Japan Society is delighted to present two new exhibitions, Bunraku Backstage and Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, on view in New York City this fall.
Alongside live bunraku performances held at Japan Society, Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of bunraku theater. Bunraku, a dramatic art integrating performances of skilled puppetry, shamisen music, and narration, has evolved since the early 17th century in Japan and is recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.” The exhibition showcases working puppets, props, and instruments on loan from the National Bunraku Theatre (Osaka) in celebration of its 40th anniversary, alongside archival materials from the Barbara Curtis Adachi Bunraku Collection. Multimedia installations by contemporary artists Hiroshi Sugimoto, Tamura Yuichiro, and Basil Twist revive and re-interpret the artistic language of bunraku and explore the theater’s ongoing influence and inspiration.
Public programs exploring the contemporary and traditional relevance of bunraku will be held in connection with the exhibition. On November 12, Hiroshi Sugimoto will discuss his innovative reimagining of the 18th-century classic play Sonezaki Shinjū (“The Love Suicides at Sonezaki”), providing insight into the onstage and backstage workings of his novel approach. This will also be a special opportunity to see Sugimoto perform his Ohatsu puppet as she makes a cameo appearance. On November 15, Dr. Henry Smith will give a lecture on the history of puppets and one of the most popular historical stories in Japan, Kanadehon Chūshingura, which debuted as a bunraku play in 1748.
Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, open concurrently with Bunraku Backstage, showcases the artist’s unique kawakakkoii (cute and cool) style of illustration and product design. Conceived as Acky Bright’s design studio, the exhibition offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, witness his freestyle “live drawing,” and participate in making a series of manga-style murals. Performative and interactive, the exhibition will evolve as Acky Bright makes intermittent appearances in the gallery.
The exhibition will feature two new painting series by Acky Bright, KBK-18 and Ah-Un, that each draw inspiration from traditional Japanese art and theater. Underscoring the impressive range of his contemporary art practice, the show will also highlight Acky Bright’s promotional campaigns designed for major companies, including his multimedia designs for the nationwide “WcDonald’s” campaign, YOASOBI x Vaundy’s FRIES BEAT 2024 music video, and the Squid Game coloring book illustrated for Netflix.
To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit japansociety.org.
