Hearn’s Open Mind, in other words his tolerance and cooperative mindset, materializes in many of his writings. In particular, Gombo Zhebès and La Cuisine Creole written during his time in New Orleans, and Two Years in the French West Indies written in the Antilles with the same Creole cultural backdrop. Hearn praised the blended culture of the Creoles, and his open-mindedness regarding the contact and fusion of cultures was a new way of thinking that crosses over to modern post-colonialism.
‘The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn in New Orleans’ will display approximately 23 pieces from the 2010 exhibition in Matsue Castle; 2 pieces from The American College of Greece; 3 of his favorite items from the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum in Matsue; 26 of first editions of the books mainly from his time in New Orleans (Rare Book Collection, Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University). Pieces by the artists freely expressing Hearn’s life, philosophy, and open-mindedness as interpreted from his works and letters will be displayed along with the artists’ remarks. The beautifully designed covers of Hearn’s original publications create a harmonious display along with Hearn’s memo pad that he used as a journalist in New Orleans, and his favorite pen and inkwell, sharing with the viewer a sense of Hearn’s journalistic and writer’s spirit.
The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn
‘The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn’ is a project that has been nurtured by Takis Efstathiou (Art Coordinator, Greece) since 1996.
Thanks to his passion and hard work, the world’s first Lafcadio Hearn themed art exhibition was held in The American College of Greece Athens in 2009.
The following year, with 2010 marking the 120th anniversary of Hearn’s arrival in Japan and the 160th anniversary of his birth, the art exhibition called on even more artists and was this time held in the castle and Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum of Matsue city.
The collaboration of the 400 year old historical building and the modern art created a unique atmosphere.
On both occasions, a sculpture of the same name as the exhibition, created by New York artist Noda Masaaki, was erected in Athens and in Matsue. In 2011, as one of its international locations, the exhibit was held in New York.
There the art was displayed along with the addition of a display of beautifully bound original publications of Hearn’s works (property of Efstathiou).
The New Orleans exhibit is being held in 2012 in cooperation with Tulane University. Respect for Hearn’s open mind is continually growing, and the exhibition will be held in Toyama Prefecture (Japan), where is located “Lafcadio Hearn Library”, in 2014.
Rare Book Collection, Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University
One of Cleopatra’snight and Other Fantastic Romances, 1882, New York: Worthington
Stray Leaves from Strange Literature, 1884, Bonston: J. R.O Osgood & Co.
Gombo Zhebes: Little Dictionary of Creole Proverbs, 1885, New York: W. H. Coleman
La Cuisine Creole: A Collection of Culinary Recipes, 1885, New York: W. H. Coleman
La Cuisine Creole: A Collection of Culinary Recipes, 1885, New Orleans: F. F. Hansell & Bro., Ltd (2nd Edition)
Historical sketch Book and Guide to New Orleans, 1885, New York: W.H.Coleman
Some Chinese Ghosts, 1887 Boston: Roberts Bros.
Chita: A Memory of Last Island, 1889, New York: Harpers & Brothers
Youma, 1890, New York: Harpers & Brothers
Two Years in the French West Indies, 1890, New York: Harpers & Brothers
Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan vol. 1 & vol. 2, 1894, Boston & New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
Kokoro, 1896, Boston & New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
Gleanings in Buddha-Fields, 1897, Boston & New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
Exotics and Retrospectives, 1898, Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
In Ghostly Japan, 1899, Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
Shadowings, 1900, Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
A Japanese Miscellany, 1901, Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
Kotto, 1902, New York: Macmillan Co.
Kwaidan, 1904, Boston & New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation, 1904, New York: Macmillan Co.
Japanese Fairy Tales, 1898‒1922, Japan: T. Hasegawa Publisher
The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling, 1902
The Fountain of Youth, 1922
The Goblin Spider, 1899
Chin Chin Kobakama, 1903
The Boy Who Drew Cats, 1898
The Relic of Lafadio Hearn
Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum
Pen & Ink Bottle (replica)
Memo pad used in New Orleans (replica)
Contact Information
1) Bruce Raeburn, Director of Special Collections
tel: 504-865-5688 e-mail: raeburn@tulane.edu
2) Lee Miller, Head, Louisiana Research Collection
tel: 504-314-7833 e-mail: lmiller@tulane.edu
Organizers:
The Planning Committee for The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn in New Orleans City of Matsue
Co-Organizers:
Asian Studies Program & Louisiana Research Collection of Tulane University
In cooperation with
Japan Club of New Orleans Japanese Garden Foundation of New Orleans Japanese Society of New Orleans
Supported by
City of New Orleans Consulate-General of Japan at Nashville
Coordinator:
Shoko Koizumi
Designer:
Kiyoharu Ishikawa
Lecture by Bon Koizumi & Opening Ceremony followed by Reception
October 18, 2012 6:00pm-8:00pm Woldenberg Art Center in Room 205, Tulane University 6:00pm-7:00pm Lecture by Bon Koizumi (Lafcadio Hearn’s Great Grandson) 7:00pm-8:00pm Opening Ceremony and Reception
Lafcadio Hearn. La Cuisine Creole, A Collection of Culinary Recipes. New York: W.H.Coleman. 1885. Rare Book Collection, Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library