In today’s sale of Japanese and Korean Art, a newly discovered wood sculpture of Dainichi Nyorai, the supreme Buddha, attributed to the sculptor Unkei achieved $14,377,000, exceeding its presale estimate of $1,500,000-2,500,000. It set new world auction records including record for Japanese art, and any Asian work of art sold in New York. This price [...]
Posted on March 18th, 2008 in exhibition
The V&A’s survey of modern Chinese design is a thrilling panorama of visual ideas that rival the best in Europe and America.
Hear the words “Made in China” and the image that springs inescapably to mind is one of brightly coloured plastic goods, piled high on the shelves at Poundstretcher. Is there a place for such [...]
Posted on March 15th, 2008 in art fair
It is hard to know if the once-distinguished International Asian Art Fair has been dealt a fatal blow or just knocked backward into starter mode, a phase it had previously managed to skip. The fair was born grand 12 years ago, and for a while grew only grander, sailing along as the flagship of Asia [...]
Posted on March 14th, 2008 in exhibition
A new exhibition at Asia Society captures the fleeting sensuality within the theaters, teahouses and brothels of Edo during the 17th and 18th centuries.
A woodcut from the play, “A Medley of Tales of Revenge,” by Toshusai Sharaku
In the theaters, teahouses and brothels of Edo, pleasure was a serious business. For a period during the 17th [...]