Confluence. Aliska Lahusen and Takesada Matsutani

A painter and sculptor from Łódź and an artist from Osaka working with a range of media – both world-famous, avant-garde artists, both working in Paris – come together at the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology with a joint exhibition Confluence. Aliska Lahusen and Takesada Matsutani. As the title suggests, the exhibition intertwines different stories and artistic attitudes, just like mountain streams flowing down from the snowy peak of Mount Fuji. Both artists seek inspiration from Japanese art and culture. Although Matsutani uses contemporary European techniques, his sparse, abstract works take viewers on a journey to a world inspired by Oriental contemplation. His monumental installations, reflective paintings and works on paper force us to focus on the here-and-now. In turn, Lahusen’s fascination with Japan is revealed as a philosophical understanding and minimalist composition style, and – most of all – through her skilled use of the traditional lacquer decoration techniques. The artist’s luminous artworks take us on a journey to a world of peace and meditation. It’s certainly an exhibition not to be rushed… (dd)