Time passes slowly

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on July 22, 2012 at 10:52am

Curator’s Comment:  

 

I really like the bold graphic quality of Time Passes Slowly, along with the more subtle injection of pattern, texture, and contemporary content.  The cultural appropriation of Japanese woodcut suits the subject, and for me is reminiscent of the work of Yasumasa Morimura.  Simpler in design, the piece has a strong figure-ground relationship, as the iridescent background holds up against the calligraphic black contour lines.  The faded blue decoration on the figure’s garment is soft and alluring, and therefore creates a foil to the harsh contrast of black and white.  I’m also very intrigued by the “Occupied” stamp in the lower right section.  It simultaneously summons the historic occupation of Japan, while making reference to chop marks on ukiyo-e prints, while ultimately conjuring the contemporary Occupied Movement. Perhaps all three or none are intrinsically implied.