August - October 2003 Programme

From Manga to Shakuhachi, the Art Gallery's Wednesday night programme Art After Hours celebrates all things Japanese this August and September, to complement the exhibition: Seasons: The Beauty of Transience in Japanese Art

Weekly celebrity guests such as Hugh Mackay, Philip Brophy and Leo Schofield give insights into the Japanese elements of their world, from their secret gardens to feng shui philosophies. Robert Herbert's film programme, live jazz, art appreciation lectures and the caf�'s special evening menu complete the Art After Hours mix to bring Sydney a FREE Wednesday night line up of art and entertainment.

Seasons: The Beauty of Transience in Japanese Art explores the Japanese love and appreciation of nature through works of art spanning 400 years, including ceramics, paintings, textiles and lacquer ware. View the moon, cheery blossom and maple from a new perspective in the exhibition's two shows: Spring to Summer (16 August - 22 September) and Autumn to Winter (27 September - 26 October).

The Japanese inspired Art After Hours Programme runs from:

 Wednesday 20 August until Wednesday 1 October.

Celebrity Talks 6.30pm

� 20 August. Distinguished Shakuhachi player, Riley Lee, gives an introductory talk to his dynamic performance with TaikOZ drummer, Kenichi Koizumi.

� 27 August. Australian Museum Director, Professor Michael Archer presents Kyoto Accord: Saving the Seasons.

� 3 September. Anime expert, Philip Brophy discusses Manga as Art.

� 10 September. Writer and Sydney Morning Herald Columnist Hugh Mackay philosophises the Seasons of Life.

� 17 September. Leo Schofield unlocks his Secret Garden.

� 24 September. Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull presents Reflecting on our Changing Cultural Landscape. To complement the 20th Century Australian Art & Aboriginal Collections.

� 1 October. Associate Professor Peter McCallum, Assistant Principal, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, presents Seasons in Music.

Art Appreciation Lectures 6pm

The mysteries and methods of the world's greatest art are unravelled in this weekly guest lecture series.
Bookings and Costs. Telephone 9225 1878.

Free Films 7.15pm

� Changing Seasons
Robert Herbert's film programme explores Japanese film directors' skilful ability to draw in elements such as seasons and surroundings to accentuate important dramatic details in characters and plot.

Highlights include the dark contemporary comedy A, Haru (Ah, Spring) on Wednesday 20 August, and Tombstone For Fireflies, produced by Japan's most renowned animation studio, Studio Ghibl on Wednesday 24 September.

Jazz in the Gallery Caf� 7.30pm

Talented Jazz trios take the caf� into evening swing. A Japanese inspired evening menu is available from 5pm.

 
Free Guided tour of the Gallery 7.30pm

Gallery Shop and Library Open until 8.45pm.

A courtesy bus runs to surrounding car parks and Martin Place from 7 to 9pm.

Information
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road
The Domain Sydney 2000
Telephone: (02) 9225 1744 or 1800 679 278
Website: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Media Information:
Margaux Simms, Press Office
Telephone 61 2 9225 1618
Email margauxs@ag.nsw.gov.au

IMAGE: Shimomura Kanzan, The Beggar Monk, 1915 (detail)