Edo Avant-Garde (2019) reveals the story of how Japanese artists of the explosively creative Edo period (1615-1868) pioneered innovative approaches to painting that many in the west associate most readily with so-called modern art of the 20th century. Through groundbreaking interviews with scholars, priests, art dealers, and collectors in Japan and the United States, the film explores how the concepts of abstraction, minimalism, and surrealism are all to be found in Edo painting.
Presented virtually over Zoom during the Covid-19 remote period, a post-screening lecture was hosted on 9 February 2019 by RACHEL SAUNDERS, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Curator of Asian Art, Harvard Art Museums, in conversation with Director LINDA HOAGLUND. The event was co-sponsored by Harvard University, the Tsai Lecture Fund, Asia Center, Fairbank Center, Harvard-Yenching Institute, Korea Institute, South Asia Institute, Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, and Reischauer Institute.
Edo Avant Garde (Trailer) from Linda Hoaglund on Vimeo.
Post-screening Lecture with Director Linda Hoaglund and Rachel Saunders.
More information about this film screening and lecture can be found HERE on the H/AM website.