Invitation to a Lecture on Japanese Art and Origami Workshop at Liepāja Museum

On Thursday, June 20, at 17:00, the curator and researcher from the RIGA BOURSE Art Museum, Kristīne Millere, will be delivering a lecture on Japanese culture and art. The event will be held at the Liepāja Museum, located at Kūrmājas pr. 16/18, which will conclude with an origami workshop.

The fascinating world of Japanese art began to influence Europe only after Japan opened its borders in 1868. This cultural exchange quickly gained popularity and inspired many Western artists and artistic styles. During her lecture, Kristīne Millere will talk about the differences between the art created by Japanese artists for European markets and those intended for their domestic audience, exploring the reasons behind these distinctions.

The discussion will cover key art movements in Japan, shedding light on the Japanese ceramics and porcelain, including export porcelain and items crafted for local use. It will also highlight the uniqueness of Japanese varnishes and the artistry involved in varnished items. Furthermore, the lecture will provide insights into Japanese painting and graphic arts, the nuances between these forms, and the impact of Japonisme on European and Latvian art.

Kristīne Millere researches the Latvian National Museum of Art's Asian Art Collection, curates Asian art exhibitions and cultural events, and works on issues of decolonizing expertise in museums. As Vice President of the European Asian Collections Network since 2021, she is actively involved in mapping Asian cultural heritage in the Baltic States.

After the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a creative origami workshop. This traditional Japanese art of paper folding creates intricate and decorative shapes without the use of cuts or glue, tracing its history back to the 6th century when paper was introduced to Japan from China.

As reported, until June 30, the Liepāja Museum's enfilade will feature the exhibition "Amazing Applied Art of Japan's Tohoku Region," displaying 70 works of applied art across various genres, including ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, metalwork, wood, bamboo, and more.

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