Exhibition on Offer
 

Visual Arts
Performing Arts
Film
Publication
Fellowships
Conferences
Research / Staff
Library Support
research

The Japan Foundation, London Office
Russell Square House
10-12 Russell Square
London WC1B 5EH

Tel: 020-7436-6695
Fax: 020-7323-4888

The Japan Foundation is associated with Japan-UK 150, celebrating 150 years of relations between Japan and the UK.

What's On
1. The Japan Foundation Touring Exhibition:
out of the ordinary/extraordinary: japanese contemporary photography
2. Japanese Music and Composer Series 2009
Makoto Nomura: The sound of the Melodica
new
3. Human Bridge: 150 Years of Anglo-Japanese Friendship and Commerce new
4. Aqua-scape
The Nature-orientated Architecture of Ryumei Fujiki
5. A Yukio Mishima Double Bill: Hanjo & Hell Screen
6. A Net of Eels - Jake Tilson with Kyoichi Tsuzuki new
7. WALKING IN MY MIND Adventure into the artists imagination new
8. Japanimation Season at the Barbican
Tetsujin 28 (30 June), Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (21 July)
new


The Japan Foundation Touring Exhibition:
out of the ordinary/extraordinary: japanese contemporary photography
  org
Takano Ryudai, <i>Long hair nesting on pink cloth</i>, from the series "In My Room", 2002
Takano Ryudai, Long hair nesting on pink cloth, from the series "In My Room", 2002
Following its success and popularity in 2006, The Japan Foundation touring exhibition out of the ordinary/extraordinary will once again visit several venues across the UK during 2009. Featuring 11 Japanese artists, mostly from the younger generation, out of the ordinary extraordinary questions things in the world accepted as obvious and reconstructs their meaning by reassessing the relationship between the artists and the diverse elements of our ever-changing world. The exhibition includes pregnant men posing in a fertility clinic, strangers photographed from outside the windows of their homes and a young woman dressing up in various teenage fashion trends to explore the superficial concept of youth; all providing a fascinating take on society as captured through the lens.

Date: 24 January 2009 - 10 October 2009
Venue: Various nationwide (see below)

24 January to 28 March 2009 - Oldham Gallery, Oldham.

16 April to 23 May 2009 - Millais Gallery, Southampton.

30 June to 26 August 2009 - Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Rugby.

5 September to 17 October 2009 - Oriel Wrecsam, Wrexham.
Back to Top

Japanese Music and Composer Series 2009
Makoto Nomura: The sound of the Melodica
  org
Makoto Nomura
Makoto Nomura
Makoto Nomura is an inspirational figure in the Japanese music scene thanks to his enthusiasm for the Melodica and the music pieces he has created for this distinctive instrument. In this special event, Makoto will give an exclusive talk about his passion for the Melodica, also known as the Keyboard Harmonica, as well as demonstrating its mechanism and the array of sounds it can produce. There will also be a brief Melodica concert of Nomuras original works and pieces by some young Japanese composers, as well as pieces with which you may be familiar with but will hear anew through their performance on the Melodica. This is an opportunity not to be missed, allowing a UK audience to experience a truly endearing and enchanting aspect of contemporary Japanese music.

Date: 8 July 2009 from 6.30pm
Venue: The Japan Foundation London
Russell Square House
10-12 Russell Square
London WC1B 5EH

This event is free to attend but booking is essential. To reserve a place, please email your name and the title of the event you would like to attend to event@jpf.org.uk.

This event is kindly supported by Suzuki Europe Ltd. Suzuki Logo

During June and July, with support from the Japan Foundation, Makoto Nomura will be in the UK to take part in several improvised workshops and performances. For more information on his appearances, please click here.
Back to Top

Human Bridge: 150 Years of Anglo-Japanese Friendship and Commerce   JPsupported
Organised by the Japanese Residents Association UK, the exhibition Human Bridge: 150 Years of Anglo-Japanese Friendship and Commerce reviews the rich, but often over-looked, involvement between Japan and Britain since 1858. Consisting of roughly 50 photographs, many from the 19th Century, the exhibition depicts Britains early contribution to Japans modernisation, and shows how the two countries developed a mutually enriching relationship through commerce and human ties.

Date: 1 June 2009 - 31 August 2009
Venue: University Chapel, University of Glasgow

This event is part of Friendship beyond boundaries, a series of events organised by the University of Glasgow as part of Japan-UK 150. More information on this exhibition and the other events in the series can be found here.
Back to Top

Aqua-scape
The Nature-orientated Architecture of Ryumei Fujiki
  JPsupported
Aqua-scape
Aqua-scape
Designed by Ryumei Fujiki and Inspired by such diverse sources as origami and jellyfish, Aqua-scape, is a remarkable cocoon-like, urban hideout floating upon the green of Beams Orangery gardens. While Aqua-scape is on show in the Orangey, Beam will host an exhibition based on the work of its creators, Ryumei Fujiki and his design practice.

Date: 15 June 2009 - 23 August 2009
Venue: Beam Gallery/The Orangery, Wakefield

For more information, please click here.
Back to Top

A Yukio Mishima Double Bill: Hanjo & Hell Screen   JPsupported
StoneCrabs Theatre presents this double bill of works from one of the greatest exponents of Japanese literature, Yukio Mishima. In Hell Screen, an artist must face his sadistic vision of hell, while Hanjo tells a bittersweet story of unrequited love. The haunting beauty of these modern classics are an unforgettable delight.

Date: 16 June 2009 - 4 July 2009 from 7.45pm
Venue: Oval House Theatre, London

For more information, please click here.
Back to Top

A Net of Eels - Jake Tilson with Kyoichi Tsuzuki   JPsupported
A Net of Eels,  copyright Jake Tilson & Kyoichi Tsuzuki
A Net of Eels, copyright Jake Tilson & Kyoichi Tsuzuki
An exhibition of new work by Japanese photographer/cultural commentator Kyoichi Tsuzuki and British artist/writer/cook Jake Tilson, A Net of Eels is a playful and evocative exploration of the complex cultural and culinary significance of the eel in Japan and the UK. Featuring a selection of photographic images, audio works and found objects drawn from historical contexts and everyday popular culture, the project combines Tsuzukis anthropological observations with Tilsons highly personal and eclectic approach to his subject.

Date: 10 July 2009 - 23 August 2009
Venue: The Wapping Project, London

For more information, please click here.
Back to Top

WALKING IN MY MIND Adventure into the artists imagination  
Dots Obsession<br>Yayoi Kusama, 2004
Dots Obsession
Yayoi Kusama, 2004
The Hayward Gallerys 2009 summer exhibition Walking In My Mind includes three Japanese artists selected to show works that explore how the inner workings of the mind can be represented in three-dimensional space, shedding light on their creativity and inviting visitors to explore their own thought processes. Highlights of this years show include three works by Yayoi Kusama, rarely exhibited in the UK, as she transforms the Gallery into a vision of her signature polka dots. Meanwhile, celebrated Japanese Pop artist Yoshitomo Nara collaborates with design team graf to create wooden hut-like installations incorporating Naras iconic and intruiguing drawings of balloon-headed children. Also, in her first showing in the UK, Chiharu Shiota enmeshes mysterious and frightening objects, creating mindscapes that are full of physical and psychological tension, at once comforting and threatening.

Date: 23 June 2009 - 6 September 2009
Venue: Hayward Gallery, London

For more information, please click here.
Back to Top

Japanimation Season at the Barbican
Tetsujin 28 (30 June), Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (21 July)
 
Tetsujin 28
Tetsujin 28
As part of its ongoing Japanimation season, Barbican Film will screen Mitsuteru Yokoyamas Tetsujin 28 and the remastered version of Mamoru Oshiis classic Ghost in the Shell 2.0. Both of these screenings will follow a special introduction by anime expert, Helen McCarthy.

Date: 30 June 2009 - 21 July 2009 from 8.30pm
Venue: Barbican Centre

For more information, please click here.
Back to Top