群馬県立館林美術館

The Kashima Shigeru Collection of Modern French Graphics

—From Twentieth-Century Caricatures to Art Deco Book Illustrations and Graphic Magazines of the 1930s

Kashima Shigeru, a scholar of French literature, is known as an avid collector of antiquarian books. From his vast collection, this exhibition focuses on graphics (illustrations and photographs) in French books and magazines dating from the first half of the twentieth century. There are early-twentieth-century satirical magazines, gorgeous mode (fashion) or ballet illustrations, publications issued by department stores reflecting an urban lifestyle, deluxe editions of Art Deco illustrated books dating from the 1920s, and graphic magazines of the 1930s, in which photographs played the leading role. Through these numerous examples, we shall explore the expressions in the new age and their “modern” aspects.

Kashima Shigeru Collection ©NOEMA Inc., Japan
*Deposited at the Nerima Art Museum.

Wood Carvings by Hashimoto Mio —A Journey with Animals

The wood carvings created by the sculptor Hashimoto Mio (b. 1980) represent animals she is close to in her daily life and those she has met and bonded with in person. The characters and memories of each one of these animals are captured, and they have a warmth as if they are alive and breathing. This exhibition consists of the original pen-and-ink drawings for a picture diary entitled “May Tomorrow Be a Kinder Day,” which Hashimoto sent to a close friend when she was twenty-three, and her wood carvings. Presented here are a variety of scenes in which living creatures the artist has come across live in. They are presented in the form of a journey through the world of sculptures by Hashimoto Mio, which will put you in a somewhat tender-hearted mood.

Through the eyes of Japanese and European collectors Royal Copenhagen and Scandinavian Design : Art Nouveau to Modern

With focus on Denmark and Sweden, the charms of Scandinavian designs are introduced through mainly porcelain, silver, and glassware dating from the end of the nineteenth century to the twentieth century. The flow of Scandinavian designs from Art Nouveau to modern is traced through approximately two hundred rare vintage works on loan from collections in Japan and abroad, including examples of Royal Copenhagen, which is renowned for its production of high-quality porcelain, and Georg Jensen, famous for its silverware.

Dear Animals and Plants

Animals and plants, like human beings, are organisms living on the earth. We human beings have discovered such existences differing from us, observed and learned their characters, and sometimes nurtured, sometimes taken their lives. Amid such long and deep ties, different feelings toward them including astonishment, curiosity, fondness, love, and awe have resulted in the production of numerous artworks. In this exhibition, a rich variety of representations of animals and plants, which can be described as close companions to us, are introduced from works in our collection.