Japonisms 2018: Kohei Nawa, Throne, Exhibition, Louvre, Paris: 13 July 2018-18 February 2019

The Japonisms 2018 ‘Throne’ sculpture by Kohei Nawa promises to be a gloriously rich spectacle, with the sculpture’s golden gilding reflecting and magnifying the golden sunlight streaming through the Louvre’s glass pyramid. By admiring this gold-leaf sculpture, you would be celebrating and remembering the 150th anniversary of the start of Japan’s Meji period, as well as the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and France. The Meji period is when Japan started its transformation from isolated feudal civilisation to the modern open-bordered society we know it as today.

Japanese artist, Kohei Nawa (born in 1975), is concerned with digital culture and contemporary spirituality. Through his work Nawa strives to foreshadow the on-coming sci-fi world, where advanced technology replaces authority as the prime political and economic influence. Nawa explored the theme of digital culture with his golden ‘Throne’ by using a cutting-edge 3D modelling system to create the sculpture. However, Nawa remained true to his roots by combining this modern technology with historic Japanese cultural tradition. Nawa did not neglect his concern for contemporary spirituality as the design of the regal chair is inspired by the shapes and origins of festival floats in Eastern religions. This majestic ‘Throne’ does not look out of place in its grand settings of the Louvre as Nawa ensured the sculpture would echo the gallery’s collections by covering it in a gold-leaf gilding that is reminiscent of Ancient Egypt.

Musee de Louvre

Musée du Louvre, 75058 Paris - France