A Disaster Through Artists' Eyes

Art has the ability to promote peace or provocation. It can soothe or stir up. Sometimes, it has the power to do all of these things simultaneously. And that is the case with 2:46 and Thereafter, an exhibit by a group of Japanese artists at the Edison Gallery on 8th Street.

The title refers to the exact time that the powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku area of Japan on March 11 of last year, damaging nuclear reactors and, for a time, threatening the entire nation.

Members of the Dandan art group were commissioned to create new works based on their feelings and reflections of that natural devastation, about 20 of which were on display here.

"The disaster reminded us of the importance of being humble in the face of the might of Mother Nature. We can never conquer nature; we must learn to live with it," says Dandan General Director Kazuko Aso. "It makes us look at what is the essential value in life? - the value that can never fully be satisfied with materialism."

Probably the most ironic piece is by Mosaharu Fotoyu. It is a replica of an illuminated sign that hung at the entrance to a shopping center less than 3 miles from the damaged Fukushimo Daiichi nuclear power plant. In Japanese, that bright signs reads: "Atomic Power is the Energy of the Brighter Future."

In one piece, "Afternoon" by Yasushi Ebihara (pictured above), there was a definite connection (at least to me) to the famed Japanese monster of nuclear awakening Godzilla. In this painting, a young, sad-looking woman is laying on the floor. Her unnaturally long black hair flows everywhere, appearing almost twisted in to the electric cord powering the single pole lamp illuminating the room. Strewn around her are toy houses and trucks, similar in position to those uprooted by the disaster. Above her prone body looms an ominous, supernaturally large preying mantis.

Another colorful piece was a 2-set painting by Ryota Unno. In the first, called "Tohuko's Ark", historical characters like drummers, dragons,, and baseball players practice local traditions.  In the 2nd, "Tohoku's Hero," rescuers and builders work to restore the Ark and its mountainous area. In both pictures, a giant tsunami is striking.

In another series of 3 works, Shinichi Tsuchigu used photographs he had taken of the area to create 3 picture puzzles in shadow boxes. The pictures all were missing pieces, some of which were scattered on the edges of the 3 framed boxes.

"This work represents my belief that the affected area, too, will make a full recovery and complete its picture," Tsuchiogu says in a booklet describing the exhibition, which was scheduled to close on March 25.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips

This particular exhibit may be closed, but there is no shortage of things Japanese to do in DC over the next 4 weeks. It is Cherry Blossom Festival time and flowers and Japanese cultural art works are blooming, not just in the tidal basin and the National Mall, but all over the city. For anyone wishing to take part in the festivities, here are a few on-line sites with suggestions and schedules you can check out.

• Cherry Blossom Festival 2012
• Cherry Blossom Turns 100
• Official Cherry Blossom site

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