1. Stitched Up! From Sashiko to Manga The World of Sashiko, 30 June 2009 new 2. Stitched Up! From Sashiko to Manga Manga Cross-Stitch, 1 July 2009 new 3. The Japan Foundation Touring Exhibition: out of the ordinary/extraordinary: japanese contemporary photography 4. Japanese Music and Composer Series 2009 Makoto Nomura: The sound of the Melodica new 5. Human Bridge: 150 Years of Anglo-Japanese Friendship and Commerce new 6. POI: Moving, Mapping, Memory 7. Aqua-scape The Nature-orientated Architecture of Ryumei Fujiki 8. A Yukio Mishima Double Bill: Hanjo & Hell Screen 9. Corinthian Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Arisa Fujita new
Stitched Up! From Sashiko to Manga The World of Sashiko, 30 June 2009 org To celebrate the first major museum exhibition of Sashiko textiles in the UK and the launch of the innovative book Manga Cross-Stitch, the Japan Foundation presents two very special events looking at textiles and needlework.
The World of Sashiko Lecture by Michele Walker 30 June 2009, from 6.30pm
DONZA sashiko detail, Fukuoka City Museum DONZA sashiko detail, Fukuoka City Museum Sashiko is a traditional sewing technique of Japan, similar to quilting, and characterised by geometric patterns of white stitching on indigo coloured cloth. In this illustrative lecture, Textile Artist and Researcher, Michele Walker, will explore the significance and uniqueness of Sashiko textiles in a cultural and historical context, looking at the technical aspects of how they are produced, as well as their social bearing. At a critical time, when the last generation of traditional Japanese Sashiko makers and their skills are being lost, this is a very timely opportunity to find out more about this traditional craft, now classed as Mingei, and its very special place in Japanese heritage. This event is free to attend.
Venue: The Japan Foundation, London Russell Square House 10-12 Russell Square London WC1B 5EH
This event is free to attend but places are limited. If you would like to attend, please email event@jpf.org.uk, giving your name and the title of the event you would like to attend.
The exhibition Japanese Sashiko Textiles will be on show at York Art Gallery from 10 October 2009 to 3 January 2010 and will tour nationally during 2010.
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Stitched Up! From Sashiko to Manga Manga Cross-Stitch, 1 July 2009 org To celebrate the first major museum exhibition of Sashiko textiles in the UK and the launch of the innovative book Manga Cross-Stitch, the Japan Foundation presents two very special events looking at textiles and needlework.
Manga Cross-Stitch Lecture and Workshop by Helen McCarthy 1 July 2009, 2.30pm and 6.30pm
This event is free to attend but there is a £3 fee to cover the cost of workshop materials, payment is by cash on the day.
Venue: The Japan Foundation, London Russell Square House 10-12 Russell Square London WC1B 5EH
Thjis event is free to attend but places are limited. If you would like to attend, please email event@jpf.org.uk, giving your name and the title of the event you would like to attend. For this event, please also indicate whether you would like to attend the afternoon or evening session.
Special thanks to DMC and Cara Ackerman for their support of the Manga Cross-Stitch workshops. Back to Top
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 Nomura’s 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 Britain’s early contribution to Japan’s 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
POI: Moving, Mapping, Memory JPsupported Yukari Yoshikawa, Colour and Colours, 2008 Yukari Yoshikawa, Colour and Colours, 2008 As part of Cornershouse’s new initiative Edition, POI: Moving, Mapping, Memory explores the exchanging of points in time, or places in space, giving us the chance to review the world around us through innovative media art works. The exhibition features eight artists, all in various ways exploring the mapping of time and memory. Artists include,Yukari Yoshikawa, presenting an immersive panoramic environment, inspired by The Wheel of Manchester, offering visitors a differing experience of reality, where mood and emotions are affected visually through colour enhancement, layered imagery and audio.
Date: 5 June 2009 - 28 June 2009 Venue: Cornerhouse, Manchester
For more information, please click 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 Beam’s 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
Corinthian Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Arisa Fujita Arisa Fujita Arisa Fujita Corinthian Chamber Orchestra will be joined by acclaimed Japanese violinist Arisa Fujita for their June Concert which comprises Milhaud's jazzy masterpiece Le boeuf sur le toit, Mozart's exquisite 3rd Violin concerto and Dvorak's powerful and Brahmsian seventh symphony.
Date: 20 June 2009 from 6.30pm Venue: St James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly, London