The artistic fusion of words and images is an intrinsic part of the
cultural, social, and spiritual beliefs of Asia. From traditional
calligraphy to contemporary forms of digital and mixed media, the
blending of artwork with written language has the power to transform
words into material culture and invite the viewer to experience rather
than merely read the text. Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from
Asia features a stunning selection of works representing a diverse array
of cultures, eras, and media, including Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions,
Qur'anic manu¬scripts, Chinese calligraphy, graffiti art from
Afghanistan, and contemporary artworks using Japanese calligraphy and
Tibetan or Thai scripts. Through different materials--from paper to
silk, woodblock to projected screen--these works in turn evoke the
ephemeral and the eternal. Edited by MOA curator Dr. Fuyubi Nakamura,
this exquisite book offers a fascinating look at art forms that have
long been undervalued by the Western world and showcases glorious recent
works by artists such as Shamsia Hassani, Phaptawan Suwannakudt, and
Kimura Tsubasa. Contributions by Alain George, April Liu, Adheesh
Sathaye, and Yuehping Yen present brilliant insights into the meaning
and context of these works and their ability to transform writing--a
form of communication that is often looked through rather than looked
at--into something more meaningful.
