NEOSYDNEY + NEOTOKYO

Based on the emergence of the pop street photography scene, NEOSYDNEY + NEOTOKYO is an exhibition featuring juxtaposed photos of Tokyo and Sydney as a narrative of the life and heart of the two cities. Despite polar differences in their cultures, Sydney has become a growing hub of japanese-influenced culture, and the love for Sydney by Tokions is reflected by the presence of shopfronts such as the Galleria in Circular Quay, Kinokuniya in Sydney and the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Sussex street, formerly known as the Nikko Hotel.

This project will feature street photography in the form of illuminated light boxes, mounted to walls in a dark exhibition space to give the feel of night. There will be 20 light boxes featuring juxtaposed photography and one neon sign for the title. The bright neon lights of Tokyo is the inspiration for this exhibition along with the likes of Hiromix.

By juxtaposing intimate scenes of two cities within one frame, NEOSYDNEY + NEOTOKYO creates a cultural blend that enable audiences to view subtle similarities between the Sydney and Tokyo street scenes. Despite the inherent contrast between the cultures, there are many elements that can be associated; and these associations are the beginning of a much-anticipated marriage of art and cultural exchange between Sydney and Tokyo.

fascinate: to capture the interest or hold the attention of.
facet: one of the polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.

The Japan FoundationSydney is proud to launch its latest exhibition, Facetnate! following a grant program opened last year to support emerging visual artists whose work is strongly influenced by Japan. Facetnate! will feature six emerging artists from different backgrounds using different artistic media (toy, film, photography, installation and architecture) to express cultural exchange between Australia and Japan. Facetnate! provides an opportunity for these undiscovered gems to shine, as these new visual artists reveal to us the many different faces Japan has to offer.