Critic's Choice

Mini-reviews of current exhibits by Advertiser art critic Virginia Wageman

"Taisho Chic: Japanese Modernity, Nostalgia, and Deco" (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through March 17; 532-8700): This spectacular exhibition brings to light works created in Japan in the first quarter of the 20th century that were influenced by Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Included are paintings, prints, textiles and home furnishings, most drawn from the academy's outstanding collection. Curators were Julia White, the academy's curator of Asian art, and Kendall H. Brown of California State University-Long Beach.

"Escape from the Vault: The Contemporary Museum's Collection Breaks Out" (Contemporary Museum, through March 24; 526-1322): With limited exhibition space, rarely does the Contemporary Museum have the opportunity to display its own superb collection. Periodically, works "escape from the vault" in shows such as this one, with selections from the permanent collection occupying the entire building. Works by 70 artists are on view, many seen for the first time here.

"Pen, Pencil, and Brush: American Drawings and Watercolors, 1850-1950" (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through March 17; 532-8700): Likewise, works on paper are rarely exhibited, owing to their fragile nature. The academy is showing a choice selection of drawings and watercolors, with exquisite examples by Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer and John Marin, among others.