THE ART OF STAR WARS
Part 2 Episodes I, II + a
Until 3/7
Da Da DADADA Da-Da DADADA....A long time ago,
in a galaxy far far away. Yes! Stars Wars the seemingly endless
science-fiction epic saga that has captivated millions with a rich
narrative of intergalactic struggles between the Jedi Knights and
the dark side of the Force, is back. This time at the Kyoto National
Museum.
The museum presents an exhibition featuring artworks,
objects and costumes from Episode I 'The Phanton Menance', and Episode
II 'The Attack of the Clones'.
Highlights of this exhibition include a reconstruction
of the pod-racing ground. Pod racing (as all Star Wars fans will
tell you) is a dangerous sport that takes place on the desert planet,
Tatooine. Small crafts powered by two enormous engines that can
reach speeds of 850mph is raced across a dramatic landscape of mesas,
canyons and caves. Young Anakin Skywalker, aged around 7 takes part
in this illegal race and his flagholder is the fussy and worry-prone
humanlike droid, C-3PO. Young Anakin built Threepio from discarded
scrap. As he has no outer shell and his wiring is exposed, C-3PO
frets over the fact that he is "naked." Models of this
remarkable homemade droid who appears in all six episodes, can be
seen at the exhibition.
Also on exhibit are the many creative and dramatic
costumes worn in the film, especially those of Queen Amidala, one
of the main characters of the New Triology. These gowns that cost
hundreds
of thousands of dollars to create, using textiles and fabrics from
over thirty countries will certainly inspire the fashion conscious
among us. Whether you're into fashion, art, science fiction or the
movies, this exhibition is worth a visit.
Kyoto National Museum
Open: 9:30-18:00, Fridays till 20:00
Closed: Mondays and Feb.2,9,26,23 and Mar.1
Entry: Adult ¥1,400/ ¥1,000/ ¥400
(Discount for large group of over 20)
Price Includes admission to the permanent collection galleries
in the New Exhibition Hall
Getting there: From Kyoto station, take city bus 206 or 208
to "Hakubutsukan-Sanjusangendo-mae"
One minute walk to the Museum
www.kyohaku.go.jp
Tel: 075-541-1151
Message from the Ainu:
Craft and Spirit
12/09 - 01/12
 The
Ainu lived mainly in Hokkaido, but also in areas ranging from the
Tohoku region to southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.
The Ainu used their own language, developed oral
story telling traditions such
as "Yukar," ceremonies such as "Iomante — the
bear spirit-sending ceremony" and had a rich culture, as can
be seen in the uniqueness of Ainu patterns.
Since the 18th century, the distinctive culture
of the Ainu has been attracting many people, and crafts and articles
for everyday use created by the Ainu, in particular, have been collected
by museums, private collectors and art galleries both in and outside
the country.
Most exhibitions held thus far to show Ainu culture were planned
and organiTel: ed by museum curators and researchers with almost no
input by the Ainu themselves.
The Museum of Ethnology invited the people of
Ainu descent to join the planning committee for this exhibition
and asked them to take charge of planning and organiTel: ing it.
This exhibition was therefore created and developed
by the Ainu through a process in which they considered, examined
and discussed their own culture.
Kokuritsu MinTel: okugaku Hakubutsukan
(Museum of Ethnology)
Inside Expo Park, Banpaku Kinen Koen Stn.
Open: 10am-4:30pm, closed Wed.
Admission: ¥420/¥250/¥110
www.minpaku.ac.jp/english/
Tel: 06–6876-2151
Treasures from the World’s Cultures:
The British Museum after 250 Years
Until 03/28
 This
year marks the 250th anniversary of the British Museum, founded
in 1753 to promote universal understanding through the arts, natural
history and science in a public museum. As part of the celebrations,
the museum is bringing 270 artifacts from its unparalleled collection
for this exhibit.
Kobe City Museum
Open: 10am–5pm, closed Mon
Admission: ¥800/¥550
Tel: 078-391-0035
Kansai Art Listings
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Osaka
Feb.6–11
SUMISO GALLERY SPACE
A CHANCE TO CUT IS A CHANCE TO CURE
Featuring work by Lynda Carmody and InOjaQ. Prepared Canvas,
Urban Kiri-e and Sound Installation.
Kita-horie
Open: 12noon–8:00pm
Admission: Free
Tel: 06-4390-5551
Thru ??
Gallery at the Hyatt
Koji Ukon — One Man Exhibition
Yotsubashi line, Suminoe-Koen stn. Change to New Tram Nakafuto
stn. Also available, free shuttle bus from
JR Osaka stn. Chuo Kita-guchi exit.
Open: 11am-6pm
Admission: Free
Tel: 0743-79-9711
Thru Mar.7
Kirin PlaTel: a Osaka
Modification: Works for Venice Biennale 2003
by Motoohiko Odani
Soemon-cho
Open: 11am–8:30pm
Admission: ¥700/¥500/free for kids
Tel: 06-6212-6578
Feb.16-18
TRIANGLE CLUB
EXPOSE
Americamura
Open: 9:30am-4pm
Admission: Free
Tel: 06-6212-2264
Thru Mar.31
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics
Masterpieces of Oriental Ceramics
Midosuji subway/Keihan Yodoyabashi stn. 5min. walk
Open: 9:30am–4:30pm (closed Mon.)
Admission: ¥500/¥300
Tel: 06-6223-0055
Thru Feb.16
Osaka Rekishi Museum
The Three Great CiviliTel: ations in Turkey
Otemae 4-chome
Open: 9:30am-4pm closed Tue.
Admission: ¥1200/¥900
Tel: 06-6946-5728
Thru Feb.27
Osaka Shiritsu Musuem
The 400 year history of diamonds in Europe
JR/Subway Tennoji stn.
Open: 9:30am-4pm closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1200/¥900/free
Tel: 06-6771-4874
Thru Apr.6
Osaka Shiritsu Toji Tojo Museum
Chinese, Korean and Japanese Ceramics
Keihan/Subway: Yodoyabashi stn.
Open: 9:30am-4:30pm closed Mon
Admission: ¥500/¥300/free for children and seniors
Tel: 06-6223-0055
Feb.14–Apr.4
Suntory Museum, TempoTel: an
Jena Nouvel: Architect
Open: 10:30am-7pm, closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1000/¥700/¥500
Tel: 06-6577-0001
KYOTO
Thru Mar.21
Asahi Beer OyamaTel: aki Sanso Museum
Over 150 animal-shaped toys and dolls from around the globe
JR YamaTel: aki/Hankyu OyamaTel: aki stn.
Open: 10am–6pm (closed Mon.)
Admission: ¥600/¥400/free
Tel: 075-957-3123
Thru Feb.11
Hosomi Museum
Lloyd Cotsen: Japanese Bamboo Crafts
OkaTel: aki Saishoji-cho
Open: 10am – 5:30pm. Closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1000/¥800
Tel: 075-752-5555
HYOGO
Thru Mar.28
Himeji Shiritsu Bijyutsukan
Collection of Belgian Art
JR/Sanyo Himeji stn., Behind Himeji Castle
Open: 10am–4:30pm
Closed on Mon. & Feb.12
Admission: ¥500/¥400/¥200
Tel: 0792-22-2288
Thru Mar.
Kobe Fashion Museum
Hats, caps and headresses from around the globe
Island Center stn. Rokko Island
Open: 10am-5:30pm closed Wed.
Admission: ¥500/¥250
Tel: 078-858-0050
Thru Feb.29
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
Artists of Garou: Special Exhibition And Nakayama wata
Exhibition
Hanshin Iwaya stn. 8 min walk south.
Open: 10am–5:30pm closed Mon.
Admission: ¥800/¥550/¥270
Tel: 078-262-0901
Thru Mar.14
Hyogo Kenritsu Bijutsukan
Gutai Exhibition
Hanshin Iwaya stn.
Open: 10am – 5pm. Closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1200/¥800/¥400
Tel: 078-262-0901
Thru Feb.15
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History
Samurai and their lives in Northern Harima
JR/Sanyo Himeji stn. Nr. Himeji Castle
Open: 10am–4:30pm (closed Mon.)
Admission: ¥800/¥550/¥270
Tel: 0792-88-9011
NARA
Thru Dec.27
Nara Kenritsu Museum
Yumeji Takehisa: a retrospective
Kintetsu Nara stn.
Open: 9am-4:30pm (closed Mon.)
Admission: ¥800/¥600/¥400
Tel: 0742-23-3968
Thru Nov.24
Yamato Bunkakan
Korean Paintings and Crafts from the museum collection
Kintentsu Gakuen-mae stn.
Open: 10am-4pm (closed Mon.)
Admission: ¥900/¥450
Tel: 0742-45-0544
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