The first overseas exhibition of the "Maitre d'Art" (Maitre d'Art), which was established in 1994 based on Japan's Living National Treasures (Important Intangible Cultural Properties), "French Living National Treasures Exhibition," will be held at the Hyokeikan Museum of Tokyo from September 12th to November 26th.
The title is awarded to the highest skilled artisans in French traditional crafts, and currently there are 124 certified Maitre d'Artists. Approximately 200 works will be on display at once by 15 selected artisans, primarily artists certified as Maitre d'Art. Approximately 75% of the works will be newly created for this exhibition. After its unveiling in Tokyo, the exhibition will tour various Asian countries as part of the WONDER LAB project, initiated by HEART & crafts, the organizing organization that continues to work to spread Parisian traditional crafts worldwide. "This exhibition is a journey through the past, present, and future of traditional French artisans, dating back to the days of the monarchy. The 15 artists featured in this exhibition share a common goal: not only do they preserve tradition, but they also constantly innovate and prioritize passing on their skills to the next generation," said French Ambassador to Japan Thierry Dana. Artists who receive this honor are required to take on apprentices for at least three years, passing on both their skills and their tools. Also participating in the exhibition are artists who stayed and worked at Villa Kujoyama in Kyoto, a newly renovated facility opened by the French government three years ago for these artists and artists. Works created through collaborations with Kyoto's traditional artisans will also be on display. Nelly Saunier, a featherwork artist who gained attention for her dresses for Jean-Paul Gaultier and has worked on haute couture for brands such as Chanel, Nina Ricci, and Givenchy, stayed at Villa Kujoyama in 2015. Wallpaper artist François-Xavier RICHARD, who has restored wallpaper dating back to the 18th century that was beginning to disappear in the mid-20th century, will be staying in the area until April 2017. This time, he will be creating wallpaper in collaboration with Lina Ghotmeh, who will be in charge of the exhibition design.
In addition, Jean GIREL, one of France's most famous ceramic artists, who has dedicated his life to the study of Yohen Tenmoku for over 40 years, will be exhibiting 60 new tea bowls for this exhibition. Additionally, Laurent NOGUES, an embossing artist known for creating invitation cards and gift sets for haute couture houses like Chanel, Dior, and Saint Laurent, as well as luxury brands like Armani, will be exhibiting a book made with "Pachika," a specially processed paper, in cooperation with a Japanese paper manufacturer, that can be touched and read by the blind. Collaborative works incorporating new Japanese technologies and traditional crafts will also be on display. The following are the main designers participating this time: Christian BONNET, a tortoiseshell artist and eyeglass designer known for his work favored by Yves Saint Laurent, Jacques Chirac, François Mitterrand, and Maria Callas; and Serge AMORUSO, a leatherworker who studied aikido and has worked on custom orders for Hermès, with numerous clients in Japan, including the Rothschild family and the Sultan of Brunei. Particularly renowned for his techniques using exotic leathers, this time he will be creating seven different bags of the same style.
Lison DE CAUNES has revived the straw inlay technique that was popular during the Art Deco era through the restoration of antique pieces.
As a costume designer, he has provided costumes, corsets, umbrellas, etc. to Givenchy and Dior.
Michel HEURTAULT is a bespoke umbrella maker who handles all processes himself after receiving a custom order for a parasol from Saint Laurent.
In addition to restoring old fans, he has also created pop-up fans inspired by Japanese origami that reveal three-dimensional decorations when unfolded. Sylvain LE GUEN created all of the fans used in Sophie Coppola's film Marie Antoinette. Pietro Seminelli, an artist who has worked with Peter Marino on the interior design of Chanel and Dior boutiques, and whose works were exhibited at Yohji Yamamoto's Paris boutique in 2016; Gerard Desquand, a leading heraldic engraver, one of only four in France; and Roland Darasp, a leading gold and silversmith who creates gifts for state guests received by the French presidential government at the Élysée Palace. Emmanuel Barrois, a leading expert in the restoration of stained glass windows in churches, has collaborated with Jean Nouvel, Paul Andreu, Kengo Kuma, and Satoshi Takeyama. Fanny Boucher, an artist who uses the technique of printing images on copper foil, known as Héliograndbule, a technique registered by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, and of which only 10 people in the world know). This time he will be presenting works themed around samurai armor.
After studying various metalworking techniques, Nathanael LE BERRE is a brass craftsman who creates works that combine elements of both sculpture and decorative art.
【Exhibition Information】
"French Living National Treasures"
Dates: September 12th - November 26th
Venue: Tokyo National Museum, Hyokeikan
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30am - 5:00pm (last admission at 4:30pm)
Closed: Mondays except September 18th and October 9th (closed on September 19th)
Admission: Adults 1,400 yen (1,200 yen / 1,100 yen), University students 1,000 yen (800 yen / 700 yen), High school students 600 yen (400 yen / 300 yen) *Prices in parentheses are for advance tickets/groups of 20 or more
Organizers: Tokyo National Museum, NHK Promotion, The Asahi Shimbun, HEART & crafts
Text: Tatsuya Noda
