Garden with Teahouse (Chashitsu no aru niwa) Possibly 1960

Editor: So, this is Okiie Hashimoto's "Garden with Teahouse," a vibrant woodblock print. The materiality really strikes me – the bold colors and graphic shapes. What can you tell me about the process of making this? Curator: Woodblock printing allows for mass production, lowering the barrier to art consumption. Think about the labor involved – carving, inking, and printing each color separately. How does that influence your understanding of the image itself? Editor: It makes me consider the accessibility of art for the masses, moving away from unique, elite objects. It’s a different way to engage with art. Curator: Precisely. The process is integral to its meaning. It challenges our traditional notions of fine art versus craft, and how we value artistic skill.