An exhibition inspired by the ancient Japanese technique of woodworking will be presented at the Parthenon

The Parthenon and Centennial Park Conservancy have announced David Gootnick: Contemporary Kumiko, an exhibition of works inspired by kumiko, an ancient Japanese woodworking technique. The exhibition will be on view in the Parthenon’s East Gallery from July 26 to December 1. A free opening reception will be held on July 25 at the Parthenon from 6 to 8 p.m.

Kumiko was developed about 1,400 years ago, when Buddhist-influenced architecture was imported from mainland Asia to Japan. Traditionally, kumiko was most commonly used on ornamental shoji screens and decorative elements in traditional Japanese homes.
Kumiko works are made by arranging many narrow pieces of wood to form intricate geometric patterns and designs. The tiny pieces are often assembled with clamps and held in place through the use of angles, grooves, and tension. Traditional kumiko is made from Japanese cedar and cypress, and Gootnick primarily uses Alaskan yellow cedar, which he says is one of the closest analogues to traditional woods in North America. The design motifs are often linked to nature and have symbolic meaning, inspired by science. Gootnick has built on this tradition with three new works: RNA, Mitochondria, and DNA.

“David Gootnick’s work is a harmonious blend of the ancient and the contemporary,” said Jennifer Richardson, Parthenon Curator. “Although this art form developed without any direct connection to ancient Greek art, it shares many common ideals such as attention to detail, the pursuit of perfection, and symmetrical balance. His latest work, Meandros, uses a motif that we often recognize as the Greek key or meander, but has been used since prehistoric times. We are delighted to welcome this exhibition to the Parthenon, where visitors will be able to explore the similarities between these art forms, which originate from very different cultures but reflect a common aesthetic sense and passion for precision.”

While pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Harvard University in the mid-1970s, Gootnick completed a life-changing apprenticeship with Donald Warnock, assisting the master luthier in restoring a Baroque-era instrument for the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., and helping to teach instrument making at Boston University. This experience sparked Gootnick’s passion for woodworking, and he went on to pursue additional apprenticeships with master luthiers Bernie Lehman and Curtis Bryant.

Gootnick began studying kumiko in 2015, falling in love with the intricate patterns and emphasis on geometry and symmetry. He pursues his art in a serene studio he built himself at home in Washington, D.C.

A free opening reception will be held on July 25 at the Parthenon from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can RSVP via the website. For more information about the exhibit, please visit www.nashvilleparthenon.com/events/david-gootnick.

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