PICA Intimate Acts

Until 2 August 2009, PICA in Northbridge is putting on an exhibition entitled Intimate Acts, featuring Japanese artist Futoshi Miyagi, among others.

Searching philosophical exchanges, fleeting glimpses and peephole voyeurism, Intimate Acts brings together a range of performative, video and photographic works that provide a glimpse into the nature of intimacy, desire and the suggestive power of the imagination. Drawing together national and international artists, this exhibition explores the social, physical and psychic relations between subjects.

More details are available here.

Nikko: Japan - The Tokugawa Clan

From 15-24 May 2009, artist Zachary Freshwater is holding an exhibition of Japan-inspired paintings, illustration and photography at the Moores Building (46 Henry St, Fremantle). Opening hours are 10-5 daily.

Four years ago a discovery was made in an antique shop of a black and gold lacquered box containing albumen photographs of Nikko, Japan, dating back to 1878.

These photographs led Zachary to an adventure as he found out that Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, is where the last of the Shoguns are buried – the famous Tokugawa clan, rulers of Japan for over 200 years.

These photographs were a source of inspiration for Zachary as they led him to revive them by introducing his art, and incorporating his traditional Japanese sumi-e paintings, different types of Japanese cloth, live sketches and fine art from his journal during his visit to Nikko.

These elements have been combined to bring 50 pieces individually on display for you to experience this wonderful journey.

Flyer here.

More info: call 0427 441 861

Ikebana Semester 1 2009

The Australia-Japan Society of WA runs ikebana (flower arranging) classes in association with the Consulate-General of Japan over two semesters each year. First semester for 2009 starts Wednesday 18 March and lasts for 15 lessons over 15 weeks, until 15 July. Details below:

Why not learn ikebana?

This is an art that has been practised for centuries and has spread widely across the globe. You too can acquire the skills of ikebana through a series of simple steps in the course of lessons conducted by a qualified Japanese teacher.

Learn how to use flowers and foliage (even fruit and vegetables!) to create wonderful floral sensations for all to enjoy.

There will also be a demonstration class at the Consulate-General on Wednesday 4 March from 10:30am – for details, email info@jpnwa.com

Ikebana Classes Semester 1 2009

Where: Consulate-General of Japan, 21st Floor, Forrest Centre, 221 St Georges Tce
Map: View map
When: Every Wednesday for 15 weeks from 18 March – 15 July (inc 3 holidays in between)
Times: Beginners 10:30-12:00; Intermediate/Advanced 12:30-14:00
Cost: $210 beginners – that’s $14 per class, including tuition, flowers, and tools; $230 advanced
Transport: 10 min walk from Perth station, or catch the blue CAT and get off at stop 1.
Enquiries: Emmanuel on 9384 8048

Tea Ceremony Demonstration & Course

Free demonstration

On Tuesday, September 23 from 10:30am to 12:30pm, a Japanese Tea Ceremony (Sado) demonstration by Certified Sado Instructor of the Omotesenke School, Ms Soka Yoshiko Okamoto (Perth Hoseikai), will take place at the classroom at the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth. Ms Okamoto will introduce the history of Japanese Tea Ceremony, as well as some basic information about the traditional form of culture in easy to understand terms.

A simplified version of Japanese Tea Ceremony that enables anyone to enjoy tea in their own home using basic tea equipment will also be demonstrated. Admission is free and advance bookings are not required, so please invite your friends and come along to the demonstration.

Introductory course

Ms Okamoto will also conduct a Japanese Tea Ceremony Introductory Course at the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth (sponsored by the Australia-Japan Society WA), featuring a simplified version of Tea Ceremony. Due to tea equipment restraints, lessons are only able to accommodate four participants. If a large number of applications are received, four applicants will be drawn at random.

The lessons will take place on October 21, 28, November 4, 11 and 18 (five lessons in total, each taking place from 10:30am to 12:30pm). A course fee of $115 applies to each participant. Upon notification, each participant will be required to forward their payment by cheque to the Australia-Japan Society WA before the first lesson.

If you have any enquiries as to the demonstration, please call the Consulate General of Japan in Perth (9480 1800). Questions as to the sado course should be to Emmanuel from AJSWA (9384 8048).

The Zen Gardens

From Saturday 23 August to Wednesday 27 August 2008 at the Central Tafe Gallery, Tomomi Inoue will be exhibiting her silkscreen printings and digital printed textiles.

Entry to her exhibition, The Zen Gardens is free, and opening hours are –

23/8, 25/8, 26/8: 10-5
27/8: 10-1
24/8: Closed

Kumamoto Artpolis

From 6-21 June 2008, Central TAFE Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition entitled Kumamoto Artpolis: Architecture through Communication.

What happens when architects are charged with revitalisation of a region through works of architecture embodying entirely new ideas? This exhibition documents the creative development of the built environment of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, presented in association with the Japan Foundation.

There is a lot of interesting architecture going on throughout Kyushu, as cities like Kumamoto and Fukuoka position themselves as the new hubs of modern Japan. Get down to the TAFE Gallery and check out this free exhibition!

Kumamoto Artpolis

Place: Central TAFE Gallery, 12 Aberdeen St, Perth
Map: View Map
Open: 6 (Fri) – 21 (Sat) June 2008; Mon-Fri 10am-4:45pm; Sat 2pm-4:45pm
Admission: Free
Getting there: The CAT stops just outside the Gallery, or it’s a 5-min walk from Perth Station; turn right at Aberdeen St and it’s just before Beaufort / Barrack St, opposite the main Central TAFE building.
Enquiries: (08) 9427 1318

Pottery Exhibition

The Heritage House Cultural Centre is playing host this month to an amazing exhibition of Japanese kiln pottery. It features styles from all across Japan and creative minds described as ‘leaders of the next generation’ of ceramic artists.

The theme of the exhibition focuses on “vessels,” endeavouring to show how ceramic artists understand the function of vessels, the better to understand the present situation, and the future, of Japanese pottery.

If you have an interest in pottery or Japanese art, you shouldn’t miss the beautiful works on display here. If you don’t, go and check it out anyway, and after seeing some of these you might just get interested.

Japanese Pottery: The rising generation from traditional Japanese kilns

Where: Heritage House Cultural Centre, 111 Mill Point Rd, South Perth
Map: View map
When: 14-27 November 2007
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat-Sun 10-4
Cost: Free
Transport: Route 34 runs from Wellington St Busport to just near the Cultural Centre; check the map from Transperth
Enquiries: heritage@southperth.wa.gov.au or (08) 9474 1870

Japanese Fine Arts Exhibition 2007

This month we’re lucky enough to have four Japanese fine artists and one home-grown convert giving exhibitions and workshops at the Heritage House Cultural Centre just over the river in South Perth. Entitled power of wood and paper: listen to their whispering…, the exhibition will feature the following artists, who will be in house:

Ichikazu Aida: Noh masks (noh-men)

Gyokuyoh Okura: Calligraphy (shodo)

Izumi Kudo: Woodblock prints (hanga)

Tetsu Kato, who learnt under the late Tomiyo Tazawa (whose works will also be on display); and Kathleen George: Japanese paper art (washi chigiri-e)

Workshops are offered on Saturday 23 June in chigiri-e (10:00~11:30) and calligraphy (13:00~14:30) so if you have an interest, take your chance and learn from the best! Participation in the workshops is $25. Although anyone can join in, places are limited, so please reserve a spot on the number below.

General entry is free, so do yourself a favour and check out this stirring exhibition.

Japanese Fine Arts Exhibition 2007

Where: Heritage House Cultural Centre, 111 Mill Point Rd, South Perth
Map: View map
When: 22-30 June 2007 – Workshops are Sat 23 June (see above)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat-Sun 10-4
Cost: Free; workshops are $25
Transport: Route 34 runs from Wellington St Busport to just near the Cultural Centre; check the map from Transperth
Enquiries: heritage@southperth.wa.gov.au or (08) 9474 1870

3×3 Urban Art Project

Three by Three is a public urban project in the city’s Forrest Place:

The urban art project 3 × 3 was developed to make a positive contribution to the vitality of the area and create a new and surprising environment for visitors to the City. Each artwork will remain in place for three days.

Initiated in 2003, this project continues to provide City visitors with unique experiences. Since then, innovative Western Australian artists have created artworks that seriously tackle the role of the public square as a civic space, whilst others have opted to create works that offer a playful interlude for pedestrians.

The three artists featured are Geoffrey Drake-Brockman (Sat 24 March – Mon 26 March 2007,) Bennett Miller (Tues 27 March – Thurs 29 March 2007) and Bridget Waters (Fri 30 March – Sun 1 April 2007.)

Three by Three

Where: Forrest Place, Perth City
Map: View Map
Date: Sat 24 March – Sun 1 April 2007
Cost: Free
Transport information: Forrest Place is right in the middle of city and easily accessible from Wellington Street and the Perth train station on one side and the Murray Street Mall on the other.
Enquiries: belinda_cobby@cityofperth.wa.gov.au or (08) 9461 3154

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

Sculpture by the Sea is on again this year at Cottesloe beach:

Over 50 local, interstate and international artists transform Perth’s most popular beach into a stunning sculpture park overlooking the Indian Ocean. Don’t miss Sculpture Inside upstairs in the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club.

Sculpture by the Sea

Where: Cottesloe Beach, Cottesloe
Map: View Map
Date: Thursday 8 – Sunday 18 March
Cost: Free
Transport information: The Sculpture by the Sea website contains detailed transport information on how to get to Cottesloe beach.
Enquiries: info@sculpturebythesea.com or (02) 8399 0233