MIDTOWN — An “anti-zen” garden brimming with blood-red sand and volcanic rocks shaped like human skulls is just one of the eerie installations featured in Japan Society’s latest exhibit.
Garden of Unearthly Delights, opening on Friday, features the works of a group of Japanese artists who depict imaginative scenes using materials like rocks, sand, ink and computer generated images.
Hisashi Tenmyouya’s anti-zen garden, which fills an entire room in the second-floor gallery, allows guests to gaze across a pool of red sand, where black volcanic rocks dot the surface like islands, said Miwako Tezuka, gallery director at the Japan Society.
The walls surrounding the "dry" garden depict scenes of samurais locked in combat, said Tezuka.
“As opposed to gardens with flowers, trees and water, a dry garden has no living elements in it,” Tezuka said. “It’s a reflection or a cosmic view of the current situation of the world, where conflict and warfare are still happening.”
Another installation in the 13-week exhibit is by a group started by five computer-trained artists from Tokyo called teamLab, who created a room filled from floor to ceiling with projections of computer-generated flowers.
When guests walk in and touch the flowers, the petals and leaves will appear to fall apart and rain down on the viewer, said Tezuka.
“Hundreds of flowers are blossoming and withering,” she said. “As the viewer you become a participant in the cycle of life.
“It’s not a big space, but when you’re in there, you almost feel this sense of levitating.”
The exhibit will also feature Manabu Ikeda’s intricate ink drawings, depicting fantastical landscapes inspired by the style of famed animator and director Hayao Miyazaki.
“All of these artists are very much obsessed with details,” said Tezuka. “Japanese contemporary art is all about a respect for materials and perfection in their technique.”
Garden of Unearthly Delights, located on second floor of 333 E. 47th St., will run from Oct. 10 through Jan. 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Cost of admission is $12 for adults, $10 for members and free for children under age 6. Admission is free on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.
