September 27, 2003
The weekend of September 27th-28th, 2003 was a whirlwind of activity at the Spurlock Museum. Almost a full year of development came together in the opening celebrations surrounding the focus gallery exhibit “Luxurious Layers: Kimonos of the Heian Court.”
One of the highlights of the weekend was an American Indian performance, “Little Wolf and the Wolf Pack: Dance and Drum.” Though this may sound unusual for events planned in conjunction with an exhibit of Japanese kimonos, the explanation is a simple and special one. Another of the weekend’s special events was a kimono dressing performance at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts given by Japanese visitors from the Hakubi Kyoto Kimono School. The visitors would be coming to the Museum for a tour, and they requested an American Indian concert as a cultural exchange.
The Museum’s Knight Auditorium was awash in colors from the exquisite kimonos and vibrant regalia worn by the audience members and performers at the afternoon concert. A second American Indian concert was held for the general public that same day.
In addition to the performances, two opening receptions were held. One was for the Japanese visitors and Friends of Japan House. It was Kimiko Gunji, the director of Japan House, who first brought the idea of the Luxurious Layers exhibit to the Museum last fall. The second was held for members of the Museum.
For more information on the exhibit, visit the Luxurious Layers news article.
This program was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council (external link), a state agency.
