Brain! Exploring Wondrous Mysteries

Thru May 13

Osaka Museum of History, Osaka

The brain — the most wondrous organ in the human body. From the dawn of civilization, human beings have posed the question, “Who am I?” The question has never been properly answered but inquiries all lead back to the stuff between your ears. The human brain is distinguishes us from the other species and apparently creates the mind or consciousness that provides your individuality. “Brain! Exploring Wondrous Mysteries” includes the latest research results and is Japan’s first large-scale exhibition on this amazing organ. It offers visitors the opportunity to encounter the mysteries of the human brain and the scientific activities designed to explore some of those mysteries.

Getting there: Subway Tanimachi-line, Tanimachi 4-chome stn., exit 9.
Open 9:30am–5pm. Closed Tue
Admission: ¥1,000/¥670
06-6946-5728

Kataoka Tsurutaro Exhibitoin

Thru Apr 22

The Museum — Eki Kyoto (Isetan), Kyoto

Kataoka was a comedian, boxer and actor before he was acclaimed for his art work. He grew interested in “Suibokuga” (art of sumi-ink and water) when he was forty years old and had his first private exhibition in 1995. Since then, he has had numerous exhibitions and has established himself as one of the more famous Suibokuga artists of his time. This exhibition displays mostly his drawings from when he visited Kyoto.

Getting there: JR Kyoto stn, Isetan Dept Store 7F
Open: 10am–8pm
Admission: ¥700/¥500/ free for elementary school and under
075-352-1111

Fabrizio Corneli: Elogio Dell Ombra

Apr 7—May 13

Mssohkan, Osaka

Fabrizio Corneli’s work explores the relationship between subjectivity and objectivity through light and shadow in order to define the line that lies in between the optical presence and mental projection of reality. To do this, he has over the past couple of decades developed a unique formula to develop a precise way of shaping and molding pieces of metal to project certain sketches of shadow on a wall.

The unique technique is a consequence of his relentless effort to control the daily natural phenomenon that tacitly points to the physicality of all elements of the universe. However, the spectator’s initial fascination for the technique is soon replaced by an array of wonders as well as thoughts. The contradiction that the shadows are literally created by rays of light, when, here, the light only seems to exist to enhance the phantasm. The light, that enables all physical beings to be registered as such in our neurological systems and confirms the very essence of existence, has another facet that turns entire cubic objects into super-flat silhouettes.

The naked eyes gradually evolve to become “thinking eyes” once they learn how much they are used to seeing where lights is. Fabrizio Corneli was born in 1958 and lives and works in Florence, Italy. His works were first shown in Kobe (2000) then traveled to Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Photo Museum), Sapporo (CIA Sapporo), Yokohama (Yokohama Portside Gallery) and Aichi (Aichi Expo Italian Pavilion). In April 2007, his show will be exclusively organized at MSSOHKAN Kobe and Kobe Biennale 07 as a permanent installation to commemorate the cultural event.

Getting there: Hankyu line, Oji-Koen stn.
Open: 1 – 6:30pm. Closed Wed/Thu
Admission: free
078-802-8822

Japo-Rhythm — Hiroshi Nishimura
“T-Shirt Art” Exhibition

May 3—6

Uzura Gallery, Kyoto

Born in 1971 in Kyoto, Nishimura established the design label Japo-Rhythm, which is a combination of Japonisme (French) and Rhythm (English), where they can express the beauty of Japanese art in the modern world through colors and rhythms. The theme of this exhibition is T-shirts, and the artist is hoping he can escape from boring, trite norms by creating all the possibilities of art that a T-shirt can convey.

Getting there: Sanjo Teramachi Nishiiru. Keihan Sanjo stn, 5 min on feet
Open: 12–6pm
Admission: Free
Map: http://sound.jp/uzura/map_.jpg

Kansai Art Listings April

ART section compiled by Maki Nibayashi