Robert Venturi, architect, loved the complexity and contradiction of the porcelain Imari bowl from Japan, made in the 18th or 19th century which he and his wife Denise Scott Brown chose from one of the Museum storerooms. June 9, 1999 "In this particular bowl we have something that is very typical of Japanese art. We see the contrasting elements of design patterns and shape coming together. That makes for a very rich kind of art that is teeming with tension. This element of chaos is appealing and especially appropriate for our time when many kinds of cultures come together. It is absolutely inspiringly beautiful. It teaches us a lot about what art could be and perhaps what it should be in our time. It has a very joyful quality -- one where there's skill involved and wit in the making of it." next pair of eyes >