyo.
I had been wanting to go for a long time, but before I knew it, the last day of the exhibition, June 5, was just around the corner.
I knew I had to see “The Slav Epic”, so I went.
The wait was 90 minutes that day. (Wait time around noon).
I didn’t know it beforehand, but there was one room in the exhibition where visitors were allowed to take pictures.
It was the room where “The Slav Epic” No. 15, 17, 18, 19, and 20 were exhibited.
This is what the venue looks like. It is full of people.
Since the works are very large, it was impossible to photograph the entire screen, so I thought it would be better to take a close-up of my favorite part.
This is a part of No. 18, “The Oath of Omladina under the Slavic Linden Tree”.
This is a part of No. 15, “The Printing of the Bible of Kralice in Ivančice”.
I went to the museum shop because I only wanted the catalogue, but it was very crowded. I couldn’t get through the checkout line, so I had to wait in line in the hallway. The clerk was holding a sign that said “Last in line” and there must be more than 100 people in line.
I was about to give up when I saw a sign that said, “The catalog is also available at the shop in the basement. Thank God.
I turned to the shop and was able to buy it with only five or six people in line.
Outside the exhibition room, in the lobby on the first floor, there was an exhibition “The National Art Center, Tokyo, 10th Anniversary and Czech Culture Year Project 'Mucha Exhibition’ Related Project
'The Three Faces of Czech Puppetry’ Exhibition”.
Since I have no knowledge of Czech puppetry, I will quote some of the information from the notice board at the venue.
" (omission)
Puppetry, which began in the mid-17th century, not only incorporated literary works and historical events into its stories, but also created a connection between all classes of society and the theater. Its strength lies in its visuals and powerful stories that appeal to all audiences, its intense and eye-opening subject matter closely related to the Czech national character, its fascinating visual effects, and the skill and humor of its puppetry are all unique and universal features of Czech puppet theater.
For the Czech Republic, a small country located on the geopolitical border of Central Europe, there is no escaping the fate of domination and subjugation. In such an environment, the raison d’etre of puppetry was for the main characters to make comical comments from a third-person standpoint. This spirit of puppetry evolved from the originally well-known “Pimprle, the Clown Puppet” to the characters that are well known in the Czech Republic today. Like the soldier Švejk, he had the ability and will to survive in any situation, and grew into the playful, cheating, but usually cowardly Kašpal, and the familiar to children, Kašbárek.
(omission) “
Each doll has an attractive face, and I liked them so much that I am posting the photos of them.
I had no idea beforehand that this exhibit was going to be there, so I came across a good exhibit.
My legs were tired, but it was an enjoyable day.
By the way, how crowded will the Mucha exhibition be on the last Saturday and Sunday?