Contemporary Art Gallery

Outline

GALLERY

Space Odyssey

February 10 (Sat.),2001,to May 6 (Sun.),2001

Thomas Shannon　"Color Compass Atoms"　2001
Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito　
photo: Mareo Suemasa

One of the "footprints" left by humankind in the 20th century has been its venture into outer space.
Thanks to the development of science and technology and the activities of astronauts/cosmonauts, space has been brought into our living rooms, so to speak, becoming ever more familiar.
In the 1990s, the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope beyond the confines of the atmosphere has enabled us those of us back on earth to see photographs revealing aspects of space never known (or knowable) before.
In 1999, Japan completed the construction of the Subaru Telescope on the slopes of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. Those telescopes have allowed us to further apprehend and appreciate the beautiful appearance of the cosmos. Spatial objects have captured the imagination of artists as well as scientists, as one can look upon the appearance of spatial objects as a kind of abstract painting, with their mysterious and manifold shapes and colors. Some of those artists have been compelled to produce original artistic works based on planetary, stellar and galactic forms.
Art Tower Mito's "Space Odyssey" exibition focuses on the mystery and beauty of outer space, particularly the ties that link human beings and space. It consists of paintings, photographs, installations and videos. Furthermore, we have arranged lectures, with the cooperation of astronomers, dwelling on the theme of humans beings amidst the vastness and greatness of space.
We also plan to hold a workshop for participants to personally experience space and muse about our place in the universe.

Outline

Venue

Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito

Dates

February 10 (Sat.),2001,to May 6 (Sun.),2001

Closing dates

Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a national holiday)

Opening hours

9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (no admittance after 6:00 p.m.)

Admission

Adult ¥800, Advanced purchase and Group discount(more than 20 people) ¥600, Admission Free: Child aged under 15/Senior Citizen over 65/Disabled pass holder and an attendant each/One year pass holders

Organized by

Contemporary Art Center, Art Tower Mito

Supported by

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), The Mito Municipal Board of Education

Grants from

The Japan Foundation, The British Council

In cooperation with

SOUM Corporation, Takeo Co., Ltd.

Curated by

Eriko Osaka (Chief Curator, Contemporary Art Center, ATM)

Contact

TEL 029-227-8120
Contemporary Art Center

RELATED EVENTS

1. Opening Talk: "The Beauty of Outer Space"

David Malin, an astronomer and photographer working at the Anglo-Australian Observatory in Sydney, Australia, has observed the cosmic beauty and mystery for many years.
In September 2000, his astronomical photography was awarded one of photography's most prestigious prizes -- the Lennart Nilson Award of Sweden.
Date: Feb. 10 (Sat.)
Time: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Venue: Workshop, Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito
Lecturer: David Malin

2. Citizens' Lecture 3: "The Challenge of the Subaru Telescope"

The Japanese astronomer Norio Kaifu was the main backer of the Subaru Telescope project, built on Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii.
In his lecture that describes episodes in the project's realization, he demonstrates the appeal of space to our imagination.
Date: Feb. 24 (Sat.)
Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Venue: Conference Room, Art Tower Mito
Lecturer: Norio Kaifu (Director General, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ)
Organized by: Mito Arts Foundation, ATM Tomo-no-kai Members Club

3. Workshop: "Let's Look at Jupiter and Saturn."

Participants in the workshop will have the opportunity to view a clear wintry sky, particularly the planets of Jupiter and Saturn, through two reflecting telescopes (20cm and 30cm).
You can also observe Jupiter's four main moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto) and Saturn's ring.
Dates: Feb. 24 (Sat.) and 25 (Sun.)
Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
* If the weather is cloudy or rainy, the workshop on Feb. 24 will be postponed to March 10 (Sat), and the one on Feb. 25 to March 11 (Sun.)
Venue: Terrace, Art Tower Mito

4. Workshop: "Make a CG Image of outer space by Yourselves."

How about forming a group with a couple of friends or family members to create an image using computer graphics (CG)?
The workshop is aimed at those who can perform simple operations on a computer.
In the workshop, your group will insert its CG image into a photo of outer space.
You can also take home a videotape copy of your CG image (one copy per group).
Sorry, but individuals not applying as a group are not allowed to participate in the workshop.
Date: March 25 (Sun.)
Time: 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Venue: Workshop, Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito
Instructor: Shigekazu Sakai (Asst. Professor, Kyushu Institute of Design)

5. Workshop: "The Right Stuff' Inspection Plan"

One chair is all you need to experience space (i.e., the universe) without a reference point.
Participants will sit in a two-person chair designed by consulting a training program used by NASA and other astronaut-training institutions rotating in the darkness.
Planners: Jiro Hirano and Akiko Inada
Date: May 3 to 5 (Thu. to Sat.)
Time: 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Venue: Workshop, Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito

6. Saturday Gallery Talks

Each Saturday during the Space Odyssey exhibition, a gallery talk will be given by a volunteer guide known as a "CAC Gallery Talker," CAC standing for Contemporary Art Center.
Please be aware that special circumstances may force cancellation during some weeks.
Attendees are requested to gather at the entrance of the gallery by 2:30 p.m. on the day.
Dates: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5
Time: 2:30-3:10 p.m.

7. Gallery Talks for School Classes

Gallery talks for individual classes of schoolchildren will be given on Wednesdays,
Thursdays and Fridays for the duration of the exhibition.
Each talk will last some 40-60 minutes.