Chiba Sogen

Chiba Sogen 3.11 Requiem and Revival (from the Chiba Sogen exhibition, Requiem and Revival Part II, at sendai mediatheque)　2012

Chiba Sogen of the Shodo Geijutsuin〔Founded in 1947. In 1952, began actively displaying overseas, with their first exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Today the group is a comprehensive array of divisions, including kanji, kana, contemporary literature calligraphy, seal carving and avant-garde works〕. Here he presents new works, displayed in a new manner, from his series 3.11 Requiem and Revival. Earlier works from this series were included in the 1st TOKYO SHO exhibition. Seven years have passed since The Great East Japan Earthquake and Related Disasters, and while recovery and revitalization continues in the disaster zones, there is also evidence of weathering in these areas. Amidst such circumstances, these works confront face on the question, what can only be expressed through contemporary calligraphy. Chiba himself is a survivor of the disaster, and incorporates strong messages for the people of the disaster zone in these works. His hope that this exhibition will allow an even wider audience to see, know and feel these works. Chiba's new work is included here. One direction being taken in avant-garde calligraphy, as seen in this work, is the shedding of the character nature of each character, making each viewer consider the definition of the work itself, is it calligraphy, is it not?

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