Larry's Exhibit Redux

Last week we trekked back into SF for the second iteration of the Larry Ellison exhibition at the Asian Art Museum.  The theme of the show is "In the Moment", to convey how certain pieces were displayed for only short period of time, only for a party, or only for a an afternoon for an honored guest. Ellison has his own curator, the former director of the Asian Art Museum, who changes out his pieces twice a month.  So they did the same with the museum pieces.

The museum was much less crowded that our last visit, so we had more time to spend looking at these two screens showing mountainous villages at either end and waves between them.  The lighting changes continuously to show what the screen would look like displayed in a home as the exposure changes throughout the day.  

These were two new screens, sunrise and moonrise.

This was a real treat.  These two screens were originally bright silver, but have tarnished.   The legend went that a courtier dropped the emperor's fan into the water, and the others in the entourage decided to do the same, resulting in a shower of fans falling into and drifting with the water.  Apparently it was such a hit that for a few decades it became a custom, probably encouraged by the fan industry. 

 
This was another new piece showing off two more screens of birds.

We were happy to see that our favorite piece from our first visit was still there, the silver screen with the peacock and the crow.  The label said that it is possible that the screen was based on Aesop's fable that the feather does not make the bird.  We were glad to see it again. 

We were also able to see another temporary exhibit, the cylinder of Cyrus, an ancient cuniform cylinder giving freedom to slaves and others, possibly the Jews, and establishing freedom of religion in the 6th century BC.  It is small, about a foot long. 

It was displayed with a variety of other objects including stamps and seals, an arm bracelet (below), and silver and gold bowls. 

 The small depressions on the bracelet would have been filled with gems or enamel. 

  Still liking that silver peacock and crow screen! 

 

Back at the Island

Saturday was the Vice-Commodore's Event at Eden Isle.  A few weeks ago Maria and Bruce were kind enough to invite us to join them at our old stomping grounds at Eden Isle for the Commodore's Event.  We had a terrific time catching up with old friends, and meeting many of the new members, and seeing all the new improvements to the island. 

Yesterday we returned as guests of Wilma and Steve, who invited us, along with their friend Mel, to the Vice-Commodore's soiree.  Everyone was again very gracious and welcoming, and we enjoyed every minute!  Thanks to Bruce and Maria for visit #1, to Wilma and Steve for visit #2, and everyone for two very lovely days on the delta.

A Nice Segway..

around Oakland with SegwayofOakland.com....

There were geese....

and we were off! 

Thank you Larry Ellison

With the BART strike bearing down on us, we decided we had better get into SF for the Larry Ellison exhibit at the Asian Art Museum.  In connection with the America's Cup, Ellison has loaned many objects from his Japanese collection to the museum. We had read about his collection when the exhibit opened a few weeks ago.  He has his own curator who takes things on and off display every couple of weeks.  With that in mind, the items on display at the museum will be changed on August 20, and with any luck (and no strike) we will try to get back to see the second batch. 

We headed to the Civic Center, near City Hall...

and my alma mater, Hastings College of the Law...

to the museum. 

The first two rooms are dominated by a large gold silk screen.  There is a 12 minute loop of lighting and sounds (crickets, wind, etc.) to show how the screen changes in appearance in different lighting conditions. 

We both loved this one -- a troop of bugs going on a feudal procession. 

For me, this one was the highlight, a silk screen in silver.  At the far left end, a peacock in full plumage...

while at the far right, a crow looking back ruefully at a peacock feather. 

This was Tom's favorite, a Hokusai scroll. 

Stay tuned for part 2!