Hakone's Lalique Museum is showing Rene Lalique's glass works in an interesting gallery — the famed Orient Express.
The Orient Express was made famous by British author Agatha Christie's 1934 novel "Murder on the Orient Express." Lalique (1860-1945) is a well-known glass designer and craftsman who lived during the time when art nouveau gave way to art deco, and was a leader in both movements. He created more than 150 fine-glass panels in 1928 for a salon car of the Co^te d'Azur Express, which was produced in 1929 and later used as the Orient Express. In 2004, the museum brought this salon car over from Europe and now presents it throughout the year.
Commemorating its fifth anniversary, the museum is running an event titled "Lalique Winter Light Review" in a special exhibition space called Le Train During this event, which runs till March 31, visitors can enjoy subtle lighting reflected through Larique's pieces, which include flower vases, perfume jars and wine glasses. Visitors view the works through windows while seated inside the train car. The pieces are actually outside the car, but only visitors inside can see them. On display are about 30 pieces including the sculpture "Co^te d'Azur" and the flower vase "Bacchantes." Admission costs ¥2,100, which includes dessert with tea or coffee inside the train car.
"Lalique Winter Light Review" will be held inside the special "Le Train" exhibition space at the Lalique Museum in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, until Mar. 31. "Le Train" is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs ¥2,100. It takes about 45 minutes to view the exhibit with a video explanation. Once you arrive at the museum, make an appointment to view the exhibit. Also inside the museum is a permanent exhibition that costs ¥1,500 to view. Admission is ¥1,300 for university, high school students and those over 65; admission is ¥800 for junior high school students and younger. The museum is open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.lalique-museum.com/index.html