Exhibitions
Japanese Print Exhibition
Intrare liberă / Free entrance
Kabuki Actors and Theatre Scenes - from the George Şerban Collection at the National Theatre of Bucharest
The first Romanian exhibition of Japanese prints from the 18th and 19th centuries, with Kabuki theatre actors and scenes, originating from a private collection.
A curatorial selection of more than 140 Japanese prints from the 18th and 19th centuries, originating from the George Şerban private collection, is presented for the first time to the Romanian audience at the National Theatre of Bucharest (NTB) on June 12, 2018.
The exhibition shall be followed by the release of a dedicated album.
George Şerban's collection of prints contains over 1,000 works by over 50 Japanese artists from the 17th century on, continuing with the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
The exhibition is organized by the Şerban and Associates Law Office in partnership with the National Theatre of Bucharest.
The Kabuki Theatre has been the favourite subject of the major Japanese art schools in their history, which you will find in the exhibition, as well as in the ensuing album, as follows:
Torii School, 18th century: initiated by Kiyomoto, but actually founded by Kiyonobu (1664-1729). Members were Kiyomas (1696-1716), Kiyonobu II (active between 1740-1755), Kiyohiro (active from 1750-1766), Kiyonaga (1752-1815), as one of the most famous, Kiyomine (1796 -1868), Kiyotsune (active between 1764-1770), Kiyotada (1715-1740) and Kiyoshige (1720-1760).
Katsukawa School, founded by Shunsho (1726-1793), represented by Shunei (1768-1819), Shunko (1760-1827), Shun'ei (1770-1820) and Shunsen (active between 1800-1823).
Saraku (active in 1794) produced about 140 works, most portraits of actors (no other data are known about him)
The Utagawa School, founded by Toyoharu (1733-1814), was asserted by Toyokuni (1769-1825), Kunimasa (active in the period 1722-1810), Kunihisa (active from 1840-1860), Kuniyasu (approx. 1800-1830), Toyomaru (approx. 1758-1815), Kunisada (1786-1865) and Kuniyoshi (1797-1861): Chikanobu , Hiroshige, Kunisada II, Kunisada III, Kuniyoshi, Sadatora, Toyokuni I, Toyokuni III, Yoshitaki, Yoshitora.
Each of the artists above is dedicated an exhibition area that contains, besides original works, a dynamic presentation with details of works and presentation information on the 8 monitors that surround the exhibition space.
During the exhibition, the Yamamoto Theatre of Osaka shall have a representation in NTB Studio Hall on 19th June 2018.
The George Serban collection comprises three main directions: modern and contemporary Romanian art, European art and Japanese art. The Japanese Print Exhibition - actors and scenes of the Kabuki Theater - from the George Serban Collection at the National Theater of Bucharest announces at the same time a future series of exhibitions dedicated to Japanese art on various subjects or artists.
Opening: Tuesday 12 June 2018, 6 pm
The exhibition is open: 12 June - 1 July 2018
National Theater of Bucharest - Foyers of the Studio Hall
Curator: Cosmin Nasui
Researchers and documentarists: Alina Cretu, Alina Şerban, Alexandra Jianu
Exhibition design and architecture Rizi Design
Restorer: Eugen Costache
Sponsor: Serban Lawyers' Association and Associates
The album accompanying the exhibition is published at PostModernism Museum Publishing. A limited edition of 50 albums will be produced, accompanied by original prints.
Translated by Simona Nichiteanu







