UNEXPECTED DIALOGUES Japanese Ceramics in New Contexts

ZOOM Gallery Talk Unexpected Dialogues: Japanese Ceramics in New Contexts Recorded June 22, 2023 Because contemporary Japanese ceramics are so versatile, they can stand in comfortable and even intriguing conversation with all kinds of art. Encompassing a wide variety of forms, styles, surface treatments and patterning, their many alluring aspects speak to other artworks from vastly different cultures and time periods. The resulting dialogues enrich our understanding of not only the juxtaposed art but also of the people who have thoughtfully brought them together. In this ZOOM Gallery Talk, expert panelists show us the many new contexts that they have discovered for contemporary Japanese ceramics. With curator Heather Brown, collectors Nancy and Joe Keithley examine their extraordinary interdisciplinary collection and how it was displayed privately and then publicly at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Curator Mari Hanazato, who was part of the Musée Tomo in Tokyo from its inception, explores how a museum’s physical space is integral to sparking unexpected dialogues between artworks and among visitors. New York-based collector Matthew Nimetz expands upon his reflections in the 2019 book, The Allure of Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, and talks about living with a diverse collection built over decades. PANELISTS: HEATHER LEMONEDES BROWN, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Cleveland Museum of Art MARI HANAZATO, Chief Curator, Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and former Chief Curator, Musée Tomo, Tokyo NANCY AND JOE KEITHLEY, art collectors and museum patrons based in Ohio MATTHEW NIMETZ, art collector based in New York moderated by JOAN MIRVISS 0:00 Introduction 7:10 Collecting Japanese ceramics in addition to collecting Western paintings - JOE KEITHLEY 24:21 Translating an interdisciplinary private collection into a museum context - HEATHER BROWN 38:02 Madame Kikuchi’s unique vision for Musee Tomo in Tokyo - MARI HANAZATO 50:04 Collecting Old Masters prints and drawings alongside Japanese ceramics - MATTHEW NIMETZ 1:08:18 Creating conversations between artworks in a home - JOE KEITHLEY 1:16:23 Curating diverse ceramic artworks in a unique museum space - MARI HANAZATO 1:20:32 Envisioning interdisciplinary exhibitions at an encyclopedic museum - HEATHER BROWN 1:29:38 Closing remarks and gallery updates - JOAN MIRVISS