An hour at the museum

Today has been a lovely day! After riding bikes with Patrick to his work I decided to soak in some culture (and some air conditioning) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I got there just in time for a guided tour of a fairly new exhibit called "The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to Present." It was a very small exhibit, about 50 pieces, but just perfect for the hour-long tour. We learned about several Japanese traditions shown in the works on view such as an appreciation for empty space, a focus on craftsmanship and connections to the intellect. One piece, a small glazed porcelain pot used in tea ceremonies, really caught my eye. It was made by an artist who lives in the north of Japan on a small island. I could really feel the ocean in the way he shaped the vessel and applied the glaze.

The exhibit made me think about my dad, who is a builder of wooden boats. He has made 2 kayaks so far and is working on another with his friend. I think they are all "stripper" boats, not because naked ladies ride in them, but because they are made of many thin strips of wood glued together. It is a time-consuming process, requiring many steps and a lot of patience. Good craftsmanship is key, since all the pieces have to line up neatly and be sealed perfectly. The tour guide said that one of the wooden screens in the exhibit took 2 1/2 years to complete because after every step the piece had to dry fully. What patience! What perseverance! What passion!

Here is a picture of my dad's friend showing my Grannie the boat they are building. That is the bottom part, I think they have now moved on to the top.