”Simplicity. Joy. Permanence.”

Thomas Drake, artist and owner of  Lumamodern, is inspired by the poetic and dramatic beauty of the Chinese symbol for love. 

Love

Drake uses the “Ai,” the traditional Chinese character for love (愛)  which  is based [...]]]> We at Jia Moderne are absolutely in love with Lumamodern’s metal wall art.

 ”Simplicity. Joy. Permanence.”

Thomas Drake, artist and owner of  Lumamodern, is inspired by the poetic and dramatic beauty of the Chinese symbol for love. 

Love

Drake uses the “Ai,” the traditional Chinese character for love (愛)  which  is based around the heart and home, and offering affection and emotion toward others.

Drake is fascinated by the contrast between western language, where words are not constructed based on visual ideas and Chinese calligraphy, an ancient and poetic language evolving from early pictographs and still in use today.

 The symbol of love is an artistic expression and beautiful art form.

Love

“Lumamodern art creates a sense of joy and simplicity through the selection of material, color, and form.  Ancient calligraphy and iconic images are sculpted and powder coated onto metal, creating a sense of permanency and durability.”

The beauty and simplicity of this several thousand year old Chinese character, is part of the genesis of the Lumamodern’s art work.

 The work is designed to be viewed in a contemporary space.  

We suggest a beautiful outdoor living space or an entry way to one’s home.

Seasons

Wishing you love and  ”Simplicity. Joy. Permanence.” shared with a loved one on this Valentine’s Day.

www.jiamoderne.com

www.lumamodern.com

Cherry Blossom Japanese Print

Wow, the weather here in New England is down right balmy and has us thinking about the fact that spring is just a few months away.  A great way to celebrate the spring is to check out the Cherry Blossom Festivals here in the States and abroad.

Cherry Blossom Japanese Print

The cherry blossom (Sakura) is a well-known symbol of Japan and are frequently displayed on traditional Japanese goods and art.

The cherry blossom is very important in Japanese culture as it represents the end of the winter and the being of new life and the coming season of spring.

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

  Japan gave 3,000 sakura as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations’  friendship. These trees have since lined the shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC  and the gift was renewed with another 3,800 trees in 1956.

Cherry Blossom Trees in Washington, DC

This year the National Cherry Blossom Festival is taking place on March 20 through April 27, 2012 in Washington, DC. We are looking forward to going in just a few short months.

For more information about the festival click here!

www.jiamoderne.com

]]> http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2012/02/cherry-blossoms-spring-is-in-the-air/feed/ 0 http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2012/01/happy-chinese-new-year/ http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2012/01/happy-chinese-new-year/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:06:00 +0000 admin http://blog.jiamoderne.com/?p=88 Happy Chinese New Year | The Year of the Water Dragon

According to the Chinese Zodiac the Year of the Dragon, begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.

The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese New Year [...]]]>

Happy Chinese New Year | The Year of the Water Dragon

According to the Chinese Zodiac the Year of the Dragon, begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.

The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines and also in Chinatowns throughout the world.

 Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese New Year vary widely. One of the traditions is that every family thoroughly cleans their home to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes of  making way for incoming good luck.

Chinese New Year Festival | Beijing

The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend.  In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power.

Today, it is the ultimate symbol signifying success and happiness.

 Wishing you a very Happy, Successful and Prosperous New Year!

www.jiamoderne.com

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of our esteemed, world renowned museums with an amazing collection of Asian art and has one of the best collections of Asian art  in the world.

The [...]]]> We are so fortunate to live and work in the culture-rich city of Boston Massachusetts.

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of our esteemed, world renowned museums with an amazing collection of Asian art and has one of the best collections of Asian art  in the world.

The  collection encompasses Japanese, Chinese, and Indian paintings and sculptures; Japanese prints and metalwork; Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese ceramics; and the arts of the Islamic world.

BELOW ARE A FEW ITEMS FROM THEIR COLLECTION:

Chinese Disk

Their collection of Chinese ceramics expands over four thousand years.

Hanging Scroll of the Hell Courtesan

HERE ARE A FEW ITEMS FROM OUR COLLECTION:

Tribal Ceremonial Mask | Circa 1900s |Fom the Northern Thailand

19th Century Temple Bell | Northern Thailand

Our Ancient Asia collection is drawn predominantly from southeast Asian and China estates. Products range from 12th to 19th century sculpture, reliefs, clay pottery, architectural elements, ethnic artifacts and furniture.

Please  come by our showroom at the Boston Design Center  or visit our website at  Jia Moderne  for outstanding Asian ancient art.

We decided to check out the Yin Yu Tang House at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Here is a little history [...]]]> It’s always fun to check out a museum to get out of this chilly winter weather and that’s  just what we did yesterday when we were in Salem, MA.

We decided to check out the Yin Yu Tang House at the Peabody Essex Museum.

Here is a little history of the this amazing house:

On a trip to China in 1996, Nancy Berliner, Curator of Chinese Art and Culture at the Peabody Essex Museum, was visiting the village when she first saw Yin Yu Tang, which was unoccupied at the time. On an ensuing trip to China in the same year, she revisited the house. Coincidentally, family members were present, and on that day they had decided to put the house up for sale. Hence, the beginning of the Peabody Essex Museum’s quest for acquiring the Yin Yu Tang House.

  The Yin Yu Tang House was built in the late eighteenth century for a Chinese merchant who commissioned the construction of a house in the province of, Anhui, China of the Huizhou region. Yin Yu Tang means “Hall of Plentiful Shelter”

The two-story residence was typical of its region, built of timber frame construction, with a tile roof and exterior masonry walls of sandstone and brick.  Eight generations of Huang family descendants had lived there.

In 1997, Yin Yu Tang House (including all of it’s contents) was broken down and transported by ship arriving in Boston in 1998. A team of preservation architects, traditional carpenters, artisans, and scholars from the United States and China worked together to breakdown and then rebuild the house for display. Chinese carpenters and stonemasons skilled in traditional architectural arts helped with the dismantling of Yin Yu Tang in China. After the dismantlement, they came to the United States to instruct the rest of the project team in traditional architectural techniques of the Huizhou region, as well as to assist with on-site repairs.

It took seven years to construct the house and cost 125 million US dollars.

In 2003, Yin Yu Tang House was opened to the public.

Check out the link below to hear Nancy Berliner’s own words about how  the Yin Yu Tang House came to be in America:

Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese House at Peabody Essex Museum

Ancient Asia + Contemporary Living.

Washi is the Japanese word for the traditional papers made from the long inner fibers of plants, wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper. This luxury paper is prized as much for its beauty as its utility. 

Hiro Odaira, an architect and artist trained in Tokyo notes: 

What is Washi?

Washi is the Japanese word for the traditional papers made from the long inner fibers of plants, wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper. This luxury paper is prized as much for its beauty as its utility. 

Hiro Odaira, an architect and artist trained in Tokyo notes: 

“Washi  is the perfect choice for making a one-of-a kind, dramatic, and upscale statement. We are excited about educating home owners and designers about an art form that is  thousands of years old, but brand new to the U.S.. Washi creations are a unique blend of contemporary design and Japanese tradition.” 

Spiral Cloud

Water Spray

Washi  may be used in many applications for interior and exterior designs from wall dividers  and art to screens and window treatments.

For more information, please visit Jia Moderne’s showroom.

Boston Design Center – Suite 329

(617) 946-0888

www.jiamoderne.com

]]> http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2011/12/master-washi-artist-hiro-odaira-exhibits-through-the-new-year/feed/ 0 http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2011/12/welcome-to-jia-modernes-new-blog/ http://blog.jiamoderne.com/2011/12/welcome-to-jia-modernes-new-blog/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:43:58 +0000 admin http://blog.jiamoderne.com/?p=13 The character “Jia” translates to “house” or “home” in Chinese, yet it means so much more than the physical space of a dwelling. It is one’s family, one’s heritage, the collection of experiences and backgrounds that reflect in the choices made within the space. While these choices can consist of the placement of [...]]]> The character “Jia” translates to “house” or “home” in Chinese, yet it means so much more than the physical space of a dwelling. It is one’s family, one’s heritage, the collection of experiences and backgrounds that reflect in the choices made within the space. While these choices can consist of the placement of cherished heirlooms or the presence of revered objects, often they can also be expressed by the absence of things, through how the space itself embodies beauty and quiet.

Jia Moderne was born out of a love of Asia and the devotion to bringing a unique collection of antiques, artifacts, art, and authentic pieces—together with their stories—to New England designers and decorators.

In a collection ranging from one-of-a-kind pieces discovered in remote areas, to the latest trends from up-and-coming artists and artisans in the region, Jia Moderne draws upon years of travel and experience that has surfaced unique sources for the discerning trade professional. With buying trips several times a year, Betsy brings to you a collection that will enhance and endow any modern space—whether domestic or corporate—with its own unique blend that is Ancient Asia + Contemporary Living.