Pick of the week: ON ZA LINE's The Garden as Science Fiction Vol. 2

Tokyo-based ceramic design duo ON ZA LINE have revisited their fabulous vision of the future in a new exhibition, The Garden as Science Fiction Vol. 2, on this week at Rocket gallery in Harajuku.

Staying with the botanical theme adopted for their collection of the same name launched in October last year, the two have once again employed their prodigious talents and creativity to produce pieces of exquisite delicacy and beauty, with the pairs' characteristic sense of playfulness and fun providing an overall frame for the show.

This time they have teamed up with photographer Sebastian Mayer, who's stunning prints both bring the pieces and the gallery space to life, as well as amply seeding the imagination of the viewer.

But you'll have to be quick to catch it -- the show ends Tuesday, December 15. Click here for a map to Rocket.

text tokyo attended the opening on Friday night. Here's a few pics.

Applications sought for the Kamiyama Artist-in-Residence Program 2010

The Kamiyama Artist-in-Residence Program, began in 1999 by local NPO Green Valley, is calling for applications for 2010. Located in Tokushima prefecture on the island of Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands that make up Japan, Kamiyama (meaning "God's mountain") is certainly off the beaten track, but if it's peace and quiet you're looking for, you'd be coming to the right place.

Surrounded by mountains, the township has a long historical association with artistic practice. In it's glory days it was apparently a hotbed for puppet-making and even boasts an old theater that has been renovated and turned into a studio/exhibition space for participating artists. The people that run the program are all local volunteers and they are very keen to be of assistance.

Residencies are available for the period between August 17 and November 9, 2010, and the March 1, 2010 deadline for applications is still a comfortable several months away. 

Applications are sought from artists working in "painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, land art or other art making" and must, among other things, be able to communicate in either English or Japanese.

Both domestic and international travel expenses to and from Osaka Airport and Kamiyama are covered, and artists will be provided with a studio, accommodation, a materials allowance of up to 300,000 yen (about US$3,400) and a living allowance of 100,000 yen (around US$1,100) for the period. (Not to mention use of a car, motorbike or bicycle. Have they thought of everything or what?)

Apart from making work, the selected artists will be expected to give presentations and otherwise engage with the local community and provide a report at the end of their stay.

All the details and application guidelines and forms are right here.

This seems like a pretty good deal, but only three artists will be selected, so you better have a kick-ass application.

Oh and by the way, the studios and accommodations are available for rent when not in use during the program.

Curatorial workshop with Vasif Kortun at TWS

TWS Aoyama: Creator-in-Residence is hosting a four-part curatorial workshop by Turkish curator Vasif Kortun. Over the last decade or so, among other things, Kortun has been appointed head or co-curator of a number of international biennales, including Istanbul, Sao Paulo and Taipei.

Kortun will present a two-day workshop in four sessions on the weekend of December 19 - 20, starting at 10.30 am and finishing at 4.00 pm. The 5000 yen fee includes admission to the talk Kortun will give on the Friday night before.

Details on how to apply here:

http://www.tokyo-ws.org/english/archive/2009/11/on-the-agenda-of-the-arts.shtml

Interview with Kortun by Fillip:

http://fillip.ca/content/vasif-kortun-istanbul-qua-istanbul