The reason why the temporal world is so delicate is precisely due to its vibrant brilliance. 

The seasons change along with the sun and the moon. In a blink of an eye, we bid farewell to the unforgettable 2020 and usher in a promising 2021. Although it is still difficult to explore the world due to our current situation, we can still sing and talk about the wonders of life as long as we’re with like-minded people.  

 Japanese painters who lived in the Edo era four hundred years ago must have taken advantage of similar interests, drawing from what they saw and heard in life. Through the form of wood prints, they have poetically depicted the transient language of the times, along with the social and cultural imprints of their remarkable era.  

 sketched map of Tokaido Range Rover, Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 

During the stable development of the Edo period (1603 - 1867), the Japanese economy began to develop rapidly. At the same time, the interpretation of the "floating world" began to appear. Although its meaning in Buddhism is unclear, it has been theorized that it implies the fleeting nature of life.  Japanese culture places great emphasis on finding enjoyment in such glorious yet ephemeral beauty, and it had become the vision of the people during that period in time.

"Living only for the moment, savouring the moon, the snow, the cherry blossoms, and the maple leaves, singing songs, drinking sake, and diverting oneself just in floating, unconcerned by the prospect of imminent poverty, buoyant and carefree, like a gourd carried along with the river current: this is what we call ukiyo”. – Asai Ryo, 1661   

 02 Ukiyo-e, woodblock print 

 [Part of the works in this exhibition] The Five-hundred Rakan Temple, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji, 1830s, Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 

the Five-hundred Rakan Temple, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji，1830s，葛饰北斋 Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) 

The ukiyo-e shows an idealized life, comprising leisure and beauty, that had undoubtedly satisfied people's thirst and yearning for a better life during the era. Ukiyo-e has been widely spread among people in different ways, leaving its meaning and significance up for interpretation. 

【此次展出作品】难波屋北 Naniwaya Okita，约1793年，喜多川歌麿（Kitagawa Utamaro 1753-1806）

 WS SPACE 無·集is the third space of composite life aesthetics, which gathers DESIGN home aesthetics selection area, CAFE&LOUNGE food and bar, HOME design exhibition space, GALLERY art and derivatives. Du Ruoyunzhang has been committed to advocating the concept of integrating art, life, design and architecture for seven years, practicing the vision of art as life and life as art. During the exhibition, Young Professionals has provided curated art descriptions, passing on bits and pieces of knowledge.