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Tokyo Geidai Sydney Tour - August 2006
Tuesday, August 29th, 2006
Professor Hirotoshi Sakaguchi and alumni and current members of his Postgraduate Research Group from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (aka Tokyo Geidai)visited us in Sydney.We hosted an array of exchange activities with Sydney artists and curators to give them an insight to life in Sydney and the Australian Contemporary Art Scene.Highlights are below.
VISIT TO VISUAL ARTIST, JANET LAURENCE’S STUDIO
Janet regularly exhibitsinJapan and most recently created apermanent installation “Elixir” for the 2003Echigo-Tsumari Triennale - the same year Professor Sakaguchi also created his installation “Open Space of the Earth” for same. What a small world - it was great to see them reminisce.
Janet’s studio is truly amazing.
THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, SYDNEY
The MCA was a great place to introduce our guests to Australian contemporary art. MCA Curator, Russell Storer introduced us to the artists and works of their New Acquisitions collection, including work by Match Box Project Participants, Janet Laurence and Ruark Lewis.
Russell Storer introducing us to the MCA’s New Acquisitions in front of Janet Laurence’s Installation
Charles Merewether, Artistic Director and Curator of Biennale of Sydney 2006, - Australia’s largest international art event, introduced us to Zones of Contact.
With Charles Merewetherfollowing his introduction to Zones of Contact,in front of Terra Negata (2005) by Imants Tillers
2006 Biennale of Sydney participant, Ruark Lewis performed two scores in relation to his installationat the Biennale, Shipping Tales relating to Australian immigration and commerce and A Mis-Reading of Australian History, relating to Australia’s historical records of discovery by the 19thC.English explorer Ernest Giles.
With Ruark Lewis after his performance.
ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (AGNSW)
Anthony Bond, General Manager Curatorial Services, AGNSW welcomed us all to the AGNSW and kindly introduced us to the Gallery, including the work of Kei Takemura, an Alumni of Sakaguchi’s Research group who was exhibiting in the Biennale of Sydney and is also a Match Box Project Participant! . .
Anthony Bond and Naomi introducing Kei’s work
SCULPTURE WALK AND STROLL THROUGH BOTANICAL GARDENS TO OPERA HOUSE
A peek at Janet Laurence’s Public Installation, Veil of Trees and a stroll through the Botanical Gardens was next.
A stroll through the Gardens.
Zoe, Isao and Takafumi enjoying their Sydney exchange experience.
Harry’s CAFE de WHEELS, Woolloomoolloo
Meat Pie time overlooking Woolloomoolloo Wharf.
Professor Sakaguchi and Co enjoying their first meat pie!
HOME/STUDIO OF MARTIN SHARP, Australia’s most prominent Pop Artist
Everyone enjoyed visiting Martin’s, spending time in his garden and learning about his practice and special place in his heart for Japanese artist, Hokusai, and performer Tiny Tim (who will be releasing a CD in Japan in the near future!!)
Martin signing a Poster he created for a Tiny Tim performance at the Opera House
HOME/STUDIO OF DESIGNER/FILM MAKER JENNIE TATE
Jennie has over 20 years history with Japan, and is currently developing a film in Tokyo culminating from her Japan experiences. Her first artworks she has created for Match Box Projects, are the story boards for this film. Everyone enjoyed meeting Jennie, learning about her film and relaxing for afternoon tea in her beautiful Paddington terrace. They are looking forward to seeing her in Japan in November!
Enjoying supper at Jennie Tates amazing Paddington home
COFA - College of Fine Arts visit, University of New South Wales
Many of Match Box Projects’ participating Sydney artists are alumni or presently completing their post graduate degrees at COFA. COFA is where the foundings of the Match Box Project evolved when Leanne, as an undergraduate student, was asked to design a symbol of her identity. She used two matches to represent her identity as a twin and created a series of match prints that she housed in a giant matchbox. At COFA we visited a number of the studios of our artists
Visiting Anna Kristensen and her amazing paintings of the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves at her COFA studio.
MATCH BOX PROJECTS COFA MINI EXHIBIT AND ARTS EXCHANGE
Thanks to the Dean of COFA, Professor Ian Howard, we exhibited the Match Box Project Galleries and enjoyed celabratory drinks with our artists and supporters of the Projects including members from the Australia Japan Society of New South Wales, Bentine, Resolution Media and COFA, UNSW.
BRONTE TO BONDI WALK
The walk was amazing - the weather changed from rain to blue skies - fresh air, sandstone, nature - only 8 km from the city centre - perfect morning.
Enjoying Bondi Beach
WATSONS BAY FERRY TO CIRCULAR QUAY
After a seafood lunch from Watsons Bay the the fresh air and view from the ferry was amazing.
MATCH BOX GALLERIES
We took our galleries with the works of our Tokyo visitors out for the first time. Everyone enjoyed seeing their work in Match Box Galleries.
Bridging the Gap between Australia and Japan - In front of the MCA
PIER 2/3- BIENNALE OF SYDNEY
We visited Biennale of Sydney venue, Pier 2/3 where Antony Gormley’s Asian Field, 2003 was a favourite.
PADDINGTON MARKETS
Saturdays in Paddington, is great with the markets, terrace architecture and abundent galleries
OFF TO BRISBANE
Our visitors left Sydney for Brisbane to continue their Australian exchange with QCA - see their University exchange project at http://interimage.blogspot.com/
THANK YOU
back in 5
Monika Behrens
Simon Cooper
Hamilton Darroch
Linda Dennis
Keiko Inoue
Koujirou Inoue
Anna Kristensen
Mahou Kudou
Janet Laurence
Ruark Lewis
Zoe MacDonell
Kana Matsushima
Yuka Nakamura
Yuna Ogino
Toshiko Oiyama
Chizuko Saito
Hirotoshi Sakaguchi
Martin Sharp
Leanne Shedlezki
Naomi Shedlezki
Jennie Tate
Takafumi Tsuchiya
Isao Yamaguchi A special thanks to Linda Dennis atTokyo Geidai for helping us make things happen. We gratefully thank the following for their support towards our first Match Box Exchange Tour:
Judith Blackell, Head, Artistic Programs, MCA
Anthony Bond, General Manager, Curatorial Services, Art Gallery of NSW
Craig Figtree, General Manager, Aussie Blue Tours
Ian Howard, Dean, College of Fine Arts, UNSW
Ruark Lewis, Artist, Biennale ofSydney
Charles Merewether, Artistic Director and Curator, Biennale of Sydney, 2006
Yasuko Miyashiro, Interpretor/Translator
Russel Storer, Curator, MCA
special thank you toQantas, Qantas Holidays and the College of Fine Arts for their support
Thank youto all our Sydney participants that welcomed us into their studios/homes and joined us throughout the journey. Sydney Tokyo Match Box Exchange Participants
