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| Between the Language and Form – Mitsuo Shoji ceramics exhibition, February 2010 |
 Mitsuo Shoji, master Japanese ceramist, is known for his broad range of ceramic works. Although he uses the old technique of zougan, colour inlay, Shoji is constantly experimenting in new aspects of ceramics. This February, witness the remarkable works of this gifted artist, in particular, his renowned ‘ceramic paintings’, dramatic meditative works of art reflecting Zen-like motifs. |
| When: |
1 - 12 February 2010 |
| Where: |
Japan Foundation Gallery, Mon - Fri (and Saturday 6 February), 11am to 4pm |
| Admission: |
Free |
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| Further details online, click here |
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| 13th Japanese Film Festival wraps up another successful year |
 The 2009 13th Japanese Film Festival has been a resounding success. Despite Sydney and Melbourne's crowded cultural calendar, the festival pulled in 10,000 in audience numbers spanning the 14 days the festival was active from 24 November - 8 December.
The festival welcomed several special guests; from Japan, Director Shuichi Okita and Author Jun Nishimura from The Chef of the South Pole and from Australia, Sydney's resident Fashion Designer Tina Kalivas, who co-designed the costumes for the period epic Goemon.
On behalf of the Japanese Film Festival team, we'd like to thank our generous sponsors, volunteers and all our patrons for your ongoing support.
Full details online, http://13th.japanesefilmfestival.net/ |
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| Happy Family Plan – Win a free DVD! |
 Don’t forget to visit the Happy Family Plan website for your chance to win a free DVD set containing the Japanese film Happy Family Plan on Disc 1 and a special language and culture resource kit on Disc 2, including activities based on the film, expert cultural commentary on Japanese society and an interview with the film’s Director. The 2 disc set will be available to buy in early 2010 for $29.95, for your chance to name our cute mascot and be one of the first to own a copy click here. |
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| Facetnate! 2010 – Deadline extended |
In February 2008, the Japan Foundation, Sydney, launched Facetnate!, a support program for new visual artists, with a vision to further cultural exchange through contemporary arts.
We are now accepting proposals for the Facetnate! 2010 program. Australia-based emerging visual artists and/or curators are welcome to apply.
Proposals will be for visual art works - fine art, craft, film, new media, or other visual art – and should clearly demonstrate a strong Japan influence. Successful applicants will be required to coordinate a solo/group exhibition or event as part of a collective project, which will run for the duration of 2010, following a launch in July. The deadline for proposals has been extended to Friday 19 March 2010.
For further details and to obtain an application form, please click here
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| Local Grant Program - Applications now open |
In the current 2009-2010 fiscal year, The Japan Foundation, Sydney office is able to offer a limited number of local grants in support of projects in the field of Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange.
The two available grants are:
Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange Local Grant - Supports projects such as conferences, lectures and presentations conducted by non-profit organisations at an academic level (individuals are not eligible to apply).
Travel Support Grant - Provides funds for researchers to travel to Japan in order to further their Japanese studies-related projects.
The application period is open throughout the 2009-2010 fiscal year, but applications must be received by the Japan Foundation, Sydney office at least 2 months prior to the project start date.
For further details please click here or contact the Japanese Studies & Intellectual Exchange Department on Ph: 02 8239 0055 or email jsgrants@jpf.org.au. |
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| New acquisitions |
| A list of newly acquired titles in December is now available - New item section. |
| Pickups from new acquisitions - December 2009 |
 The art of Japanese architecture / David and Michiko Young
Tokyo : Tuttle Publishing, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8048-3838-2
Call #: 521 YOU
Simplicity, asymmetry, sensitivity to the natural environment, and the use of natural materials are the hallmarks of much of Japanese architecture. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Japanese architecture in its historical and cultural context, beginning with a discussion of prehistoric pit dwellings and concluding with a description of significant modern buildings.
Click image to enlarge. |
| Read more online, click here |
 Kurōdo. 1, Saki no ajiwai / Oze Akira. (Big comics)
Tōkyō : Shōgakukan, 2006.
ISBN: 4-09-180797-6
Call #: 726.1 OZE 1
From the same author as the popular manga series Natsuko no Sake comes the story of Claude, the great-grandson of a Japanese sake brewer who goes to Japan to try and trace his roots and find his great-grandfather’s brewery.
Click image to enlarge.
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| Read more online, click here. |
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| Library Calendar |
Please note special Christmas/New Year opening hours:
The library will be closed from 19 December 2009 until 10 January 2010 for stocktaking.
The library service will resume from 11 January as normal, and the due date of any loans falling within this stocktaking period will be extended to 16 January (Saturday).
Also in December, the limit of loan items will be temporarily extended to 6 items for General/Junior card holders, and 12 items for Paid members. |
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| -Shaded days indicate the library is closed. |
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri (except Wed): 11.00 am - 5.30 pm
Wed: 11.00 am - 6.00 pm
Sat (every third week): 11.00 am - 4.00 pm
Sun: Closed
There is a book returns chute at the library entrance. It is available during the Chifley Plaza building operation hours:
Mon-Fri: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sat : 8.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sun/Public Holidays: Closed |
| Library Website |
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| Niseko Winter Music Festival - January 2010 |
The Australian Chamber Orchestra is launching a new music festival in the Niseko skiing region of Hokkaido, Japan. On 15 -17 January, there will be concerts every evening in concert halls next to the ski fields. The Australian Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director Richard Tognetti will play classical favourites, including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.4 and music by tango master Astor Piazzolla. The ACO will also be performing with traditional Taiko drummers and world-renowned harpist, Taoko Yoshino. |
| Further details online, click here |
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Around Australia is a list of Japan-related events being held around the country. The Japan Foundation, Sydney is not affiliated with these events unless otherwise noted, and is not responsible for these events or the content of linked websites.
For further details on any of these events, please contact the event organisers directly. |
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| Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro – Touring Australia, January 2010 |
 Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro are a six-piece funk band from Saitama, Japan. After building a reputation as one of the finest funk units around today, touring clubs of all sizes in Japan, the Fuji Rock Festival and countless festivals around the world, Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro will embark on a run of dates across Australia including the Sydney Festival and The Basement in January 2010. |
| Further details online (in Japanese and English), click here |
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| Hymn to Beauty: The Art of Utamaro – Art Gallery of NSW |
 The ukiyo-e woodblock print is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable of Japan’s diverse art forms, and Kitagawa Utamaro (1753?-1806) is its quintessential exponent. Already celebrated as a master of the ukiyo-e print during his lifetime in late 18th-century Japan, he was introduced to the West at the turn of the 20th century as a painter of the Green Houses (Yoshiwara pleasure quarters).
Featuring around 80 prints from the renowned collection of the Asian Art Museum, National Museums in Berlin, this exhibition is the first extensive survey of Utamaro’s work in Australia and also includes work by his contemporaries and followers.
Click image to enlarge. |
| When: |
13 February 2010 – 2 May 2010 |
| Where: |
Upper Asian Gallery, Ground Level, Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney |
| Admission: |
Adult $8, Member/Concession $5, Family $20 |
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| Full details online, click here |
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| Tatzu Nishi Exhibition – Art Gallery of NSW |
 Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi is renowned for transforming public spaces such as streetlights and statues into objects within domestic environments. In his Sydney work, Nishi has enclosed the two equestrian statues that stand at the entrance of the Art Gallery of NSW within temporary room-like structures, decorated as a bedroom and living room. Visitors will enter these elevated rooms via ramps leading from the steps of the Gallery.
Entitled War and peace and in between, Nishi’s work is the 19th Kaldor Public Art Project and coincides with an exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW celebrating 40 years since the first Kaldor Public Art Project in 1969, in which Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped the coastline of Little Bay in fabric. Continuing the Kaldor Public Art Projects tradition of presenting cutting-edge contemporary art, Nishi hopes to take the statues out of their familiar setting and encourage visitors to view them from a fresh perspective. |
Exhibition
40 years: Kaldor Public Art Projects and 19th Kaldor Public Art Project - War and peace and in between |
| When: |
2 October 2009 -14 February 2010 |
| Where: |
Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney |
| Admission: |
Free |
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| For information on Tatzu Nishi and the 19th Kaldor Public Art Project please click here. |
| For information on the 40 years: Kaldor Public Art Projects exhibition please click here |
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| Taiko: Feel the Beat |
Visit a festival in Japan and you are bound to hear and feel the rhythmic beating of a taiko drum, whether it is during Obon festivities in the summer or Oshōgatsu New Year celebrations in the dead of winter. Be prepared to marvel at the physical stamina, musical skill and teamwork on display as you feel the primal beat of the drums in your chest and stomach. Wadaiko (Japanese-style drumming) must be one of the few forms of music that is a physical and emotional experience for the audience as well as the performers. |
| Further details online, click here |
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ISSUE 25
JANUARY 2010 |
In this issue:
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| The
Japan Foundation, Sydney |
Shop 23, Level 1
Chifley Plaza
2 Chifley Square
SYDNEY NSW 2000 |
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| Art
& Culture Dept. |
| Phone:
(02) 8239 0055 |
| Fax:
(02) 9222 2168 |
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| Japanese
Studies & Intellectual Exchange
Dept. |
| Phone:
(02) 8239 0055 |
| Fax:
(02) 9222 2168 |
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| Japanese
Language Dept. |
| Phone: (02)
8239 0077 |
| Fax: (02)
9222 2169 |
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| Library |
| Phone:
(02) 8239 0011 |
| Fax:
(02) 9222 2164 |
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