Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

PRESS RELEASEPRESS RELEASE 2022.11.27

Václav ŘEZÁČ, White landscape, 2018, Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

Collection exhibition Onomatopoeia in Glass Art
2022.11.19 Sat – 2023.6.4 Sun
Toyama Glass Art Museum, Floors 4, Exhibition Room 4 & Transparent Storage
Contact
Toyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, Japan
Tel 076-461-3100
Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp1Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

PRESS RELEASE

Hours: Sun-Thu 9:30-18:00 (admission until 17:30), Fri-Sat 9:30-20:00 (admission until 19:30)
Closed: First and Third Wednesdays, December 29, 2022-January 1, 2023, 10 May 2023
(except for 3 May)
Organizer: Toyama Glass Art Museum
Admission: <General Public & College Student> 200 yen (170 yen)
*Price in brackets for groups of 20 or more.
*Admission fee is free for high school students and younger.
*Tickets also allow admission to the Glass Art Garden at the 6 floor.
Number of works: 24 pieces
Artists: Václav ŘEZÁČ, Erwin EISCH, Kristina USLAR, KADONAGA Kazuo, KOJIRO Yoshiaki,
GONJO Mafune, SASAKI Masahiro, SUGASAWA Toshio, TAKAHASHI Yoshihiko, NAKAO Yuko,
FUJIKAKE Sachi, HONGO Jin, Marta KLONOWSKA, MURO Shinichi

About the exhibition
This exhibition of works from the collection focuses on “onomatopoeic” elements in glass art.
The term onomatopoeia encompasses inanimate phonomimes (giongo) like the sound of “knocking” ata door, and phenomimes (gitaigo) that represent psychological states and actions such as“heart-pounding” excitement. Living in Japan one finds onomatopoeia frequently woven into
conversation as a language available to all, from tiny babies to grown adults, that on occasion also
serves as a reliable way to communicate our thoughts in a more nuanced fashion.
So what about glass-related onomatopoeia? Whether it is the painful togetoge spikiness or “Ouch!” ofchiku evoked by a sharp broken shard; a fluffy fuwafuwa or puffy pukupuku lightness that overturns
our image of glass as a cold, hard material; the soft, gloopy torori, dorori of falling molten glass; or thekirakira glittering or pikaa! flash when light passes through glass or is reflected by it—when we turn
our attention to the onomatopoeic elements in glass works, as well as finding they make glass art a
more familiar and relatable presence, we may find ourselves amazed at the sheer breadth andpotential of glass art expression.
Join us to unearth this unexpected wealth of onomatopoeia in glass art, and explore more of the many
mysteries surrounding this endlessly versatile material.

Contact
Toyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, JapanTel 076-461-3100
Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp2

Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

Section_1

PRESS RELEASE

togetoge, chiku

The glass that surrounds us from day to day consists of items like tumblers and vases, and the pointy
shards that ensue when such items fall and shatter are something we can all imagine very vividly. Thissection presents works that focus on the idea of glass as a fragile, dangerous, sharp material.
Section_2

fuwafuwa, pukupuku

Two properties of glass typically cited are cold, and hard. This section showcases works of glass art
that turn that image on its head: works of a warmth and softness very much at odds with ourpreconceived notions of this time-honored material. These include a piece with the airy lightness offabric, made by forming a cube from plate glass, heating the glass to soften it then blowing in air to
inflate it, and using its own weight to twist it and produce pleats and creases; and a work reminiscentof a fluffy freshly baked loaf, made by mixing powdered glass and calcium carbonate and firing, the“bread” forming as the glass bubbles and expands.

Section_3

torori, dorori

The soft, syrupy state of falling molten glass is a face of glass not widely witnessed, and it is hardly
surprising that so many artists are also fascinated by this mysterious, heat-driven morphing. Thissection features works that radiate the tension, energy, and very breathing of artists dealing withtemperatures of over 1400 C° and the glass melted in this fiery heat.

Section_4

kirakira, pikaa!

One of the most seductive qualities of glass is its ability to reflect light. We have all been mesmerized
by the light-induced effect of gorgeous, glittering glass, and comparing the offerings in this section
reminds us of the myriad works that make use of its reflectiveness, according to whatever aspect of
this property takes the artist’s fancy. Pause for a moment in front of each to discover the unknown
delights beyond that reflected light.

Related Programs
Curator’s Talk
Dates: 27 November, 11, 24 December 2022, 8, 28 January, 5, 18 February, 19, 21 March, 1, 23 April,
6, 28 May, 4 June 2023

each at 14:00-

Venue: Toyama Glass Art Museum
Language: Japanese* No reservation

ContactToyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, Japan
Tel 076-461-3100
Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp

3Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

PRESS RELEASE

Exhibited works (partially)

12

3

1．GONJO Mafune, Scent of mist, 2017, Photo: SUEMASA Mareo
2．FUJIKAKE Sachi, Vestige, 2018, Photo: OKAMURA Kichiro
3．Václav ŘEZÁČ, White landscape, 2018, Photo: SUEMASA Mareo
4．HONGO Jin, Fragments, 2008, Photo: OKAMURA Kichiro

All of the works listed above are collection of Toyama Glass Art Museum.

4ContactToyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, Japan
Tel 076-461-3100
Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp

4Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

PRESS RELEASE

About Toyama Glass Art Museum

56

With the grand vision of creating a ‘Glass Art City, Toyama’ Toyama Glass Art Museum opened inAugust 2015.
Toyama Glass Art Museum was built in TOYAMA KIRARI, a composite facility, which is also occupiedby the Toyama City Public Library Main Building. As the Art Museum is located in the city centre ofToyama City, it not only serves as a hub of art and culture, but it also plays a role of generating new
attraction for the city centre.

Kengo Kuma, a world- renowned architect, designed this building. The Exterior of the building
resembles the ever-changing Mt.Tateyama, and was built with a combinationof different materials,

such as granite, glass, and aluminum. The interior, on the other hand, makes full use of louvers thatuse materials from Toyama Prefecture to create an atmosphere of warmth and openness.

The museum holds Permanent Exhibitions, such as the Collection Exhibition showcasing thecontemporary glass artwork collected by Toyama City. In the murals of the display rooms and thelibrary, there is the ‘Glass Art Passage’ that displays artwork from artists associated with Toyama.
On the 6th floor, there is the ‘Glass Art Garden’ that displays installations by the studio of the great
master of con- temporary glass artwork, Dale Chihuly. In this museum, a variety of art styles are
introduced with a focus on contemporary glass artwork after the 1950s.

Contact
Toyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, Japan
Tel 076-461-3100
Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp

5Unauthorised reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved

PRESS RELEASE

Access[From Toyama Station] 〇20-minute walk. 〇Take the tram (Shinaidensha) for Minamitoyamaeki-mae.
Get off at Nishicho. 1-minute walk. 〇Take the Loop Line tram ( Shinaidensha Kanjō-sen). Get off atGrand Plaza-mae. 2-minute walk. (Tram takes approx. 10 minutes from Toyama Sta. toNishicho/Grand Plaza-mae.)[From Toyama Airport] 〇Take the Airport Bus to Toyama Station (Airport Express Bus/Local Bus(Route no.36)) and get off at Sogawa. 4-minute walk.

Museum official SNS accounts

Instagram

Facebook

YoutubeAccount nameAccount name

Channel nametoyamaglassartmuseum

toyamaglassartmuseum

ToyamaGlassArtMuseum■Images
Images (No.1 - 6) are available for promotional purpose under the following conditions ofuse. If you interested in the promotional use of the photos, please contact the museum atbijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp .

《Conditions of Use》
*Images must not be cropped.
*Images must be published with the work credit and the image credit as listed.
*Any letters or other characters must not overlap with the photos.
*The information should be verified by the museum at the proof stage.
*The user should send the publication (e.g. paper, PDF, URL, DVD or CD) to the museum.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Contact
Toyama Glass Art Museum
5-1 Nishicho, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0062, Japan
Tel 076-461-3100Fax 076-461-3310
Email bijutsukan-01@city.toyama.lg.jp Web toyama-glass-art-museum.jp

6