A building’s architectural appeal is not confined to its exterior. To be fully appreciated, the building must be seen as a whole, including the interior spaces. If we examine the interior spaces of the Former Prince Asaka Residence, whose construction was completed in 1933, we can see the influence of Cubism in the linear, geometric, and three-dimensional designs found in the ceilings and chandeliers and allusions to ancient myths in the glass doors of the Front Entrance Hall: a rich variety of styles have been combined in the Art Deco embellishments found throughout. Notice, too, how many different materials are incorporated into these spaces: the ceramic Perfume Tower fountain, the black lacquered pillars, the marble, glass, tile, and wood of different types in each room. More is at stake here than form and decoration alone: these materials that give Art Deco interiors their special character. Every detail conveys the thinking that went into this building’s construction.
In addition to restored or reconstructed furnishings from the period when the Residence was built, this exhibition includes works of art and related materials by artists active in the Art Deco period, from the museum’s collection. The exhibition thus showcases attempts to restore the interiors of the Former Prince Asaka Residence to their original state and the details that give the building its powerful appeal.