Fruitful Autumn 

Editor: We’re looking at “Fruitful Autumn” by Funasaka Yoshisuke, a print in the abstract-expressionist style. It has a really cheerful, almost playful feel to it, with those bright colors and geometric shapes against the yellow backdrop. What do you see in this piece, looking beyond just the surface? Curator: It's interesting you picked up on the cheerful aspect. I see this work as a powerful commentary on cultural identity and the reinterpretation of traditional artistic values through the lens of post-war Japan. The "fruitful autumn" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the potential for growth and prosperity, yet also hinting at the shadows of its past. Editor: The shadows of its past? How so? Curator: The bold colours and geometric forms feel like a deliberate break from the more traditional art forms, and echo with the influx of western cultural values post WWII. And what is being suggested with this "autumn," often seen as a time of harvesting and of death? Could this signify shedding the traditions of the past, in order to plant for future generations? And yet, abstraction becomes a space of coded discourse for the artist to make visual his own complex identity negotiations. Do you feel like you can interpret aspects of traditional art motifs in it? Editor: I can see how you get that, but I feel I am more attracted to its playful, colorful attitude. It still brings hope and strength to look forward to a positive future. Curator: Precisely, that push and pull is at the heart of so many conversations regarding cultural shift, no? It makes one question what can be lost in the wake of change, but at the same time to become empowered. It's that interplay that gives the work its strength. Editor: I see it now; I was so caught up in the colours that I didn't initially consider the cultural context. Thanks for pointing out the hidden depth within it. Curator: It's all about perspective, isn't it? The beauty of art is in these layered interpretations.