Page 200 - Swann Galleries - Modernist Posters - Sale 2314 - May 13, 2013

VARIOUS ARTISTS
252 ● CLASSICAL PERFORMING ARTS
FRIENDSHIP MISSION OF JAPAN. Group
of 10 posters. 1981.
401 /4 x281/2 inches, 1021/4x72 1/2 cm. Toppan
Printing Co., Ltd.
Condition varies, generally A-. Printed on thick paper.
Each hand-signed by the artist. Paper.
In 1981, the Asian Performing Arts Summer
Institute (APASI) at the University of California,
Los Angeles, held a five and a half week “multi-
dimensional program to provide access for the
American public to these enduring Japanese
[performance] arts” (APASI brochure). In addition
to classes lectures and performances, (some of
which were held in New York City and others in
Washington, DC) the program also produced a
series of posters. “The commemorative poster suite
represents the works of twelve of Japan’s leading
graphic artists . . . working in a wide variety of
styles, they are in the forefront of the Japanese
design world and have collectively won every major
international graphics award” (ibid). The original
set was 12 posters. The ten designers featured here
are Ikko Tanaka, Kazumasa Nagai, Kiyoshi Awazu,
Katsumi Asaba, Takenobu Igarashi, Shigeo Fukuda,
Mitsuo Katsui, Tadanori Yokoo, Takahis Kamiyo
and Yusaku Kamekura. [2,000/3,000]