The Silence of Calligraphy Echoes - Solo Exhibition by Hideho Seto and Funaho Seto in Paris

Paris solo exhibition A solo exhibition by calligraphers Hideho Seto and Funaho Seto was held in November 2022 at the Étienne du Causin Gallery located in the Paris Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. In a space where tradition and modernity, East and West intersect, the spirituality and aesthetic sense of Japanese calligraphy quietly spread, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of the visitors.
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Period: 2022/11/3 (Thu) -9 (Wed)
Venue: Galerie Etienne de Causans (25, rue DeSeine, 75006 Paris, France)

Intersection of art and culture -- Étienne de Causanne Gallery

In the heart of Paris, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. The Étienne de Causanne Gallery stands quietly in this area where refinement blends into the cobblestone cityscape.
Located in a corner of a historic building along the Seine, the gallery is close to the Louvre and Beaux-Arts (art schools), and is a natural gathering place for artists and intellectuals visiting Paris. Curations connecting tradition and modernity, East and West are highly regarded, and are attracting attention from art fans, collectors, and cultural media around the world.

The owner, Étienne de Causin, has a deep knowledge of Japanese culture and has contributed to art exchange between Japan and France through numerous international exhibitions. This space where knowledge and beauty meet is favored by many academic visitors, and continues to fascinate people as a starting point for new art.

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A sense of beauty with a clean scent

A solo exhibition by Hideho Seto and Funaho Seto was held in Paris in November 2022 at the Étienne de Causanne Gallery.
At this place, which can be said to be the intersection of culture and art, it was a valuable opportunity for many visitors to experience the world of traditional Japanese art and calligraphy.

The center of this exhibition was a group of works by the late Seto Hideho, the father and mentor of Seto Funaho. Numerous works, including 2 joint productions, were exhibited, and the deep sense of beauty of Mr. Hideho, who has been active on the world stage for many years, filled the space.

This is what Funaho Seto says.
“Calligraphy works are finally completed after being displayed, after going through multiple processes of signing and front cover. The skills and thoughts of many craftsmen are put into it.”

As the saying goes, each work was filled with careful handwork and spirituality, which quietly and deeply fascinated the visitors.

Visitors' Voices

Visitors from all walks of life who visited the exhibition expressed many moving voices about the work.

Thibault Josette (Editorial Director of the art paper “Univers des Arts”)
“Mr. Seto's works have a unique beauty and softness that is different from other calligraphy works. I was particularly impressed by the mysterious work “Buddha,” which is both energetic and calm, “Sound,” which has a very powerful single letter, and “Sea of Clouds,” which stands out for its beauty. The axle is also wonderful, and it conveys a detailed sensibility.”

Mr. Zukuro Bridget (former curator of the Louvre Museum) “They were all very beautiful works. I wanted to talk directly with the artist himself about the meaning and background of the words.”

Visitors who were watching the work “A Person's Life with the Letter ○” felt the flow of reincarnation and life from the motif “zero.” Does the line from top to bottom represent the path from birth to old age? Energy from a young age, stability during maturity, and harmony that comes with old age. It also looks like people are being taken away from the line that is getting thinner. There was a sense of serenity in the white space inside, as if integrated into everything.”

Visitors who asked the staff about the meaning of “Buddha” said, “Every work made me want to understand the meaning of words more deeply.”

Comments from art historians/art critics

This exhibition has also received high praise from art historian and art critic Eric Monsanjon.

“The works of Mr. Funaho Seto and his father (Mr. Hideho Seto) are constructed with “symbolism” and “creation,” and their beauty created by delicate nuances and accuracy is impressive. It is so elegant and full of endless charm. It was a wonderful parent-child co-star.”

Through solo exhibitions, many people once again realized that calligraphy is not just a written expression, but a reflection of time, spirit, and life itself. It was a moment in the center of Paris where the spiritual culture of Japan was certainly alive.

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