E-Newsletter: July 2012 - absolutearts.com

exhibitions

closing this weekend!

Masters of Mercy: Buddha's Amazing Disciples

through July 8, 2012, Sackler

Kano Kazunobu's (1816-1863) phantasmagoric paintings reflect a popular theme in Edo art: the lives and deeds of the Buddha's legendary 500 disciples. This exhibition features selections from Kazunobu's 100-painting series created between 1854 and 1863 for the important Pure Land Buddhist temple Zōjōji. Little-known and never before displayed outside Japan, Kazunobu's epic series brilliantly imagines Buddha's disciples at work in the world.

closing this weekend!

Art of Darkness: Japanese Mezzotints from the Hitch Collection

through July 8, 2012, Sackler

Preeminent Japanese graphic art collectors Ken and Kiyo Hitch have chosen the Sackler Gallery as the future home for their 20th- and 21st-century Japanese prints. The first in a series of exhibitions to celebrate this gesture, Art of Darkness features approximately 20 prints and related copperplates that show Japanese artists' innovative uses of the European technique of mezzotint.

films

Life without Principle series

17th Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival

Freer, Meyer Auditorium

This festival is cosponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. All films are in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles unless otherwise indicated.

Life without Principle

Friday, July 13, 7 pm

Sunday, July 15, 2 pm

This tense drama from Johnnie To (Vengeance, Mad Detective) tells three stories of Hong Kong's money-obsessed culture.

Once a Gangster

Friday, July 20, 7 pm

Sunday, July 22, 2 pm

Two rivals vie not to be elected top gangster in this parody of the triad gangster genre.

Lover's Discourse

Friday, July 27, 7 pm

Sunday, July 29, 2 pm

A series of seemingly unconnected vignettes of desire and infidelity create a poignant portrait of modern love, Hong Kong-style.

series

Indian Visions at the Freer

Freer, Meyer Auditorium

Monthly through September 2012. In partnership with Indian Visions; funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts

Alms of the Blind Horse

Saturday, July 14, 2 pm

Actual villagers form much of the cast of this film, which is both a day in the life of a village and a portrait of an underclass on the verge of revolt.

imaginasia

Coiling Dragons

Saturday, July 7; Sunday, July 8, 2 pm

Sackler sublevel 2

Use a miniature activity guide to explore the Silk Road Luxuries from China installation. Discover Tang China luxury objects, such as mirrors, wine cups, and cosmetic boxes, and learn about their foreign inspirations. Then return to the classroom to make your own repouss� Tang mirror.

Cranes and Clouds

Saturdays, July 14 and 28; Sundays, July 15, 2 pm

Sackler sublevel 2

Explore the intricate inlays of cranes, clouds, fruit, and flowers on Korean celadon ceramics. In the classroom, inlay a small plaque with your favorite designs to take home.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

FILMS

Seating for films is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Auditorium doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each show. Film tickets are not available through Ticketmaster.

Image credits (top to bottom): Detail, The Six Realms: Hell, Five Hundred Arhats: Scroll 22, Kano Kazunobu (1816-63), Japan, Edo Period, ca. 1854-63, Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, Collection, Zōjōji, Tokyo. Detail, Robina's cherry, Hamaguchi Yozo ,Japan, 1981, Color mezzotint, LTS2012.1.17.6. Film still from Life without Principle. Film still from Alms of the Blind Horse. Image of ImaginAsia activity by Stephen Eckerd. Korean inlay image by Evelyn Peng.