The Art of Japan is displaying products by Japanese and Japan-based artists and designers. Recently, the vanguard of fashion and product designers have been looking to the East for inspiration, incorporating decidedly Japanese features into their collections. The Art of Japan brings together examples of “Japanese Modernism” from several designers whose work successfully fuses East and West, form and function, to reflect both their Asian roots and an awareness of current trends both here and abroad.

Photo by Francis Latif

Among the fashion and accessories available are a jewelry line by New York designer Evelyn Teploff-Mugii’s brand, Evélyn Claude, an amazingly feather-light line made of a tear-proof, moisture-resistant, eco-friendly technical material from Japan called YUPO. Pieces are embellished with the 1000-year-old traditional technique of maki-e, a process in which gold powder is dusted onto lacquered designs and are repeatedly polished before they are cut into forms with edgy styling. From pins to bangles, earrings to pendants, these pieces capture both the eye and the imagination, while their near-weightlessness makes them a joy to wear. Prices starting at about $30 for pins and earrings and up to $200 for bangles and necklaces.

Also on view is a contemporary line of handbags, shoulder bags, and pouches presented by the Art of Japan and made from the creative stitching of tatami ribbon. Traditionally used to bind the edges of the woven mats used as flooring in Japanese homes, the designers have found an innovative method to weave the colorful strips into patterns and waves resulting in highly original accessories. Prices range from about $60 to $400.

Lifestyle products include the KOMA line of lacquer pieces by the artisans of Yamanaka; brightly colored cups, plates, bowls, goblets, boxes, and chopsticks that fuse traditional methods with modern sensibilities. Inspired by children’s spinning tops, the products brighten up any table while also providing a window into Japan’s past. Prices start at about $55 for smaller items, up to $700 for the large, multi-layer delicacy boxes.

Also from Evélyn Claude comes a luxurious line of stationery inspired by the ancient Japanese ritual of “the Art of Giving”, still widely practiced today. The art cards are produced using the same painstaking maki-e methods, now applied to high-quality papers. The blending of traditional Japanese motifs with sophisticated modern graphics results in a final product both elegant and visually dazzling. Prices range between from about $7-$30.

Finally, The Art of Japan presents iPhone cases embodying classical Japan. Starting with hard, shiny, lacquer-inspired backgrounds, the designers then use an appliqué method to incorporate images of carp, waves, flowers, and dragons, as well as judiciously applied Swarovski crystals. The final effect is evocative of the Far East, while at the same time effectively protecting the phone. Prices are about $65-$100. ‘)}