It's all in the detail

An Abu Dhabi exhibition of everyday objects transformed into works of art by the Japanese is well worth a look, as Shireena Al Nowais finds out

Despite being known for its advanced technology and modernisation, Japan still manages to produce some of the most beautiful and delicate objects made by hand.

Artisans from the Land of the Rising Sun have transformed modern day objects such as a saucer and a cup into striking works of art. These creations are being displayed in an exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

It might not sound like an obvious attraction to tempt you out in bad weather, but each and every object at the exhibition is crafted with such detail, care and precision that it makes it well worth the visit. Besides, the exhibition is not only about crockery.

Creative
According to the Japan Foundation, the Japanese Handicraft Exhibition introduces two groups of craft objects. First, there are ceramics, textiles, metalwork, lacquer ware, wood, bamboo and paper creations.

These have played an intimate role in the lives of the Japanese, in every region of the island, in the form of cabinets, glasses and chop sticks etc.

Secondly, there are creative works of art, assembled by their artists using skills fostered in the workshop environment. One of the most interesting exhibits, which caught the eye of student Safia Sabbagh, is a group of grasshoppers and insects made out of bamboo.

"I have always been interested in Japanese art," says Safia. "This exhibition, in particular shows how creative they are. The bugs made out of bamboo are fascinating because they look so real."

Smaller scale
Kazuko To Date, chief curator of the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, said Japan saw the modernisation of production during the Meiji era (1868-1912).

"Through this introduction of machines, most of the craft objects that until then had been made by hand were replaced by mass-produced, industrially manufactured goods," he said.

"Alongside the mechanised production that occurred from the beginning of the Meiji era, however, production of hand-made craft objects continued on a smaller scale in independent regional workshops throughout Japan.

"While this workshop system fostered superior artisans, it also gave rise to individualistic, idiosyncratic craft artists."

The exhibition is open from 8am to 10pm and will continue until January 22 at Al Nakheel Hall, in Abu Dhabi.

Go there
The Japanese art exhibition is open from 8am to 10pm and will continue until January 22 at Al Nakheel Hall, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.