Contemporary Art Gallery

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Nomura Hitoshi- Genesis of Life: The Universe, The Sun, DNA

August 5 (Sat.),2000,to October 15 (Sun.),2000

Installation view at Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito 　Photo:Masataka Nakano

In 1996, the artist Hitoshi NOMURA -- whose works in the 1980s incorporated photographs that he took of solar and stellar movements -- created installation works based on the theme of meteorites. One included an airplane tail, while the other was combined with the double helical structure of DNA. Meanwhile, three years later, in 1999, he succeeded in driving across the continental U.S. in the vehicle Sun Structure '99 (a sixth-generation solar car) in the HAAS Project, having engaged in the production of a solar car with members of the Solar Power Lab. since 1993.

Those actions go to show that Hitoshi Nomura -- known for his photographic expressions since the 1970s -- has conclusively demonstrated that he is no mere photographer. The current exhibition at ATM aims to find out how his dynamic activities in the '90s originated, and explores possible directions he may take in the future. One can thus regard the current exhibition as an intermediate overview of Nomura's activities over the last three decades.

The exhibition comprises a total of 80 works, including the dynamic installations mentioned above. They also include Nomura's 1980s works, which served as the basis for the works that followed. Bracketing the collection are an important work from the 1970s, as well as a new work -- "Universe, Sun, DNA" -- created particularly for the ATM exhibition. The latter work, reminiscent of the exhibition's name, connotes Nomura's strong interest in the origin of life. Indeed, visitors are welcome to enjoy romantic images of the origin of life, a theme that consistently pervades all Nomura's works.

Outline

Venue

Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito

Dates

August 5 (Sat.),2000,to October 15 (Sun.),2000

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

Sponsored by

Shiseido, Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation

In cooperation with

SOUM Corporation, Takeo Co., Ltd., Air Water Inc.

Curated by

Tsukasa Mori (Curator, Contemporary Art Center, ATM)

Contact

TEL 029-227-8120
Contemporary Art Center

RELATED EVENTS

1. Talk and Talk


1) Artist Talk
Date: August 5 (Sun)
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Contemporary Art Gallery, ATM
Lecturer: Hitoshi Nomura

2) HAAS Project: Report and Discussion
A detailed account will be given on the HAAS project, in which the members rode a solar car 5,000km (3,000 miles) across the continental U.S. continent in 33 days.
Date: August 6 (Sun)
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Workshop room, Contemporary Art Gallery, ATM
Panelists: Hitoshi Nomura, Solar Power Lab., Kaori Makabe (writer, editor)

3) Curator's Talk
Date: August 19 (Sat), September 16 (Sat), and October 7 (Sat)
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Contemporary Art Gallery, ATM
Lecturer: Tsukasa Mori (curator, Contemporary Art Center, ATM)

2. Science for Life Seminar


The earth, life, and human beings will be discussed in terms of the universe's 15-billion-year history. Two scientists, active both in their own specialties as well as in extracurricular fields, will talk about the birth of the universe, formation of the solar planets, generation of the earth environment, the advent of life, and today's environmental problems, in simple terms that anyone can understand.
1) "Changing Aqua-planet - the Earth"
Date: August 26 (Sat)
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Conference Hall, Art Tower Mito
Lecturer: Dr. Takafumi Matsui (professor of comparative planetary studies at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo)

2) "Bubbling Universe and Solar Power"
Date: September 23 (Sat)
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Conference Hall, Art Tower Mito
Lecturer: Dr. Satoru Ikeuchi (professor of space physics at the Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University)

3. Kids' Program


1) "We Are Stardust - View of Today's Cosmology"
How was the universe born? Where are we from? The universe and art are described in simple terms, accompanied by the recitation of poems, and pipe organ music. Depending on the weather permits, astronomical observation may also be conducted using four telescopes with a 20-30cm diameter.
Date: August 9 (Wed)
Time: 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Workshop room, Contemporary Art Gallery, and other areas
Lecturer: Dr. Haruo Saji (professor at Miyagi University)
In cooperation with: Mito City Educational Research Center

2) Gallery Talk for Kids
Date: August 20 (Sun), September 17 (Sun)
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Contemporary Art Gallery, ATM
Lecturers: Staff member of the Contemporary Art Center, ATM

4. A proposal for the "General Studies" from the Contemporary Art Center, Art Tower Mito
"A Discussion on Education through Recent Cosmology"


Date: August 10 (Thu)
Lecturer: Haruo Saji (Dr. of Science, Prof. at Miyagi University; theoretical physics)
Supported by: Mito City Board of Education
In cooperation with: Mito City Educational Research Center