Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/319926
B M & T ••• March/April 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 14 Hello, faithful readers. W inter has come and gone, thank God. I guess many of you might not be so thankful. For I understand there are many who usher in and welcome cold weather. Yet, for me it is spring and especially summer, which I welcome. What's going on in the world of museums? The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) exhibition Samurai: Beyond the Sword brings an experience of nuanced culture of these revered warriors through more than 125 artworks that tell their story. The exhibition will be on view through June 1, 2014. Samurai: Beyond the Sword is based on the traveling exhibition Lethal Beauty: Samurai Weapons and Armor, from the collection of the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture. Birgitta Augustin, DIA associate curator and acting department head of Arts of Asia & the Islamic World, along with consultant Masako Watanabe, curated Samurai: Beyond the Sword. The exhibition offers an in- depth look at the samurai — shoguns (supreme military rulers), daimyo (regional lords) and soldiers — who sought bal- ance between military and cultur- al pursuits. It explores artworks which project the image of the samurai not only as fierce warriors but also as patrons of the arts and sophisticated artists and scholars during the relatively peaceful Edo period (1603–1868). Menacing suits of armor and meticulously crafted sword blades are evidence of the samurai's military might, while exquisitely painted scenes of nature and fine- ly crafted tea ceremony objects reveal their aesthetic ideals. Many objects used for battle are embellished with artistic, literary and spiritual symbols, illustrating the integration of samurai values. Among the artworks are helmets, face masks, and paintings of legendary Buddhist and Chinese figures, as well as scenes of epic battles, shimmering Noh theatre costumes and illustrated classical literature on screen and scroll paint- ings. These and other objects reveal the principles of awareness and mindfulness that samurai pursued throughout their lives. Samurai means "one who serves," and, at one point, they were warriors who served Japan's emperor and nobility as swords for hire. Over time, the samurai organized into powerful warrior bands with the manpower and military training to grasp political control for themselves. For several cen- turies, warring samurai factions battled for land and supremacy. The samurai were officially disbanded in 1876 and were no longer permitted to carry swords. The exhibition presents innovative examples of how samurai weapons and fittings were recycled and given new pur- poses, such as a bonsai basin from sword sheaths and a pill box from sword fittings. An array of programs will be offered to enhance the themes in the exhi- bition, including artist demonstrations of a Japanese tea ceremony, floral arranging, martial arts, kiting, bunraku-inspired puppets and performanc- es on traditional Japanese instruments For more information, call (313) 833-7971 or visit www.dia.org/aiaf. The Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, held its Annual Events Open House Gala, March12th, 2014. I had the pleasure of attending. This annual event showcased the Petersen's new event space for the Grand Salon (Town Cars this year) and the 4th Floor rooftop event space. The 4th floor event space featured a "mock wedding" set up with both a ceremony and reception area. The festive food and music filled event featured the model for the "new Petersen," projected to open fall of 2015, which will include redesign- ing & remodeling the entire museum inside and out. This will make for more museum exhibits and more event space. For more information, call (323) 964-6348 or visit www.pertersen.org. SAMURAI: BEYOND THE SWORD AT DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND MORE MUSEUM NEWS BY PATRICIA ANN JORDAN •pg_12-17.qxp__BMT_pg3-58 5/20/14 5:54 PM Page 14