The Michael Hoppen Gallery in London presents Okashi, an exhibition bringing together a kaleidoscope of works and objects on the visual identity of an eclectic Japan still little known to the public.
The concept of okashi is part of the history of Japanese aesthetics and corresponds to the beauty, even the happiness that comes from encountering strange and unexpected things. The exhibition brings together photographs, textiles, theater posters, erotic prints (shunga), and even engravings illustrating the traditional practice of blackening teeth, ohaguro.
The eclecticism of Michael Hoppen’s collection can be explained by his numerous trips to Japan: « My fascination with Japan was first sparked by the discovery of Japanese photo books and magazines when I was a young photographer in the 1970s. When I first visited Japan 20 years ago, I was totally blown away by its energy and diversity. I was captivated and seduced by almost everything I saw. »
Okashi also presents Ordeal by Roses (1963) by Eikoh Hosoe, the delicate series of portraits by the writer Yukio Mishima, as well as the works of Masahisa Fukase, Daido Moriyama, Masitoshi Naito, Shomei Tomatsu and Gen Ōtsuka.
Okashi
April 13 – June 30, 2024
Michael Hoppen Gallery
10 Portland Rd
Londres W11 4LA, Royaume Uni
www.michaelhoppengallery.com
