photo: SAIKI Taku
Yamata no Orochi
| Artist | NOGUCHI Harumi |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
| Material/ Technique | ceramic, wood |
| Size/ Duration | H54.9 × W73 × D29cm |
| Copyright Notice | © NOGUCHI Harumi |
| Year of acquisition/ donation | 2012（寄付採納年月日：2012/11/07） |
| Description | Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1948. Lives and works in Saitama. In 1973, Noguchi Harumi began working in illustration. Resolving to become a ceramic artist, however, she in 1994 established a kiln in Higashimatsuyama and began creating ceramic dolls. Her dolls are inspired by myths of oni (demons and devils) and araburu kamigami (malignant gods). Despite their mysterious air, however, they have a healthy charm and friendly demeanor like something appearing in a fairytale. In size, even the largest are no taller than 40-50cm, and they are created using blackish clay rich in iron oxide, which she covers with a thin white slip and fires at high temperature. The figures are of a size to fit nicely in Nogichi’s hand, and truly, she views them as evidence of her own being alive. For her, to create is to live; the one is inseparable from the other. "Wind", "Boar", and "Yamata no Orochi" are reoccurring themes among the mythical dolls Noguchi creates. They are nature gods representing the awesome powers of nature, such as the land, wind, air, and movement of celestial bodies, who appear to us in a personified form. Noguchi’s dolls are born as elements of an unfolding mythical narrative, animistic in composition. Their clear, cheerful expressions are a distinctive feature of Noguchi’s work, which is never depressing or sad. The grayish white clay, which imparts a relaxed, monotone air to the dolls, also has a role in producing their personalities. The dolls are often exhibited individually, but when several are displayed in a group, they impart movement to a space and evoke a narrative world. |
NOTES
This Collection Data page contains the works and materials in the collection of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, as of April 1, 2018.
Artists are listed alphabetically by artist’s surname.
Works and materials by the same artists are listed according to the date of the work in principle.
Works whose dates are unidentified are listed at the end of each item. Some works are not listed according to the date of work due to their relations.
The data of works and materials are listed in order of title, production year, material/technique/form, dimensions, donor’s name, copyright holder and credit for photograph.
Dimensions are given by height (H) x width (W) in centimeters for plane work, and height (H) x width (W) x depth (D) in cm for 3-D work. Diameter (Ø) is used for circular work.
For the name of country or city, the name currently used in English is listed in principle.