Australia now Monthly – October 2018

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With less than one month to go, the pace of Australia now activities shows no sign of slowing. In fact, quite the opposite! Science circuses, contemporary dance, surf art, hydrogen seminars, education fairs, biotech summits, installation art and rugby tours: the past month has truly covered the field.

Such variety, however, only reflects the volume of exchanges happening every day between our two countries. Through the Embassy, we have the pleasure of witnessing some of these exchanges, but much of it happens completely independently – as it should!

The launch of the Jörg Schmeisser retrospective this month was a good example of how one artist can create a bridge between our countries with humility and dedication over many decades. Jörg’s travels from his adopted Canberra to his beloved Japan were very much part of the tapestry to his extraordinary works.

Looking ahead, we have new links to look forward to, highlighted by the visit last month by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO. Dr Finkel’s visit was a timely exploration of how hydrogen can address our common energy and environmental challenges.

The final few weeks of Australia now will be just as diverse: fintech seminars, book talks, inclusive theatre, research symposiums, science diplomacy, glass exhibitions, and the fitting finale: Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Please take the chance to get involved and celebrate our past and future connections.

Bassim Blazey

Ambassador Richard Court AC and Mrs Jo Court OAM meet Wallabies mascot, Wally, during One Year to Go celebrations for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Sapporo on 21 September

Photo credit: Australian Rugby Foundation

Australia has maintained a diplomatic presence in Tokyo since 1947, Osaka since 1965, and Fukuoka and Sapporo since 1992.

15 Sept-18 Nov: Jörg Schmeisser Retrospective: Neverending Journeys

9-11 Oct:  56th Annual Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference

11-21 Oct: Heather B. Swann: I let my body fall into a rhythm

12 Oct-11 Nov: Science Circus Tour Japan 2018

20-29 Oct: Back to Back Theatre: small metal objects

23 Oct: Australia Japan Innovation and Research Symposium

25-26 Oct: Australian Fintech Showcase at Fintech Japan 2018

26 Oct-4 Nov: Touring of the Hindmarsh Prize 2018 exhibition to Toyama, Japan

27 Oct: All Blacks vs Wallabies: Bledisloe Cup

1-2 Nov: Masterpieces of Australian Contemporary Literature series ‐ This House of Grief Book Launch

2-5 Nov: Australia-Japan: Science & technology diplomacy and public policy

9-10 Nov: Bangarra Dance Theatre: Spirit 2018 / I.B.I.S

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, visited the Embassy on 27 September to present his vision for “Australia’s Hydrogen Future” as part of Australia now.

Speaking to an audience of over 70 representatives from business, academia and government, Dr Finkel explained how hydrogen had the potential to become Australia’s next multibillion-dollar export opportunity. Dr Finkel was joined by CSIRO’s Dr Patrick Hartley, Acting Director, Hydrogen Energy Systems Future Science Platform, who outlined opportunities for Australia-Japan research on a clean energy future.

In April, the Australian, Victorian and Japanese governments announced co-funding for a pilot project to convert Victorian brown coal into liquefied hydrogen for export to Japan. Supported by a consortium of companies led by Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the initiative will establish the world’s first Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project.

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, talks about Australia’s and Japan’s shared hydrogen future during an Australia now seminar at the Embassy on 27 September

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Over 150 art lovers gathered for the opening of the Jörg Schmeisser Retrospective: Neverending Journeys exhibition at the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts on 15 September as part of Australia now.

This is the first full-scale retrospective exhibition since master printmaker Jörg Schmeisser’s passing in 2012, featuring over 180 exquisite pieces inspired by his half-century travelling the globe.

Chargé d’affaires Bassim Blazey was present to hear Japanese artist Keiko Schmeisser detail her husband’s achievements as an artist and ‘born traveller’. Ms Schmeisser reminded audiences of the deep connection the printmaker held with both Australia and Japan, where he studied over many years.

The exhibition is open until 18 November as part of Australia now, with support by the Australia-Japan Foundation. For a more detailed understanding, head along to Kobe University Professor Sachiko Kubota’s gallery talk on “Australia, Arnhem Land” on Sunday 4 November.

Chargé d’affaires Bassim Blazey with Keiko Schmeisser at the opening of the Jörg Schmeisser Retrospective: Neverending Journeys exhibition on 15 September

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Australia and Australian life science capabilities featured prominently at Asia’s largest biotech gathering, BioJapan 2018, attended by over 15,000 industry and research experts from 10-12 October.

As part of Australia now, Austrade coordinated a delegation of leading Australian biotech-related organisations able to speak to Australia’s high quality medical research infrastructure.

Visitors had the opportunity to hear directly from delegates during a well-attended seminar at Pacifico Yokohama on “Australian Life Sciences – Engaging with the World”.

Around 100 guests gathered to hear Mr Silvio Tiziani, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Dr Dominic Wall, Cell Therapies Pty Ltd, and Ms Jane Kelly, CMAX Clinical Research Pty Ltd talk about regenerative medicine, cellular therapy delivery to patients and Australia’s pre-eminence as a partner for clinical trials.

This is the largest presence Australia has had at BioJapan for many years, as Australian and Japanese life sciences and medical research communities accelerate their collaboration.

Australian biotech delegates and David Lawson, Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul-General in Osaka, chat with industry and business visitors to the Australia now booth at BioJapan 2018

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon, has returned to Japan for a five-week tour of its very popular, highly informative Science Circus through western Japan as part of Australia now.

The tour is being held as part of Questacon’s 30^th anniversary celebrations, acknowledging Japan’s profound contribution to Questacon’s establishment in 1988.

The Science Circus will stay in Osaka until 21 October before moving on to entertain children and adults alike in Nara, Nagoya and Kochi. Collaborating with Japanese science communicators, Questacon representatives will present engaging science shows to local schools and run free public exhibitions for families.

The tour is run in collaboration with the Osaka Science Museum, the Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University and supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation and the Australian Capital Territory Government.

Australian and Japanese presenters practice together ahead of the five-week 2018 Science Circus Tour of Japan as part of Australia now

Photo credit: Questacon

Classic Wallabies Justin Harrison, Morgan Turinui and Mark Gerrard joined Wallabies mascot, Wally, in bringing rugby fever to Sapporo ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2019.

Ambassador Court and Sapporo Trade Commissioner and Consul Ron Green were present to see the Classics players help Sapporo celebrate one year to go until Australia takes on Fiji in Hokkaido on 21 September 2019.

Wally and the players also visited local schools affected by the 6 September Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake, putting smiles back on to young faces and inspiring excitement in next year’s Cup.

In Sapporo, Ambassador Court expressed his condolences to Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto and to victims of the 6 September earthquake. He was glad to see restoration works progressing quickly and expressed his confidence in Sapporo’s 2019 rugby hosting role.

Rugby was also the common language during a coaching clinic hosted by the Australian Capital Territory’s Brumbies Rugby for girls and boys from the Minato Rugby School on 9 October. Brumbies coaches Samantha Maxwell and Dale Bertram put the children through their paces as part of their Australia-Japan Foundation rugby development grant.

Wallabies mascot, Wally, with Classic Wallabies and children from Sapporo Municipal Azumabashi Primary School during a rugby visit on 21 September

Photo credit: Australian Rugby Foundation

Around 1,000 eager students, parents and supporters visited Tokyo’s Sola City on 6 October to learn more about making their study in Australia dream a reality.

Representatives from some 50 Australian universities, vocational schools and other institutions were present to provide advice at Austrade’s Australian Future Unlimited Education Exhibition (AFUEE), the largest Australian education gathering in Japan each year.

This year saw the first AFUEE to be held in Osaka, on 8 October, as reported by Japan’s national broadcaster, NHK. Over 400 students and 41 institutions participated in this successful inaugural AFUEE.

Feedback from exhibitors indicates that Japanese students’ demands are shifting away from short-term English language study abroad to obtaining qualifications from an Australian university or vocational education and training institute.

Australia is the second-most popular destination after the United States (Japanese link) for Japanese students studying abroad.

Prospective students speak to university representatives at Austrade’s Study in Australia Fair in Tokyo on 6 October, proudly featured in Australia now

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Audiences were moved by Mature Artists Dance Experience’s masterful performance of “The Frock” on 28-30 September at the inaugural World Gold Theatre festival, hosted by Saitama Arts Theater.

Renowned Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy AO created the work for the acclaimed Tasmanian group, which features dancers in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

Japanese dance magazine, dance edition, featured an interview with Graeme Murphy about “The Frock” and the Japan tour, proudly featured in Australia now and supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation.

Dance lovers enjoyed another treat with the Japan debut of Lucy Guerin Inc’s work “Split” at the Dance New Air Tokyo festival on 3‑4 October. Featuring Australian dancers Melanie Lane and Lilian Steiner, the performance received an enthusiastic response at Tokyo’s Spiral Hall. The performance was supported by Creative Victoria and featured in Australia now.

Australia now Program Manager Ms Yuki Miyahiro (far left) and Minister-Counsellor Martin Walker (far right) meet MADE dancers following their performance of “The Frock” at Saitama Arts Theater on 28 September

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Surf and skate-art community project, Little Penguin Cup, saw a wave of interactive and creative events take place at venues across eastern Japan from 3-29 September as part of Australia now.

Supported by Creative Victoria and run by Australian surf artist Henry Jock Walker, Little Penguin Cup encouraged participants to get their creative juices flowing by using surfing as a creative catalyst.

The busy schedule included an exhibition at Tokyo’s Anagra gallery, taking up residence at Chiba’s Y&R Café, kindergarten visits, as well as hands-on workshops and activities including mural painting, screen printing, costumed skateboarding, skate ramp painting, ‘tarpsurfing’ and more!

 

Surf-artist Henry Jock Walker with participants at an interactive workshop at Y&R Café, Chiba as part of Little Penguin Cup

Photo credit: Henry Jock Walker

Excitement is brewing for Bangarra Dance Theatre’s upcoming performances at Saitama Arts Theater on the 9‑10 November, as a fitting conclusion to Australia now. Bangarra returns to Japan to present “I.B.I.S” and “Spirit 2018”, exploring the full breadth of Australia’s proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait traditions.

The performances, supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation, will showcase the best of Bangarra’s 30-year repertoire in a powerful celebration of culture. It’s sure to be an unforgettable dance experience!

Keep up to date with the tour through the official Japan tour website, Twitter profile and Facebook event.

Bangarra dancers, Waangenga Blanco, Yolanda Lowatta and Tara Gower, perform I.B.I.S Lore, set to wow audiences in Saitama on 9 November

Photo credit: Jeff Tan

Renowned contemporary Australian artist, Heather B. Swann opened her new exhibition, I let my body fall into a rhythm, at Tokyo’s BUoY Art Centre on 11 October as part of Australia now.

The exhibition is the culmination of twelve-month’s work exploring the nexus between inanimate objects and physical and skilled labour. Guests were intrigued by her interactive sculptures, presented in a former public bath house-turned gallery.

On until 21 October, don’t miss this unique exhibition, presented in partnership with The Ian Potter Museum of Art, Asialink Arts, The University of Melbourne, Australia Council for the Arts and the Australia-Japan Foundation.

Daisuke Harada, independent curator/writer ; Michael Bugelli, gallerist and curator; Hitomi Toku, Public Diplomacy Director, Australian Embassy; Dr Deborah Hart, Head of Australian Art, National Gallery of Australia; Kako Kishimoto, Artistic Director, BUoY; and Martin Walker, Minister-Counsellor, Australian Embassy

Photo credit: Australian Embassy Tokyo

Australian novelist – Helen Garner’s critically acclaimed work, This House of Grief’s Book Launch event will take place in Daikanyama, Tokyo on 1 November as part of Australia now. This will be the first non-fiction novel in the Masterpieces of Australian Contemporary Literature series.

Ms Garner will speak about This House of Grief, covering the trial of a man accused of murdering his three children in Victoria, Australia. Ms Kyoko Nakajima, a Japanese award-winning writer, will join Ms Garner for an on-stage discussion about the book from Australian and Japanese perspectives.

Translated by Professor Megumi Kato from Meisei University and supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation, This House of Grief will be released in Japanese in November.

Leading Australian author Helen Garner will visit Tokyo for the launch of the Japanese translation of This House of Grief as part of Australia now

Photo credit: Nicolas Purcell