Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks: Yu-ichi Inoue x Wei Ligang, Amanyangyun
Kami Ya Co., Ltd
Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks | Yu-ichi Inoue x Wei Ligang, Dialogue Exhibition／Amanyangyun (Shanghai) | Installation completed／Public opening never realized
(The opening was repeatedly postponed due to Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdown, and the exhibition ultimately ended without ever opening to the public.)
A “dialogue exhibition” between Yu-ichi Inoue and the contemporary Chinese calligrapher Wei Ligang. Two traditional courtyard buildings within Amanyangyun, a luxury resort in Shanghai, served as the venue. Installation was completed, but due to Shanghai’s large-scale COVID-19 lockdown, the exhibition ended without the public opening ever taking place. It was shown privately only to hotel guests and residents. A catalogue, Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks, was produced to document the exhibition. The World Paper Culture Heritage Support Foundation Kamimori, established by Kami Ya, supported the exhibition.
Exhibition Overview
Status | Installation completed／Public opening never realized (Following repeated postponements due to Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdown, the exhibition ended without ever opening to the public)
Venue | Amanyangyun (Shanghai), two traditional courtyard buildings
Works | Approx. 40 works by Yu-ichi Inoue
Artists | Yu-ichi Inoue, Wei Ligang
Organizers | Yangyun International Community, Kouzan Fine Arts Company
Support | World Paper Culture Heritage Support Foundation Kamimori (established by Kami Ya)
Touring | Part of a series of Yu-ichi Inoue exhibitions in China (same series as the exhibitions at Tsinghua University Art Museum and Shanghai Powerlong Museum)
Significance of the Exhibition
A “Dialogue Exhibition” Between Yu-ichi Inoue and Wei Ligang
While the exhibitions at Tsinghua University Art Museum and Shanghai Powerlong Museum were retrospective in character, this exhibition was a new attempt: a “dialogue exhibition” with the contemporary Chinese calligrapher Wei Ligang. By juxtaposing Inoue’s calligraphy with Wei’s contemporary calligraphic expression, the exhibition was conceived to illuminate Inoue’s art anew through resonance and contrast between the two artists.
Amanyangyun, an Extraordinary Venue
Amanyangyun is a luxury resort in Shanghai featuring traditional Ming and Qing dynasty architecture relocated and restored from Anhui province. Rather than a museum, two historic courtyard buildings (traditional Chinese residences) served as the exhibition venue — an unprecedented setting where the space of ancient architecture intersected with contemporary calligraphy.
An Unusual Course of Events Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Installation of the exhibition had been completed, but the large-scale COVID-19 lockdown that subsequently struck Shanghai led to repeated postponements of the public opening date, and the exhibition ultimately ended without ever opening to the public. It was shown only privately to hotel guests and residents of Amanyangyun. A catalogue, Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks: Yu-ichi Inoue, Wei Ligang, Dialogue Exhibition, was produced to document the exhibition.
Works on View
The exhibition combined approximately 40 works of calligraphy by Yu-ichi Inoue (primarily hanging scrolls and framed works) with contemporary calligraphic works by Wei Ligang. A detailed list of works is compiled in the catalogue Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks.
About the Artists
Yu-ichi Inoue
Yu-ichi Inoue (1916–1985) was a calligrapher born in Tokyo. As a leading figure in Japan’s postwar avant-garde calligraphy movement, he gained international acclaim for his distinctive expression, including his single-character calligraphy (ichiji-sho).
Wei Ligang
Wei Ligang (b. 1964, Shanxi Province, China) is one of China’s leading contemporary calligraphers. Known for his distinctive style that incorporates abstract and pictorial elements while drawing on traditional calligraphy, he is active both in China and internationally.
Catalogue
A catalogue, Above the Valley of Calligraphy, Stand the Twin Peaks: A Dialogue Between Yuichi Inoue and Wei Ligang (Japanese title: 翰墨・双峰 井上有一 魏立刚 対話展), was produced for the exhibition. It includes a preface by curator Hongxiao Wei and is structured in two (or more) parts.
Exhibition Photographs
Photos: Kami Ya (Exhibition photographs are taken from the exhibition pamphlet)