[Collection] "Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art" Bunkamura The Museum Flyer
The roots of monsters are here! A 500-year mental trip at Bunkamura's "Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art" exhibition
This time, I will bring you the full charm of "Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art: From Bosch to Magritte to Jan Fabre," held at Bunkamura The Museum in Shibuya.
I was drawn in by the strange monsters depicted on the flyer, but once I stepped inside, it was a "world of strange dreams" that was both terrifying and beautiful, spanning 500 years.
## 🎨 Who is the star of the flyer? "Hell" painted by Bosch's workshop
First, what catches the eye is the intense painting that serves as the main visual for the flyer.
This is a part of a work called "The Visions of Tondal" by the workshop of Hieronymus Bosch, a genius who was active in the 15th and 16th centuries.
* A giant severed head: A huge blade is piercing through its ear, and a monster is peeking out from its eye.
* A mysterious bathtub: Below that, sinners are being immersed in liquid in a large cauldron.
* A bipedal mouse (?): A strange creature cheerfully playing an instrument in the foreground.
Because it is realistic and strangely lifelike, it has a mysterious charm that is eerie yet somehow comical, making you stare at it for a long time.
## 📜 The history of "fantastic art" passed down for 500 years
The interesting thing about this exhibition is that it covers the "same genetic code (DNA)" that flows through the land of Belgium, from medieval monster paintings to contemporary art.
## 1. The beginning of fantastic art (Middle Ages to Renaissance)
Masters such as Bosch and Bruegel (the Elder) visualized human sins, hell, and proverbs as "grotesque monsters."
This is the origin of everything.
## 2. Diving into the inner world (Late 19th century, Symbolism)
The anxious spiritual world of the fin de siècle is depicted, such as the eerie "masks" painted by James Ensor and the eroticism drifting within the silence of Fernand Khnopff.
## 3. Embodiment of the mental world (20th century, Surrealism)
René Magritte and Paul Delvaux, who are also very popular in Japan, make an appearance.
It evolves into a philosophical "fantastic" that disrupts everyday scenery with impossible combinations.
## 4. Inheritance to the Present
Contemporary artists like Jan Fabre are reviving that tradition in the present day through radical and stimulating installations.
It is not just "scary" or "gross"; every work from every era is depicted with "superb realistic technique," making them incredibly persuasive.
It was an exhibition where I was constantly overwhelmed by the depth of Belgian art, which cloaks the anxieties of reality and the true intentions of humanity in humor and fantasy.
• From the inside of the flyer
A 500-year journey through art! Three otherworldly realms to explore at "The Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art" exhibition
I will provide a detailed report on the contents of the "The Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art: From Bosch to Magritte to Jan Fabre" exhibition held at Bunkamura The Museum in Shibuya, along with the highlights of each chapter.
This exhibition was truly a magnificent "mental trip," tracing the "fantastic" in Belgian art over approximately 500 years from the late Middle Ages to the present day in three chapters!
## 🏰 Chapter 1: 15th-17th Century Flemish Art ~The Origin of Monsters and the Invitation to Hell~
The journey begins with Flemish painting, which brought forth "impossible fantasies" upon a foundation of thorough, realistic realism.
* The Genealogy of Bosch and the Impact of Rubens
Starting with "The Vision of Tondal," a work from the workshop of Hieronymus Bosch that graces the main part of the flyer, it is a parade of demons and monsters!
Works like the "Demon of Pride" showing a mirror to a young woman visualize human sins and desires in a way that is both humorous and eerie.
* The Baton Passed by Bruegel and Others
From the very beginning, I was overwhelmed by the power of the genealogy—how Pieter Bruegel (the Elder) and others inherited the roots of the "fantastic" created by Bosch, and how masters like Rubens later developed it further.
## 👁️ Chapter 2: Belgian Symbolism and Expressionism from the Late 19th to Early 20th Century ~Turning Away from Reality, Toward the Inner World of Dreams~
"The inexplicable" once faded into the shadows due to the scientific advancements of the 18th century.
However, at the end of the 19th century, following the Industrial Revolution, painters turned their eyes once again toward "the human inner world, dreams, and the unconscious."
* Escapism from Reality and the Spiritual World
Works such as Jean Delville's "Medusa" are on display, characterized by a sense of tranquility that is nonetheless unsettling, carrying hints of eroticism and death.
* The Genius of Masks and Skeletons
It is thrilling to see how star artists of the era, such as James Ensor and Fernand Khnopff, sublimate the anxieties of reality into their own unique fantasy worlds.
## 🍏 Chapter 3: From 20th Century Surrealism to the Present Day ~Modern Fantastic Art That Shakes Up Daily Life~
The final section is dedicated to modern art from the 20th century onwards, which continues to stimulate our creativity to this day.
* The Mental Worlds of Magritte and Delvaux
René Magritte and Paul Delvaux, both hugely popular in Japan, make an appearance. They disrupt the combinations of the everyday things we think we know (skies, birds, figures, etc.), gently yet sharply shaking the viewer's common sense.
* The "Gene of Fantastic Art" Living in the Present
Furthermore, we move on to provocative sculptures and installations by contemporary artist Jan Fabre.
It is deeply moving to realize that the DNA of the monsters painted by Bosch 500 years ago has been firmly passed down to contemporary art in new forms.
Why are we drawn to the "fantastic"?
The history of Belgium has been one of being tossed about between major powers.
Perhaps that is why the painters did not just depict the visible reality, but instead projected the "light and darkness within their hearts" onto the canvas.
• From the back of the flyer
3 points you can't miss & a summary of audio guides and event information!
Beyond the appeal of each chapter of the exhibition, the "Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art" exhibition is also making waves for its display methods, related events, and the quality of its audio guide.
I will report on the "summary of highlights" you should check before visiting, as well as information to help you enjoy the exhibition to 120%!
## 💡 Pay attention to this! The "3 Major Highlights" of the exhibition
## ① A quick review of 500 years from the Middle Ages to the present day!
Approximately 120 works are gathered here, ranging from 15th and 16th-century Flemish painting to 19th-century Symbolism and contemporary art.
It is rare to have an opportunity to see such a long history of "fantastic art" all at once, organized by theme.
## 2. A grand gathering of 30 star artists from all times and places!
From the followers of Bosch, Bruegel, Rubens, Khnopff, Ensor, Magritte, and Delvaux, to the contemporary Jan Fabre,
all the stars of Belgian art are assembled here.
It is truly fun to compare the different approaches of each artist!
## 3. A department store of expression! Enjoy Belgian art with all five senses
What makes this exhibition interesting is not just the paintings and prints.
Various forms of expression such as sculptures, sound, and installations are scattered throughout.
You can fully enjoy a free and original world where fantasy and aestheticism, irony and humor are blended, using all five senses.
## 🎧 The audio guide is by none other than Sho Hayami!
The narrator for this audio guide is the highly popular voice actor Sho Hayami.
That low, deep, somewhat mysterious, and charming "beautiful voice" will navigate you through the strange and fantastic world of Belgian art.
If you listen to the commentary while gazing at the paintings, you can experience a deep sense of immersion as if you have truly wandered into another world, so I highly recommend renting it! (Recording time: approx. 30 minutes / 520 yen)
## 🗓️ The events and workshops are also super luxurious!
During the exhibition period, many special events that art fans will love are being held.
* Commemorative lecture "The World from Bosch to Bruegel"
A deep lecture by Yoko Mori (Professor Emeritus, Meiji University) that unravels the roots of fantastic art.
* Special talk "The Genealogy of Fantastic Art Connecting the Middle Ages and the Present"
A luxurious conversation between Nobuo Tsuji and Hisako Koike, approaching the essence of "fantastic art" across East and West.
* Summer vacation project! Workshop by 3D artist Hideyuki Nagai
An interactive event that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, featuring Mr. Nagai, who is a hot topic for his "3D trick art" where drawings made only with pencils seem to pop out.
## 🏛️ Exhibition Information
* Venue: Bunkamura The Museum (Next to Tokyu Main Store, Shibuya)
* Access: Approximately a 7-minute walk from the Hachiko Exit of JR Shibuya Station
* Same-day tickets: General 1,500 yen / University & High School students 1,000 yen / Junior High & Elementary students 700 yen
(*Advance tickets and group discounts are also available)
From medieval demons to stimulating modern art, it was a wonderful exhibition that kept my brain stimulated throughout.
Since it is being held in Shibuya, why not take a trip to another world while you are out shopping?
• Episodes, trivia, and more
I have compiled trivia and behind-the-scenes stories about the "Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art" exhibition, which are very interesting as blog material or reading material!
## 👁️ Behind-the-scenes stories and trivia about the flyer's star, "The Visions of Tondal"
* Was it actually a mystery "when it was painted" until recently?
The main visual of the flyer, "The Visions of Tondal," was long thought to be one of the "Bosch-style paintings (imitations)" that became popular after the death of the master Hieronymus Bosch.
However, a scientific investigation just before the 2017 exhibition revealed that it was made using the same materials and from the same period as Bosch's authentic works.
It was proven to be an authentic piece created in his immediate vicinity (workshop) during Bosch's lifetime, which caused a stir in the art world.
* What is the identity of the "giant severed head" in the center?
This is not just a ghost, but is considered to be a literal embodiment of the "sinners who reject God" described in the Christian Bible as having eyes but seeing nothing, and having ears but hearing nothing.
That is why if you look closely, the eyes are vacant and see nothing.
* The source material is a medieval "near-death experience" story
This painting is based on an actual tale called "The Visions of Tondal," written by an Irish monk in the 12th century.
This is a story about a knight named Tundale who lived a life of debauchery, choked on his food one day, fell into a state of suspended animation (near-death experience), and was taken on a tour of hell by an angel.
It was a painting used for the "moral education" of the time, depicting how he became an incredibly good person after coming back to life due to the sheer terror he experienced.
## 🎭 Intense Episodes of the Artists
## 1. James Ensor: Why did he only paint "masks" and "skeletons"? (Chapter 2)
* His family home was a souvenir shop
The reason Ensor painted so many eerie masks is that his mother ran a souvenir shop in the Belgian tourist town of Ostend, selling "carnival masks, seashells, and antiques."
Growing up surrounded by creepy masks on a daily basis from childhood became the foundation of his mental world (fantasy).
* Heavily criticized during his lifetime, but eventually became a baron
His paintings were heavily criticized at the time as "disgusting" and "in bad taste," and he was even nearly expelled from his art group.
However, his reputation turned around in his later years, and he eventually became a national superstar, even being granted the title of "Baron" by the King of Belgium.
## 2. René Magritte: The surprisingly ordinary private life of a surrealist master (Chapter 3)
* An "ultra-normal" salaryman life unlike an artist
Despite painting such strange pictures, Magritte's private life was surprisingly serious and disciplined.
He did not have a studio, but painted in a corner of his home's dining room every day, wearing a suit and tie, at set times.
There is an urban legend that he was so meticulous that he extremely disliked his room getting dirty with paint and never spilled a single drop on the floor.
* The inspiration for the movie "The Matrix" and "Lupin III"
His motif of a "faceless man in a black bowler hat" influenced the visual design of Agent Smith in the movie "The Matrix."
Also, Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is known to be a fan of Magritte, and his influence can be seen in designs such as the clock tower in "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro."
## 3. Jan Fabre: The gene of fantasy living in the modern age (Chapter 3)
* His great-grandfather is the famous Fabre of "Souvenirs Entomologiques"!
In the contemporary art section, Jan Fabre exhibited "Warrior of Flanders," a sculpture made of armor covered in countless green jewel beetles.
In fact, he is the great-grandson of Jean-Henri Fabre, who is world-famous for his "Souvenirs Entomologiques." It is truly in his blood that he loves using insect carcasses and wings as materials for his art.
• Exhibition basic information, etc.
## Genealogy of the Fantastic by Era
## 1. The 15th-16th Centuries as Roots: Monsters of Flemish Painting
* Hieronymus Bosch: He established the tradition of the fantastic by realistically depicting human desires, sins, and the images of hell awaiting them as bizarre demons and monsters created by combining fish, insects, and everyday objects.
* Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Influenced strongly by Bosch (Bosch Revival), he expressed human folly and satire through his own unique, fantastical worldview.
## 2. Late 19th Century: Escape to the Spiritual World and Symbolism
* James Ensor: He left behind a highly unique body of work that used "masks" and "skeletons" as motifs to satirize human hypocrisy and vanity.
* Fernand Khnopff: He painted dreamlike worlds that depicted the invisible inner world, creating a sense of tranquility that was also somehow unsettling and erotic.
## 3. 20th Century: Surrealism that Shakes Reality
* René Magritte: He created philosophical paintings that overturned the viewer's preconceived notions by distorting the combinations and sizes of ordinary, everyday objects (birds, hats, the sky, etc.).
* Paul Delvaux: He established his own solitary, dreamlike painting world, featuring expressionless nude women and skeletons standing in settings like night train stations and ancient architecture.
## 4. Contemporary: Contemporary Art Inheriting the Genealogy
* Jan Fabre: Through sculptures using jewel beetle wings and other works, he carries on the DNA of Belgian art from the Middle Ages with provocative methods, focusing on themes of life, death, and transformation.
## Why was the "Fantastic" nurtured in Belgium?
Historically, this region has repeatedly been a battlefield for major powers and has followed a harsh fate of changing rulers.
It is believed that such harsh realities and anxieties prevented painters from remaining within the "realism of the visible world" and instead drove them toward an "imaginary world mixed with inner fear, dreams, and humor."
## 🏛️ Exhibition Overview
* Exhibition Title: Genealogy of Belgian Fantastic Art: From Bosch to Magritte and Jan Fabre
* Exhibition Scale: A collection of approximately 120 works tracing the genealogy of "fantastic art" over 500 years, featuring an all-star lineup of 30 Belgian artists.
* Organizers: Bunkamura, Tokyo Shimbun
* Supporters: Embassy of Belgium, Visit Flanders, J-WAVE
## 📅 Basic Information for the Tokyo Exhibition (Bunkamura The Museum)
| Dates | July 15 (Sat) - September 24 (Sun), 2017 *Closed only on July 18 (Tue) and August 22 (Tue) |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30) *Open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (Last admission at 20:30) |
| Venue | Bunkamura The Museum (Next to Tokyu Main Store, Shibuya) 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8507 |
| Access | Approx. 7-minute walk from Hachiko Exit of JR Shibuya Station |
| Inquiries | 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial) |
## 🎫 Ticket Prices (Day-of-event tickets)
* General: 1,500 yen
* University/High School Students: 1,000 yen
* Junior High/Elementary School Students: 700 yen
* *Group discounts for 20 or more people and discounted advance tickets (sold until July 14, 2017) were also available.
## 🚌 Domestic Tour Information
In fact, this exhibition was a large-scale project that toured three art museums in Japan, not just in Tokyo. The overall schedule within Japan was as follows:
1. Utsunomiya Museum of Art: March 19 - May 7, 2017
2. Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art: May 20 - July 9, 2017
3. Bunkamura The Museum: July 15 - September 24, 2017 (Grand Finale)
[From naoto]
I have an image of Bosch being from the Netherlands, but he is actually from Belgium, isn't he?
Even though it's the same Netherlands, the Bruegel family is from the Netherlands, though.
I think there are some people who would be traumatized if they saw Bosch's paintings when they were little.