An art exhibit devoted to one of Japan's most influential yet mysterious artists is running until July 22 in Calgary, so there are a few more days to check this out.

Toshusai Sharaku is kind of like the William Shakespeare of Japan, in that people today know a lot about his work, but virtually nothing about the man himself.

In the late 18th century, in a 10-month burst of activity, Sharaku produced his entire body of known works, including a series of portraits of well-known Kabuki actors of the day. According to a Harvard University review, he "single-handedly transformed the visual language of the period with his incisive, psychologically probing depictions."

Many suspect that his career was cut short by critics and enemies, who did not appreciate his realistic approach to the portraits. However, this work is considered the dawn of contemporary art in Japan.

The Calgary exhibit features careful recreations of the original 28 woodblocks of the Kabuki actors. These pieces are augmented by more works by leading contemporary Japanese graphic artists and designers, who "pay homage to Sharaku in posters that underline the formalistic links between the ukiyo-e tradition and the development of the graphic art in Japan, while other artists respond in a personal way to the influence of Sharaku, through the use of painting, sculpture, ceramics and installation work."

Links:
Triangle Gallery in Calgary with art and literature from the show

The artwork of Toshusai Sharaku A guide to online exhibits

A Guide to the Ukiyo-e Sites of the Internet

Who Are You Calling Easy?
Fans of Noel Coward will want to check out the Shaw Festival's performance of Easy Virtue, which wraps up its run this Friday night. The play follows the fortunes of the Whittaker family; a snobby bunch of upper middle class stiffs who are invaded by a woman of you got it -- easy virtue. The woman in question marries one of the Whittaker sons. Not only does she have a questionable past, she's also divorced and 15 years older than her new husband! Naturally this glamourous divorce causes tongues to wag and barbs to fly.

Shaw Festival
1-800-511-SHAW
until July 21
Niagara-on-the-Lake

Fine Tuning
Monday night is dance night on Bravo TV, and instead of hauling out scratchy old film of some 20-year-old performance by the National Ballet of Canada, this week the arts channel is offering something contemporary and kind of kicky. It's a profile of Margie Gillis, one of Canada's most vital dancers and choreographers. This documentary shows some of her work, but also goes behind the scenes to show us her life, and how she uses that in her art. Worth catching, tonight on Bravo at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Margie Gillis Dance Foundation

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