The Aesthetics of Emptiness

Overview & Synopsis

This volume follows the International Festival Japan Contemporary Arts in Venice The Aesthetics of Emptiness, organised between 21 and 24 February 2022 by Benedetto Marcello Music Conservatory in Venice, the Department of Asian and North African Studies of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Venice Academy of Fine Arts (institutions united in the Study in Venice project), with the generous support of the Japan Foundation. During the Festival, musical performances, concerts, workshops, meetings with Japanese artists, and conferences led participants to immerse themselves in Japanese arts and culture. The structure of the volume is designed to allow the reader to relive these experiences, also through multimedia content, and to explore some of the themes that emerged. The first section is dedicated to the events curated by Benedetto Marcello Music Conservatory and Venice Academy of Fine Arts, while the second brings together some of the contributions presented during the conference organised by the Department of Asian and North African Studies. The various essays revolve around the themes of sound, silence, emptiness, fullness, presence, and absence, and are dedicated to the memory of Bonaventura Ruperti.