A major solo exhibition of Louise Bourgeois, one of the most important artists of the 20th century, opened today at the Mori Art Museum. The exhibition, which brings together a collection of works by Bourgeois, known for creating 'Maman,' the iconic giant spider sculpture symbolizing Roppongi Hills, is titled 'Louise Bourgeois: I have been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful.' The exhibition will run until January 19, 2025.
Louise Bourgeois, Maman, 1999/2002, Bronze, stainless steel, marble, 9.27 x 8.91 x 10.23 m, Collection: Mori Building Co., Ltd, Tokyo
Born in Paris in 1911 and passing away in New York in 2010, Bourgeois worked across various media including installations, sculptures, drawings, and paintings throughout her 70-year career. Her work explores the tension inherent in binary oppositions such as male and female, passive and active, figurative and abstract, conscious and unconscious, coexisting these concepts through her unparalleled sculptural prowess.
The source of Bourgeois' art primarily lies in her complex and traumatic childhood experiences. By evoking memories and emotions, she expressed conflicting feelings and psychological states such as hope and fear, anxiety and comfort, guilt and atonement, tension and release. Her works featuring sexuality, gender, and the body are also highly valued in the context of feminism.
This exhibition marks the first in Japan in 27 years and is the largest solo show of Bourgeois' work in the country. Over 100 works will be presented in three chapters, offering a comprehensive overview of Bourgeois' oeuvre. The subtitle, 'Louise Bourgeois: I have been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful', is a quote from one of her late works, reflecting Bourgeois' emotional fluctuations, ambivalence, and sense of black humor.
Louise Bourgeois, Untitled (I Have Been to Hell and Back), 1996, Embroidered handkerchief, 49.5 x 45.7 cm, Photo: Christopher Burke © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
A notable feature of this exhibition is that more than half of the works will be shown in Japan for the first time. In particular, many late works created after 1998 will be included, with about 80% of the fabric works making their Japanese debut. Additionally, over 10 early paintings, which have recently garnered global attention, will be exhibited together, including some premiering in Asia.
The exhibition will also highlight Bourgeois' spider-themed works, including "Maman," the iconic public art piece symbolizing Roppongi Hills. For Bourgeois, the spider symbolized both her industrious mother and the complexity of motherhood.
The exhibition walls will feature Bourgeois' own words. As a talented writer, her words delve into complex emotions and psychological states, aiding in the understanding of her works. New works by conceptual artist Jenny Holzer, using Bourgeois' words, will also be on display. Additionally, visitors can view video recordings of performances organized by Bourgeois, featuring Susan Cooper, who was active in New York's underground scene.
1. Louise Bourgeois, Arch of Hysteria, 1993, Bronze and polished patina, 83.8 x 101.6 x 58.4 cm, Photo: Christopher Burke © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
2. Louise Bourgeois, Shredder, 1983, Wood, metal, and painted plaster, 244.2 x 218.4 x 289.6 cm, Photo: François Fernandez, © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
3. Louise Bourgeois, Crouching Spider, 2003, Bronze, brown and polished patina, and stainless steel, 270.5 x 835.7 x 627.4 cm, Photo: Ron Amstutz © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
4. Louise Bourgeois, The Good Mother (detail), 2003, Fabric, thread, stainless steel, wood, and glass Sculpture and stand: 109.2 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm, Photo: Christopher Burke, © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
5. Louise BourgeoisThe Destruction of the Father, 1974, Archival polyurethane resin, wood, fabric, and light, 237.8 x 362.3 x 248.6 cm, Collection: Glenstone Museum, Potomac, MD, USA, Photo: Ron Amstutz © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
6. Louise Bourgeois, Clouds and Caverns, 1982-1989, Metal and wood, 274.3 x 553.7 x 182.9 cm, Photo: Christopher Burke © The Easton Foundation/Licensed by JASPAR, Tokyo, and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The exhibition is structured in three chapters based on Bourgeois' family relationships, which were the source of her creativity. Chapter 1, "Don't Abandon Me," explores her relationship with her mother; Chapter 2, "Back from Hell," deals with her conflict with her father; and Chapter 3, "Repairing the Blue," focuses on mending broken relationships and emotional liberation.
Two columns connecting these chapters chronologically introduce Bourgeois' early important works, allowing visitors to trace her artistic development. The exhibition will also feature a 10-meter timeline detailing Bourgeois' 98-year life and 70-year career, along with archival materials such as psychoanalysis records and exhibition flyers. Visitors can even experience the scent of "Shalimar," Bourgeois' favorite Guerlain fragrance, with a perfume bottle on display.
Various events are planned in conjunction with the exhibition, including curator talks, family art programs, school programs, and accessibility programs. An audio guide narrated by actress Fumi Nikaido will also be available, offering commentary and highlights of the works.
Louise Bourgeois, who considered herself a "survivor" and overcame various hardships through art, offers us hints on how to overcome even "hellish" suffering through her work. This exhibition promises to be highly suggestive for those living in the contemporary world.
Louise Bourgeois: I have been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful
Dates: September 25, 2024 (Wed) - January 19, 2025 (Sun)
Venue: Mori Art Museum (53F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Until 17:00 on Tuesdays)
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Closed Days: September 27-28, October 23, December 24, December 31)
Website: www.mori.art.museum
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