Mediarena: contemporary art from Japan, the largest exhibition of contemporary Japanese art ever to be held in New Zealand, opens on Saturday 13 March at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

The opening weekend will be launched on Sunday 14 with an extensive lineup of events including a live performance by flamboyant Japanese rock duo Gorgerous, activation of the Gallery's artist in residence project Radikal Carbon on the foreshore, and a keynote lecture by leading international art commentator and Mediarena co-curator Fumio Nanjo.  

"To celebrate the opening of Mediarena, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is presenting a dynamic programme for Taranaki audiences to enjoy. Sunday's events will take place throughout the day inside and outside the Gallery," said Gallery Director Gregory Burke.

Norboru Tsubaki's foreshore installation Radikal Carbon, a project consisting of kilns that convert bamboo into charcoal, will be officially activated with the lighting of its many chimneys throughout the day from 11am to 4pm. 

"This project is a major feature of Mediarena and its location on the foreshore means a wider audience can be involved in this New Plymouth-exclusive art event," said Mr Burke.

Fumio Nanjo, who will deliver his first keynote lecture in New Zealand at the Gallery on Sunday 14 March at 11am, is one of Japan's most internationally recognised curators and a key figure behind the inception of Mediarena.

"Fumio Nanjo was recently appointed Deputy Director of the Mori Art Museum, a new major art museum situated in Roppongi on the top floors of Tokyo's tallest building. He was one of four curators of the inaugural Yokohama Triennale in 2001 and served as the Japanese Commissioner for the Venice Biennale in 1997 and Commissioner for the 1998 Taipei Biennale, Site of Desire," said Mr Burke.

 
The major not-to-be-missed performance of Japanese rock duo Gorgerous will take place at 12.30pm in the Gallery theatre. The duo will provide the performance highlight of the day using their "love arm" instruments – their renowned handmade instruments featuring motorbike handlebars and mirror balls that double as sculptures and musical and light instruments.

"Gorgerous have devised a special set for their New Zealand appearances with new costumes and dynamic computer graphic projections. This includes a humorous tribute to American Rock and Roll featuring songs by Elvis Presley, amongst others. Art has a strong social dimension and crossover events like this are popular in Tokyo, drawing both art and music audiences," said Mr Burke.

Featuring Mediarena artist Hiroyuki Matsukage, the event draws on the mass consumer world of rock, sport, science fiction and fashion as well as art traditions going back to 1920's Futurism and the "happenings" of the 1960s.

At 2.00pm Mediarena artists Tadasu Takamine and Hiroyuki Matsukage will join exhibition co-curators Gregory Burke and Roger McDonald to give a guided tour of Mediarena exploring the themes behind the exhibition and individual artworks.

Hiroyuki Matsukage will discuss his work, including his major interactive installation Star included in Mediarena. Tadasu Takamine is a leading Japanese video and performance artist whose work focuses on sexuality, humanity and the body. Takamine, who is a past member of the high tech performance group Dumbtype, will discuss his acclaimed work God Bless America included in Mediarena.

Co-curator of Mediarena, Roger McDonald is the Deputy Director of Arts Initiative Tokyo, a new non-profit arts organisation in Tokyo and an internationally regarded lecturer on Japanese art. McDonald teaches at the Bigakko art school and DJs at club Minglius in Tokyo.

McDonald will lecture on the latest developments in art in Tokyo on Tuesday 9 March at 6pm.

      

Noboru Tsubaki, the Gallery's international artist in residence, will give a special talk about Radikal Carbon on the foreshore at 3.30pm on Sunday 14 March. Tsubaki, is an Associate Professor at Tezukayama Gakuin University, Osaka and Director of Inter-Medium Institute, Osaka and gained much attention for a giant inflatable grasshopper he installed outside a high-rise hotel building at the 2001 Yokohama Triennale.

Asia 2000, Creative New Zealand, the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund, the New Zealand Community Trust and the New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme are supporting the extensive performance, speaker and music programmes to be held in New Plymouth, Auckland and Wellington. 

"We are pleased to acknowledge the generous support of these key sponsors who are enabling the Govett-Brewster to bring this exhibition to the widest audience and increase cultural exchange between Japan and New Zealand." said Mr Burke.

MEDIARENA EVENTS

Keynote lecture: Roger McDonald
Tuesday 9 March 6.00pm

OPENING WEEKEND: SUNDAY

11.00-4.00pm: Foreshore artist's performance and talk
New Plymouth foreshore walkway

11.00am: Keynote lecture: Fumio Nanjo
Gallery Theatre

12.30pm: Gorgerous Live
Gallery Theatre

2.00pm: Artists' and curators' talks

3.30pm: Radikal Carbon: Artist's talk
New Plymouth foreshore walkway

EVENT SPONSORS:

Asia 2000; Creative New Zealand; the New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme; the New Zealand Community Trust; Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund.

EXHIBITION SPONSORS:

The Japan Foundation; Shiseido Tokyo; Toshiba Foundation Tokyo; TSB Community Trust; the Govett-Brewster Foundation; the Chartwell Trust.