Exhibit at Japan Foundation Gallery in Sydney, Australia Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Special Thanks to Evon Fung "Japan: Kingdom of Characters" officially opened to the public last Friday attracting over 1,000 visitors of all ages in the first week alone. The exhibition runs until 28 May with free weekly Public Programs accompanying the exhibition. Wednesday night saw the first of the Public Programs commence. It was a successful result, with the lecture room filled to capacity. Dr Michael Hill (aka Doctor Comics) gave a thorough overview on the anime and manga phenomenon. Ms Tokiko Kiyota, director of the Japan Foundation, Sydney, is astonished by the extraordinary response from the Australian public. “We are very impressed by the high interest shown towards our exhibition and lecture series so far. We hope this will encourage more people to come again to the Japan Foundation and the services we offer.”
Next Wednesday night will feature an anime screening from Director Makoto Shinkai. THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS (???????????, Kumo no Mukoo, Yakusoku no Basho, 2004) centers around three teenage characters challenged to support each other in a futuristic world that is rapidly changing, altering their perceptions of time and space. At the end of World War II, Japan was split and a great tower was erected that reached the skies. For three friends, Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri, they promised each other to one day travel to the tower to finally see its brilliance. But when Sayuri suddenly disappeared from their lives, that promise was broken. Three years later, Hiroki finds out that Sayuri has been in coma since that time. What Hiroki and Takuya will eventually discover is that somehow, Sayuri`s unconsciousness is linked with secrets of the tower... and the world. The following Wednesday will see Dr Emiko Okayama explore how the graphic nature of the Japanese kanji writing system has fostered a close relationship between words and pictures, giving the Japanese a creative edge in the world of e-media. The Public Programs will continue every Wednesday night during the exhibition season, with the gallery opened for extended hours, until 8:30pm. Japan: Kingdom of Characters 8 April – 28 May Japan Foundation Gallery Level 1, Chifley Plaza, 2 Chifley Square, Sydney Gallery hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm, Wednesdays until 8:30pm Saturdays 16 & 30 April, 14 & 28 May, 11am – 4pm Public Programs: Wednesdays during exhibition season from 6:30pm Free admission
About The Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. It was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced.
For more information on this event please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: