The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, a woodblock print
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, DuPage County elected officials, College of DuPage leadership, trustees and staff, along with an enthusiastic audience of arts supporters gathered on the McAninch Arts Center stage for the impressive news about the next international art exhibit scheduled for Summer 2025 at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art gallery on the college campus, 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL.
Literally setting the stage--bathed in dramatic blue-water lighting--were white dining tables featuring cherry blossom centerpieces, a buffet of sumptuous Japanese menu items, and live background music performed on a Japanese flute -- all combining to create a receptive mood.
Multiple speakers gave welcoming remarks including Dr. Christine Hammond on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Justin Witte, director and curator of Cleve Carney Museum of Art and emceed by Diana Martinez, Director of McAninch Arts Center.
This new international exhibit is entitled, Hokusai & Ukiyo-E | The Floating World -- Artworks from the Chiossone Collection running June-September 2025. It has been organized by the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in collaboration with the Museo d'Arte Orientale E. Chiossone of Genoa and the support of MondoMostre -- the world's leading producer of exhibitions.
It showcases 50 artworks by the masters of Japan's Edo period (1603-1868). Featured work includes ten pieces by Hokusai --"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" from the series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" and 17 works by Hiroshige, known for his traditional woodblock prints along with pieces by 15 of their contemporaries. These artists offer a window into life during this time period when the city of Edo (now Tokyo) thrived as the center of Japan's economy and culture.
The collection also showcases hand-painted, original silks with gold leaf embellishments as well as complex, multi-colored prints made from carved woodblocks that were meticulously placed and then hand-painted, making each print one-of-a-kind. Additionally, the exhibit will feature a historical area with multi-media elements, a Japanese garden, a children's Edo & Anime area, and an interactive Edo experience with Shogun and Kabuki costumes.
These opulent works represent the Japanese art form known as “Ukiyo-e,” or “floating world images,” in which artists depict an idealized world of grandeur, class, wit, style, and pleasure. The scrolls, prints and fans created during this time brought international notoriety to Japan giving rise to the Japanism trend. Eventually this work influenced other artists including impressionists such as Monet and Degas and later Van Gogh.
New with this exhibit will be extended visiting hours on Friday nights for a more social art museum experience offering a sushi and saki package from 5-7 PM. Various price points of VIP tickets will include audio tours, tote bags, exhibition poster, drink coupons, an expert behind-the-scenes talk, and more.
A variety of exhibit sponsorships and community partnering opportunities are now open along with ideas how to spread the Hokusai inspiration throughout surrounding DuPage County towns. With a similar marketing approach that made the 2021 Frida Kahlo exhibit a smash hit, the Hokusai is bound to make great waves as well!
Opportunities include purchasing an ad ($500) in the exhibit's program designed to look like an Eki Stamp book; publicly displaying a Ukiyo-e inspired image of your own city/village rendered by the museum's commissioned artist ($500) with a formal unveiling; promote the exhibition in your city's communications three times during the show; hosting lectures to name a few.
International art exhibits showcased at the Cleve Carney have proven to perform exceptionally well. The Frida Kahlo exhibit alone drove in 100,000 visitors from 43 different countries and resulted in an impressive economic boost to the local economy.
"Anytime Tickets" go on sale July 24, 2024 and Timed Tickets available starting Fall 2024. Watch here for more info: Hokusai — CCMA (theccma.org)