Michiko Fukumoto, impressions from Himeji

The prestigious painter tells our newspaper about the 7th Bienniel of Modern Art, ‘The Silk Road of Art in Himeji’

The spotlight has gone out for many days now on the VII Biennial of Modern Art ‘The Silk Road of Art in Himeji’, the splendid exhibition that took place from Friday July 2nd Sunday July 11th the enchanting Japanese castle UNESCO World Heritage Site, of which we dealt with in a previous article, interviewing two of the protagonists, Mariangela and Vincenzo Cacace, from Campania.

We have specially waited so long before asking the painter Michiko Fukumoto, a member of the Biennale committee and exhibiting since the first edition in 2008, to give us a brief account of the exhibition, to dwell on her impressions and the feedback from visitors, to give her time to complete the works that follow such a prestigious event and arrange the return of the works to their respective homelands.

We recall, in fact, that the biennial, originally scheduled for 2020 and postponed due to Covid-19, conceived by the internationally renowned sculptor Shikama Koziro, involves artists from all over the world: this year, in total 43 from Japan, Italy, Mexico, USA, Bangladesh.

Were used six rooms of the noble manor, which removed the partitions, became two large rooms, where paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs were exhibited.

Local newspapers and TVs gave particular prominence to the event, with on-site interviews, and the response from the public was more than positive. The Mayor of Himeji himself, Hideyasu Kiyomoto, intervened, congratulating him on the excellent organization, given the difficulties of the period, and on the project of such high cultural value.

Michiko says:

Despite of the current pandemic, and as a result of careful consideration and courageous decisions, we were finally able to present the VII Biennial of Modern Art ‘The Silk Road of Art in Himeji’.

Unfortunately, the lectures and presentations originally planned by the artists, the American Gene Johnson and the Italian Antonella Maglizzo, had to be canceled. There were also no opening ceremonies, parties or meetings, that traditionally accompany this type of event.

The health emergency and the rainy season in Japan didn’t prevent art lovers from accessing the museum in its privileged location near the magnificent and majestic Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site.

The Mayor, Hideyasu Kiyomoto, honored us with his presence and we were delighted. He visited the museum, observing the entire exhibition with extreme attention.

The works of Master Shikama brought a special, magnificent elegance to the exhibition this year. The artists chosen thanks to his keen eye, were all noteworthy. Moreover, by virtue of his talent and fame, he is esteemed and respected by many persons.

Through the deep bond between the Italian Antonio Lieto and the Japanese Shikama Koziro, the Italians Antonella Magliozzi, Francesco Pernice, Francesco Zaccone, Kika Bohr, Maria Amalia Cangiano, Stefania Fantone, Mariangela Cacace and Vincenzo Cacace were able to exhibit.

An American professor, who lives in Himeji, contemplating Vincenzo Cacace’s painting ‘Eidetiche riduzioni e sogno’, exclaimed: “Wonderful!”

The work, color, composition and story of ‘Esser Sorta e poi Scomparsa’ by Mariangela Cacace were also very popular.

In fact, I extrapolated and translated into Japanese, from your English version, the answers of the interview with her and her father to post them next to the canvases, so that they themselves, through their words, could explain the meaning of their works.

A social worker in her 50s said:

“I come to see this exhibition every time it is presented because, for me, it makes art accessible and enjoyable”.

Ms. Imazato, one of our members, said she wanted to line up 1,000 Kika horses. Many visitors admired Gene Johnson’s great paintings.

I was so impressed to see a college student again who is now 20 years old. In 2008, during the first edition of the Biennale, at the age of just 6, he participated in the installation of Shikama’s work. He still remembers his experience of placing broken pieces of stone around Koziro’s beautiful sculpture.

Mr. Ikusima’s granddaughter, now a high school student, who came with a friend of hers, spent more than two hours not only on her grandfather’s sculpture, but also on the other artifacts.

Mr. Horie, who has come all the way from Nagoya to exhibit his paintings, said:

“I am very happy to show my works at this modern art exhibition and to meet the citizens of Himeji”.

One of my former students was with his son, a college art student. It is so good to know that I have made a difference in someone else’s life by seeing our Biennale over the years.

And it is exactly the thought shared in your interview by Vincenzo Cacace, who points out:

“And we can, all artists of all trends, offer our contribution of Art and Thought to the General Heritage of Humanity… each with its own personal, small brick… conscious to be part of a Great Construction”.

Satisfied, Master Shikama concluded:

“The meaning of holding a contemporary art exhibition is always to highlight the artists who are confronted with their own creative endeavors. An exhibit is providing a place to support human beings as such. Artists and citizens, even at the time of Covid-19, were able to meet and enjoy Art! And it’s not cheap!”

Beauty remains the only cure for the spirit in this very special period…