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Attraction >Museum
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Description and Basic Information ::
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 The Honolulu Academy of Arts has been serving the interests of the people of Honolulu since it opened in 1927. The only general fine arts museum in Hawaii, the Academy itself is designed as an elegant amalgamation of the various cultures that have made Hawaii their home. Japanese gardens surrounded by European-inspired cloisters, topped by the gentle sloping of a Chinese tiled roof, are all physical representations of the Academy’s goal of bringing East and West together. It may appear rather small from the outside, but the building’s modest size belies its impressive collection of world art.
Perhaps most impressive is the Academy’s collection of Asian art, consisting of over 16,000 objects by artists and craftspeople from China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and India. The heart of the collection is comprised of the Chinese and Japanese holdings, which include paintings, sculpture, ceramics, lacquer ware and prints. Take your time to stroll through the connected galleries, recently renovated and expanded. There is a pleasing feel of casualness to the museum, where doors open up on to courtyards bringing the occasional mountain breeze flowing through the bright halls.
The collection’s Chinese landscape paintings, Buddhist iconography from throughout Asia, ceramics and ancient bronzes are sure to impress. For those of less delicate sensibilities, a full suit of 14th century Japanese samurai armor will provide food for the imagination. James Michener donated his large collection of Japanese prints to the museum, now housed in their own section. The museum also has a modest but impressive collection of works from the rest of the world, including the Pacific and Europe (but see the Bishop Museum for a more Hawaii-focused collection). |
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