pliable beauty

July 17, 2007 10:17 AM

Contemporary Japanese bamboo art.
posted by nickyskye (13 comments total)

Wow, a lot of these are exquisite. I've made one bamboo basket in my life and it was very difficult. Much more difficult than working with willow, because it isn't as pliable.
posted by OmieWise at 10:34 AM on July 17, 2007

The site is a pain in the ass (there's no telling what image you'll get after clicking a thumbnail), but the pieces are exquisite.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 10:36 AM on July 17, 2007

This is your KARLSKRONA on drugs. I kept looking at things thinking - where would the cushion with headrest (HÄSTÖ) go?
posted by srboisvert at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2007

Wow. Gorgeous stuff.
posted by languagehat at 11:44 AM on July 17, 2007

Celebrating the Next Generation of Japanese Bamboo Artists
posted by homunculus at 12:00 PM on July 17, 2007

I could look at these all day. Despite the limitations of working with a material of a specific weight and consistency, the results are completely limitless. What's more, they are so much more delicate and ephemeral than similar sculptures made from stone or metal that it completely changes the feeling you have for them. So when I see this, I instinctively want to embrace it, step back from it, and smash it, all at the same time.
posted by hermitosis at 12:07 PM on July 17, 2007

The sinuous shapes are wonderful.
posted by SaintCynr at 12:23 PM on July 17, 2007

These are lovely. Thanks for posting it.
posted by janell at 4:17 PM on July 17, 2007

WANT!
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:31 PM on July 17, 2007

Wow, some absolutely gorgeous work here. So many lovely examples, but this one caught my eye right away, and it turns out it's by a woman artist, of which there apparently aren't too many of in this field.

and nickyskye, thanks again for your concern re: the earthquake.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 PM on July 17, 2007

Beautiful, yes...but US$1,200-16,000???

There are stunning baskets being woven by artisans in nearby villages which are sold at the craft fairs for prices much lower than my monthly mortgage payment.

Seems like owning one's own gallery is more lucrative than...well, anything.
posted by squasha at 4:58 PM on July 17, 2007

"of which there apparently aren't too many of ..."

Brought to you by flapjax at midnite, Omnipotent Overlord of Grammar.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:05 PM on July 17, 2007

flapjax, you are dear to me and I'm glad you're ok.
posted by nickyskye at 8:11 PM on July 18, 2007