Butterflies and Brocade was the third and last lecture from our Masterpiece Theatre lecture series. Helen Moss, who is quite an entertaining and engaging speaker, kept the audience focused on the stories about Geisha and Maiko. The detailed explanation was accompanied by beautiful picture slides and small garments which made the lecture full of intricate facts that amazed the viewer. Every small detail in the costumes of Geisha and Maiko from color, choice of flowers, hair pins and makeup signify something important about the individual. Seniority, holidays and seasons strictly affect the clothing, makeup and hair selection. The lecture was followed by a Question and Answer session and Helen Moss gladly gave our guests comprehensive answers on the ancient tradition.

On the evening of Thursday, April 12th, the Ana Tzarev Gallery partnered with the Consulate General of Turkey and the World Council of the People for the United Nations to present the continuation of the exhibit, “A Children’s Dialogue in the Language of Flowers”. The show was hosted by the Consulate General of Turkey, and held in honor of National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, which is celebrated on April 23rd. The eager children who participated in Ana Tzarev gallery’s workshop for “A Children’s Dialogue in the Language of Flowers” were invited to attend the event with their families. The children, dressed in their finest, admired the works of their fellow peers that hung alongside Ana Tzarev’s vibrant floral paintings. The exhibit will be on view through the 24th of April at the Consulate General of Turkey.

Japanese Classical Dance and its Props. Japanese classical dance calls for many different props. In the art of dancing there are so many components that performers are using to express themselves. From the very familiar to us such as the fan to different styles like the umbrellas with colorful designs and bells and flowers on sticks and towels. Learning to use these dance tools is crucial to the traditional dance. Without them the translation of the meaning of the dance will be quite difficult. Ms. Moss and her team from IchiFuji-kai Dance Association carefully explained and demonstrated the importance of this dance language. Afterwards there was a Question and Answer session to clarify the usage of these objects.

About the Speaker:

Helen Moss (Fujima Nishiki-no)

Ms. Moss has been involved with Japanese classical dance (nihon buyo) for twenty-five years. Under the great dancer and teacher, Fujima Nishiki at IchiFuji-kai, she received natori (performing name) in 1998 and shihan (teacher) in 2003 and is one of very few non-Japanese licensed to teach in the elegant Soke Fujima style. In addition to teaching dance classes in Manhattan, Long Island City, and Philadelphia, as "spokesdancer" and independent scholar, she gives lectures, leads workshops on subjects related to Japanese performing arts, and has also performed concert narration, including at Kennedy Center. Ms. Moss teaches Japanese movement, and coordinates costumes for the Harmonia Opera Company in New York City. She is a member of the Association for Asian Performance (AAP), the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) and is the founding Secretary of IchiFuji-kai Dance Association.

Japanese classical dance teacher and lecturer, Helen E. Moss (Fujima Nishiki-no) gave our guests a fascinating story about a young, charismatic woman, Izumo no Okuni, who founded Kabuki, a classical Japanese dance-drama. Okuni was ahead of her time as she gathered together surrounding influences to create a lasting art form that continues to inspire us today. Afterwards, there was a Question & Answer session which gave our curious audience the opportunity to ask specific questions about Kabuki which Ms. Moss was happy to answer.

About the Speaker:

Helen Moss (Fujima Nishiki-no)

Ms. Moss has been involved with Japanese classical dance (nihon buyo) for twenty-five years. Under the great dancer and teacher, Fujima Nishiki at IchiFuji-kai, she received natori (performing name) in 1998 and shihan (teacher) in 2003 and is one of very few non-Japanese licensed to teach in the elegant Soke Fujima style. In addition to teaching dance classes in Manhattan, Long Island City, and Philadelphia, as "spokesdancer" and independent scholar, she gives lectures, leads workshops on subjects related to Japanese performing arts, and has also performed concert narration, including at Kennedy Center. Ms. Moss teaches Japanese movement, and coordinates costumes for the Harmonia Opera Company in New York City. She is a member of the Association for Asian Performance (AAP), the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) and is the founding Secretary of IchiFuji-kai Dance Association.

Masterpiece Theatre: Legends of the Japanese Kabuki Stage features paintings influenced by Ana Tzarev's longstanding interest in Japanese history, culture and the arts. In her Kabuki paintings Tzarev represents the emotional state of the theatre's characters. To create these powerful figures the artist combines her signature use of vivid color and thick texture, demonstrating her precise and theatrical brushstrokes. To enhance the visitor's experience, traditional Kabuki costumes are displayed alongside Tzarev's works. As a result of the unusual museum concept of combination of paintings and costumes, there was a tremendous interest and over 600 guests attended the opening reception.

Over 500 guests attended the Opening Reception of From Ana Tzarev, With Love: A Children's Dialogue in the Language of Flowers. In response to the drawings created by the children of Istanbul, Ana Tzarev hosted a corresponding workshop in New York City. Echoing the workshop in Istanbul, the gallery welcomed young children from various schools in New York City including the Ataturk School, Vanderbilt YMCA of Greater New York and Japanese Childrens Society in New York. These children were taken on a tour of Tzarevs flowers, and reflected on their meaning of love, kindness, peace, and friendship. After the tour, the children reciprocated their expressions of friendship by creating their own drawings for their Turkish friends in Istanbul. These drawings, alongside the original drawings from Istanbul, are shown in parallel with an intimate selection of Ana Tzarevs floral paintings. There are a total of 40 drawings in the exhibition. By displaying all types of flowers, the gallery, partnering with the Consulate General of Turkey in New York and the World Council of Peoples for the United Nations, has created a unique and very special exhibition.