Aida Mitsuo Calligraphy Exhibit Physical Overview
The pieces and placement of items within the Aida Mitsuo Calligraphy Exhibit were chosen with great purpose, in an attempt to pay homage to the culture that inspired the exhibit.
An introductory text panel stood at the entrace of the exhibit. This panel introduced visitors to W&L Japanese Program's year long theme and to the work of poet/calligrapher Aida Mitsuo.
A banner hung atop the exhibit entrance. This banner provided a name for the exhibit and its placement replicated the location of the name placard found in W&L's Japanese Tearoom (Senshin'an).
The exhibit showcased student calligraphic works written in Japanese with correlating English translations. These calligraphic pieces were mounted on the exhibit walls with translucent wire in an attempt to evoke a feeling of movement and ephemerality--significant aesthetic principles in Japanese culture.
A scroll hung at the heart of the exhibit and housed a shikishi (a standard size signboard), which displayed a famous Aida Mitsuo phrase: "On rainy days, be in the rain / on windy days, be in the wind."
Calligraphic artifacts from W&L's Special Collections & Archives and the private collection of Professor Janet Ikeda were placed under the scroll.