Plate 2010

Editor: This is "Plate," a ceramic and earthenware piece from 2010 by Hasu Yoshitaka, housed right here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Looking at it, I’m immediately drawn to its sort of rustic quality – the rough textures and earthy tones. How would you interpret this work? Curator: For me, the power of this plate lies in its subtle conversation with landscape imagery. Notice how the glaze is not uniformly applied, instead mimicking the earthy colours of soil and vegetation; it's very elemental. The darker streak across the center suggests a river or a geological stratum. In this way, the plate becomes a microcosm of the earth itself. What might it suggest to you? Editor: It makes me think of the wabi-sabi aesthetic – finding beauty in imperfection and simplicity, even in a simple plate. Curator: Exactly! That connects it to a long tradition of appreciating natural processes in art, and perhaps the underlying symbolism hints at impermanence, the cycles of nature, erosion and renewal. This piece allows us to contemplate something profound with something as simple as dinnerware. Editor: So it’s more than just a plate. It’s a symbol? Curator: Precisely. It evokes an emotional and almost meditative experience, grounding us. Thinking about ritual implements across cultures and their construction from the earth underscores how this connects to humanity's oldest visual stories. I wonder, could this serve as a powerful link to understanding the history of civilizations that have risen from, and returned to the soil? Editor: That’s fascinating. I definitely see it in a new light now. It’s amazing how much meaning can be contained in something so unassuming. Curator: Indeed. And considering the plate in terms of universal archetypes reveals cultural memory conveyed in this subtle work of art. It reflects not only on external elements but our place within them.