Escalate: Gary McLeod exhibition

Aug 15-20

Kaigan Dori Gallery Caso, Osaka

For two years, the traffic lights of Osaka have been quietly showcased in the work of British artist Gary McLeod. After coming here in 2003, the sheer number of lights had a profound effect on the artist's works and methods, resulting in several video installations and photographic works along the way. This exhibition at Osaka's Kaigan Dori Gallery CASO marks Gary fifth in Japan and signals a move away from his more familiar subject matter and towards new pastures. In this video installation work, the view from all 232 escalators from each station of the Osaka city subway network have been filmed and collated into a never-ending video. Played randomly, the experiences within Escalate (2006) vary from empty modernist spaces to commuter rushes to intimate encounters with strangers but with one constant: the pulse of the city embodied by the steady speed of the escalator. In a place inhabited only by commuters, initially we are the flâneur of this environment, watching and studying, whilst shifting effortlessly between the worlds above and below. However in time we become less the flâneur and more the dweller trapped between two places, our origin and our destination, in a world, which is neither here nor there.

A limited edition of 232 DVD copies of the video (signed and numbered) will be available to purchase during the exhibition. More information about this piece and Gary's previous works can be found on his website: www:macinosaka.com

Getting there: Subway Chuo, Technoport line,
Osaka-ko stn, exit 6
Open: 11am-7pm (last day 5pm). Closed Mon
Admission: Free
Tel: 06-6576-3633

Tomimoto Kenkichi Exhibition

Thru Sep 10

The National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto

The exhibition commemorates the 120th anniversary of the birth of Tomimoto Kenkichi, a ceramicist, who was born in Ando village, Nara Prefecture in 1886. He graduated from the Tokyo Fine Arts School Design Department and during his studies, he visited England. The meeting with Bernard Leach right after after his trip proved to be a turning point of his career as he became inspired by the potter. Tomimoto is known as a master of modern ceramics and he was designated a Living National Treasure in 1955 and received the Order of Cultural Merit in 1961.

Getting there: From JR/Kintetsu Kyoto stn, take 5 bus,
get off at Kyoto-Kaikan-Bijyutsukan-mae.
Open: 9:30am–4:30pm. Closed Mon
Admission: ¥830/¥450/¥250
Tel: 075-761-4111

Angkor Wat and the Glory of the Khmer Dynasty

Thru Sep 12

Osaka Museum of History, Osaka

Angkor Wat and the Glory of the Khmer Dynasty exhibition, comprised of exhibits from the Phnom Penh National Museum, is being held to commemorate the cultural exchange between Cambodia and Japan. The Angkor archaeological region, which attracts visitors worldwide, is the stage for one of the world's largest stone monuments that exemplifies glory of a great dynasty. In the beginning of the 9th century, kings of the Khmer dynasty commissioned numerous temples and statues venerating Buddhist and Hindu gods. The elegantly serene and intricately carved works in stone and bronze are fine examples of the Khmer's humble respect toward nature and their hope for peace. Indeed, Angkor Wat and the monuments of Angkor may well be referred to as the ultimate “Art of Tranquility”. Through this exhibition, which showcases masterpieces from the Phnom Penh National Museum, you can experience and appreciate the philosophical world of paradise created by the pious hands of the Khmer people centuries ago. In 1992, the Angkor archaeological region was designated a World Heritage by UNESCO but was also listed as an endangered monument. Today, in cooperation with the Cambodian Government many countries including Japan are taking an active role to restore and conserve this significant region. We hope this exhibition will also serve to strengthen the awareness toward this effort and will contribute to developing the friendly ties between these two nations.

Getting there: ?????
Open 9:30am–4:30pm. Closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1,300/¥900
Tel: 06-6946-5728

Tickets Giveaway

PEANUTS © United Feature Syndicate, Inc. www.snoopy.co.jp

Suntory Museum, Osaka is giving away 10 pairs of tickets for the 'Happiness is the 55th Anniversary -SNOOPY Life Design Exhibition'. In order to collect your free tickets, just send your name, nationality and complete postal address to giveaway@kansaiscene.com by 31st Aug. The exhibition is open till 24th Sep. (Open: 10:30am-7:30pm, close on 4th & 11th Sep. Tel: 06-6577-0001)

Kansai Art Listings August

ART section compiled by Maki Nibayashi