JAPAN AND THE WEST

In Japanese culture, emptiness and simplicity have long been the central principles of design, and are allied closely to Zen Buddhism, which places an emphasis on spirituality. This fascinating book explores Western Minimalism and the concept of 'meaningful emptiness' in Zen art, examining their differences and similarities. Examples of traditional Japanese craftsmanship are juxtaposed with works of Western art: Barnett Newman's Gate from the 1950s is contrasted with an eighteenth-century scroll painting, and Alberto Giacometti's sculptures with a statue of the Buddha from the seventeenth century. Japan and the West poses fundamental questions about artistic production and the reception of twentieth-century art, and highlights significant influences on art forms throughout the ages.