The Flinn Gallery, located on the second floor of Greenwich Library is pleased to announce the return of Japanese sculptor and sound artist Akinori Matsumoto for the final exhibition of the 2021-2022 season.
The opening reception in the gallery is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 6:00 – 8:00pm with Akinori from Japan in attendance. The reception coincides with Asian Heritage month.
Akinori Matsumoto Sound Garden is a site-specific multi-dimensional sound and shadow art installation, curated by Francene Langford and Dianne Niklaus. In 2015, the gallery presented the artist’s solo debut in the US, Akinori Matsumoto Sound Sculptures, which captivated visitors and lured them back for more, resulting in record-breaking attendance.
With a career spanning over four decades, Matsumoto boasts an extensive resume of exhibitions and collections in his native Japan and throughout Asia, in festivals, galleries and museums. He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards.
Co-curators Langford and Niklaus, who have each lived in Japan, are excited to bring this unique blend of contemporary and traditional aesthetics to the Greenwich community. “Akinori considers this exhibition to be the culmination of his life’s work,” says Niklaus. Langford adds, “He wishes to offer an Asian art perspective, one which has unique sensibilities and expressions that contrast with Western aesthetics and values.”
Featuring a delightful menagerie of ‘sound objects’ handmade by the artist from bamboo, wood, and paper, Akinori Matsumoto Sound Garden will feature locally sourced native plant materials including generous donations of bamboo stalks from Sleepy Cat Farm and heirloom apple and cherry tree branches gathered from the grounds of the Greenwich Historical Society. As distinctive as his use of sound, Matsumoto’s fascination with shadows is a central theme of the current installation. Screens are used to partition and conceal dozens of objects, which are illuminated from behind to cast a three-dimensional shadow-play effect as visitors enter and meander through an immersive audio-visual experience.
Combining elements of music, theater and art, the result is an organically live acoustic performance and enchanting visual display. Matsumoto’s intent is playful and he delights in full audience engagement. “There is no beginning and no end to my music, nor is the combination of sounds composed by chance. As they are lit from behind, visitors are projected onto the screen and participate in my work.” Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this magical environment of motion, shadow play and transportive sensory experience. For more information visit the show page.
While the elements of the installation will not be for sale, the artist has created a wonderful collection of ‘otokin’ kinetic sound creations, which will be available to purchase.
Related events:
Thursday May 12, 6-8:00pm
Opening reception
Flinn Gallery
Wednesday May 18, 6-7:00pm
Sound performance with Akinori Matsumoto and guest artist Michael Pestel
Flinn Gallery (extended gallery hours: 5-8pm)
Tuesday June 7, 7:00pm
The Life and Work of Yayoi Kusama, lecture with Page Knox, adjunct professor of Art History, Columbia University.
Berkley Theater (extended gallery hours: 5:00-8:00pm)
Now in its 95th season, the Flinn Gallery is sponsored by the Friends of Greenwich Library, and is located on the second floor of the library’s main branch at 101 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich. A portion of the proceeds of artwork sales supports the library’s public programming.
The gallery is open daily Monday to Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Thursday until 8:00pm, and Sunday 1:00-5:00pm.
For more information call: 203.622.7947 or visit. https://flinngallery.com/akinori-matsumoto-sound-garden/