:: ARTS & EVENTS

Deutscher Expressionismus, 1905 bis 1925

115 canvases by "German" Expressionists such as Kandinsky, whose work, which developed from the simple forms and vivid colours of the French Fauvists and the multi-faceted vision of the cubists, emphasized the abstract depiction of feelings and moods, and flourished between 1905 and 1925.

until 1/26
Suntory Museum Tempozan
10:30-19:30 (closed 1/20)
\1000 (students \700/500, senior citizens \700)
Tel: 06-6577-0001 www.suntory.co.jp/culture/smt

Tezuka Osamu's Best Friend - Noboru Baba

A retrospective of Noboru Baba, creator of children's picture book series Jyuippiki No Neko (11 cats), along with a look at his lifelong friendship and collaborative work with Tezuka Osamu, creator of Astro Boy.

until 1/26
Osamu Tezuka Memorial Museum, Takarazuka City
JR Hankyu line, Takarazuka Station - 8 minutes walk
Hankyu Takarazuka-Minamiguchi Station - 5 minutes walk
Thu-Tue 09:30-17:00
\500 (students \300/100)
Tel: 0797-81-2970

Constructed Fabric

Recycling - a word that has recently become an important term in fashion. The current main exhibit at the Kobe Fashion Museum is an introduction to patchwork. On display are 150 painstakingly hand-sewn works that relate its history, from traditional, ethnic examples to those of today, and its aesthetic possibilities in terms of colour and form. How will you be affected by this exhibition? Well, for one thing, you can expect to see that recycling is more than just a new fad.

until 2/11
Kobe Fashion Museum 1F
Thu-Tue 10:00-18:00 \800 (students/senior citizens \600)
Tel: 078-858-0050 www.fashionmuseum.or.jp

Robert Mapplethorpe Retrospective

A retrospective of Robert Mapplethorpe, the photographer famous for tone-rich homoerotic and sadomasochistic portraiture. Mapplethorpe fell into photography only gradually, having concentrated on painting and montage early in his career. But as friends encouraged him to take up photography, he drew from his circle of interesting friends to create what was shocking portraiture during the 70s and 80s. The exhibition comprises 150 prints that span his life's works, including still-lives of flowers, for which he is also well-known.

until 2/11
Daimaru Museum, Shinsaibashi
10:00-20:00 (last entry 19:30) (2/5 & 2/11 10:00-18:00)
\800 (students \600)
Tel: 06-6271-1231
www.daimaru.co.jp/museum

Theater of Our Lives

For the fourth year of this annual exhibition, the relationship between fine art and society was planned as the theme, and as such, keywords such as "life" became its focus. Kansai-based artists who are continually active in the area, such as Miwa Yanagi and Yasumasa Morimura will provide a vision of the future.

until 1/13
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Tue-Thu & Sun 10:00-18:00, Fri & Sat 10:00-20:00
\1200 (students \800/400)
Tel: 078-262-0901 www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp

Soroibumi Part 2

In response to the popularity of the 30th anniversary exhibition held at this gallery last year, a sequel is being held, which will center around works that could not be shown last time - a wide variety from the museum's collection.

1/9 - 2/16
Otani Memorial Art Museum, Nishinomiya City
Thu-Tue 10:00-17:00
\500 (students \300/200) Tel: 0798-33-0164 www.nishi.or.jp/~otani/