The Miracle of M.C. Escher
The Miracle of M.C. Escher is drawing crowds.
Even on weekday afternoons it is packed, which reaffirms just how popular Escher is in Japan. The audience seems to span all ages and genders—a wide range. Having built his fame on trompe-l’œil, he is by now a truly major-league artist.
Official Catalog
The Miracle of M.C. Escher is crowded, and merchandise sales are brisk too, with the shop absolutely packed. The most popular item among them is the “official catalog.” It is a definitive keepsake edition containing every work on display in this exhibition.
The official catalog is priced at “2,700 yen (tax incl.)” per copy. Remarkably, it uses “Codex binding,” a binding this writer loves! A catalog that raises one’s expectations.
What’s more, it comes with a book band. You can choose your favorite from four colors. It’s a rare bit of planning, and a welcome one.
Catalog Overview
“The Miracle of M.C. Escher: 8 Keys to Unlock the Mystery of the Fantastical Printmaker”Official Catalog
Price: 2,700 yen (tax incl.)A definitive keepsake official catalog featuring all 152 works on display. It uses the luxurious “Codex binding (section-sewn binding)” that opens a full 180 degrees and stays open without being held down, and comes with a Miracle book band available in four types.240 pages total. Size: modified A4 (22.4 × 22.4 cm)
Catalog Photos
The official catalog, which this writer also purchased. I’d like to convey its atmosphere with a few photos.
The paper quality doesn’t feel especially high, which is a little disappointing, but the sheer volume of 240 pages means it will take considerable time to both read and view. In that sense, it may well be a good-value catalog.
Escher’s works are mostly prints, and many are small in size. Rather than viewing them at a crowded exhibition, some may prefer to savor the catalog slowly and calmly. Of course, the fine lines and the impact of the actual works are nothing to scoff at, but…
Missing/Misordered Pages ※Updated 2018/07/19
The following announcement was made on the official Twitter on July 17.
[To customers who purchased the official catalog]
Some missing or misordered pages have been found in a portion of the catalogs sold on or after Thursday, July 12.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused to customers who purchased them.Information regarding the exchange of affected products is provided on the official website.
If you have already purchased one, we think it would be wise to check.
Overview
120th Anniversary of His Birth, Collection of The Israel Museum
The Miracle of M.C. Escher: 8 Keys to Unlock the Mystery of the Fantastical Printmaker
The Miracle of M.C. Escher: Prints from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Venue: The Ueno Royal Museum, Main Building 1F & Main Building 2F Gallery
June 6 (Wed) – July 29 (Sun), 2018 *Open every day during the run
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. *Last admission 30 minutes before closing
*Open until 8:00 p.m. every Friday
Same-day tickets (advance ticket, or group discount for 20 or more)
Adults 1,600 (1,400) yen
University/high school students 1,200 (1,000) yen
Junior high/elementary students 600 (500) yen
*All prices include tax.
Organizers: The Israel Museum, The Sankei Shimbun, Fuji Television, The Ueno Royal Museum
Special sponsor: Tokyo Minerva Law Office
Sponsor: Nozaki Insatsu Shigyo
Cooperation: Blue Dragon Art Company, Nippon Express
Organizers: The Israel Museum, The Sankei Shimbun, Fuji Television, The Ueno Royal Museum
