AFTER months of renovation, the
By Tim Ryan
Honolulu Academy of Arts' renovated Asian Wing,
housing one of the world's finest collections,
opens Sunday in a gala celebration of
music, dance, cultural demonstrations,
storytelling and lectures.
Star-Bulletin"We can see the light at the end of the tunnel," said George Ellis, Academy executive director. "Our art work are gems and now we'll have the right setting for their display."
At nearly double its original size, new cases that provide curatorial staff greater ease in changing works on display, unimpeded views of the art, and special wooden benches for more contemplative study, this "new" wing allows the Academy to showcase the collection in such a way that "it protects the treasures and at the same time expands the educational opportunities," Ellis said.
The project, one of three phases in the last four years, cost about $1.7 million, Ellis said. The first project was to air condition collection storage areas, about $500,000. To relight, change wiring and air condition the actual gallery cost about $1 million.
The projects were necessary, Ellis said, to protect the collection and present it "in a proper way."
The current renovation includes a complete refitting of casework, new Australian brushwood flooring, and better signs explaining the exhibits and individual art pieces.
The Asian Wing will feature two great halls spotlighting the Chinese and Japanese collections. Within the Japanese section of the wing are specially designed display cases for the large Japanese prints, screens, and scrolls.
This section also has several small alcoves for showing cultural elements of Japanese society such as a tokonoma, or re-creation of an area in typical Japanese living quarters devoted to the display and contemplation of art, and the tea ceremony.
Other portions of the Asian wing for the art of Korea, India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia are slated for similar renovation over the next two years, Ellis said.The renovation, which began in June, included restoring architect Bertram Goodhue's original great hall design, as well as incorporating important original design elements into the new galleries.
The original galleries had been divided into smaller sections over the course of several renovations since the museum opened more than 70 years ago in 1927.
The state-of-the-art casework, which holds and protects the art works, enables the academy's curatorial staff greater ease in changing works on display and allows use of modern techniques for conservation, such as diffused and screened lighting, said Julia White, the academy's Asian art curator. New floor-to-ceiling glass cases provide unimpeded views of works and improve security.
New signs and object labels provide geographic information about the origins of the collection, as well as general descriptions of the materials on display, White said.
Compartments built into gallery benches hold educational books and magazines. In addition, White plans to create resource binders with photos and explanations about the context in which the art was made or used.
"We have created a more user-friendly space so the art can be viewed or studied at greater length but with more leisure, comfort, and understanding," White said.
Ellis said the Asian collection "has become an increasingly important educational resource both nationally and internationally.
"We're really trying to do three things," he said. "We want to ensure that the Academy physically will do well in the future and provide a welcoming and educationally sound environment for those who use it. The collection also must be protected with new environmental controls and materials presented in the most cogent and educationally sound way possible."
The upgrades are part of a master plan that includes renovation of the Education Department, expected to be completed early next year, Ellis said. The renovation of the Fountain Court Galleries and construction of an entire new wing should be done by the year 2000, he said.
The open house will begin with a ceremonial Shinto blessing of the new Asian wing following a procession by Chinese lion dancers from the academy front doors to the new Wing.
Keiki activities include kami-shibai (traditional Japanese storytelling), popular in Japan through the 1950s, when storytellers traveled from village to village on a bicycle rigged with a small stage and cabinets with drawers containing sweet treats for children.
A Japanese Tea Ceremony will be conducted by the Urasenke Foundation. Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, Japanese Taiko drum music, and other Asian music will be featured in the Asian galleries and on stage in the Central Courtyard.
Open house
What: Reopening of the Asian Art Galleries at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, with music, Japanese tea ceremony, lion dance, calligraphy demonstrations, storytelling, and more
