A big wave of Japanese culture is coming to the Middle East! JAPAN TIDE IN DUBAI 2017 EVENT REPORT

2017/4 As we enter a new season and news of cherry blossoms began to arrive from all over Japan, the first comprehensive Japanese culture dissemination project “JAPAN TIDE (Japan Tide)” in the Middle East handled by Japan Promotion began in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What is “JAPAN TIDE”?

JAPAN TIDE is the first comprehensive Japanese culture dissemination project in the Middle East aimed at revitalizing continuous cultural exchange between Japan and Dubai. It is scheduled to be held every spring with a view to the 2020 Dubai Expo and Tokyo Olympics.

In this project, we are developing 4 events with different concepts in order to introduce a wide range of attractive Japanese art, from traditional Japanese arts and crafts nurtured by a long history to contemporary art and tableware that makes use of Japan's aesthetic sense, set in Dubai in the Middle East, which has achieved remarkable economic growth in a short period of time.

→Click here for details on JAPAN TIDE

1. JAPAN TIDE PRESENTATION

On 4/6 (Thursday), the first event “JAPAN TIDE PRESENTATION,” which marks the beginning of JAPAN TIDE, started.

In this project, we will introduce carefully selected masterpieces of Japanese contemporary arts and crafts to local media, cultural stakeholders, and art fans in the form of a group exhibition. The living appeal of Japanese art culture, which is still unfamiliar in the Middle East, brought fresh surprise and excitement to visitors.

“D3,” a trendy area that is currently receiving a lot of attention from the art community

The venue was the Art Hub Dubai Gallery operated by Art Hub, the oldest cultural institution in the UAE. It is one of Dubai's leading galleries, receiving high praise from local art professionals for creating sophisticated spaces that enhance the appeal of each work on display.

The gallery is not only an art and design-related facility, but is also located within the Dubai Design District, commonly known as “D3 (D3),” which is known as a highly sensitive area where you can experience the latest Dubai culture, such as fashion and food.

The “D3” initiative, which was launched in 2013 under the direction of Emir Mohammed Dubai for the purpose of discovering and nurturing artists and designers active on the world stage from Dubai, is currently underway, and more facilities are scheduled to be completed in the same area from this spring onwards.

“D3,” which is full of fresh sensibility and energy that will drive the future of Dubai culture, will inevitably be increasingly bustling in the future. Further attention is expected to be drawn to the Art Hub Dubai Gallery, which presents various projects in the same area every day.

VIPs also attended the opening event

The opening ceremony, which was held on Thursday 6th, began brilliantly with a tape cut by guest Moroccan artist Lamia Menhal.

As a painter, Moroccan artist Lamia is active all over the world based in Dubai.
He says he was greatly inspired by the delicate expressive power unique to Japanese art.

Many cultural figures and people involved in art visited the venue, and they were seen enjoying light refreshments and fantastic dance performances with the theme of Japanese mythology in their own way.

The ceremony proceeded in a glamorous mood from beginning to end. Many comments were received from visitors who thoroughly confronted each and every one of the diverse Japanese arts and culture.

“JAPAN TIDE PRESENTATION” strongly promoted the appeal of Japanese contemporary arts and crafts to the Middle Eastern art market throughout the 3-day exhibition.

Period: 2017/4/6 (Thu) -8 (Sat)
venue:Art Hub Dubai Gallery

2. World Art Dubai ――JAPAN ZONE

From 4/12 (Wednesday) that follows, the art festival “World Art Dubai (World Art Dubai)” representing the Middle East will start. Japan Promotion held the Japan-specific booth “JAPAN ZONE,” which will be the largest in the event, and a group of over 300 works was introduced.

150 booths from all 30 countries, including “JAPAN ZONE,” will be exhibiting at the same event. It captivated visitors with its colourful, international art.

The Arab royal family visited again this year and had a dream contact with Japanese art

Continuing from last year, Sheik (UAE royalty) visited the venue on the first day and attracted a lot of attention. Seek, who appeared at the venue accompanied by a samurai warrior, stopped in front of the “JAPAN ZONE” area, and his eyes were dazzled by a number of carefully selected pieces of Japanese art.

While there was a sense of tension that stretched my back, it was also possible to exchange valuable opinions between SEEK and Japan Promotion Staff regarding the concept of each work and booth.

Also, Princess Latifah, the daughter of Dubai Chief Mohammed and the Deputy Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, also visited “JAPAN ZONE.”
They looked sharply at each piece of Japanese art, where precise techniques shine, and were seen carefully examining the entire booth while occasionally nodding small as if they were convinced.

“JAPAN NIGHT” will be held! Traditional Japanese culture vividly colors Dubai's night

On the evening of the same day, “JAPAN NIGHT” will be held in the lounge in the center of the venue to conclude the first day of the event. Visitors were captivated by the rich content where they could enjoy Japanese culture from various angles, such as workshops where they could experience traditional Japanese culture, gorgeous dance performances, and tastings of Japanese food that is popular overseas.

Enjoy the beauty of calligraphy with your heart

Above all, there was a flood of people who wanted to participate in the workshop where they could receive direct guidance from exhibiting artists. Many visitors were seen enjoying calligraphy, tea ceremony, origami, etc. in their own way while immersing themselves in the delicate and profound world view unique to Japan.

Coverage flooded in from major newspapers and local TV stations

“JAPAN ZONE,” which showed intense excitement throughout the 4-day exhibition, received a series of interviews from local media. A feature article on “JAPAN ZONE” was published in the culture section of the major newspaper company Daily El Bayan. Comments praising the diversity of Japanese culture, excellent craftsmanship, and the delicate and graceful sensibility common to Arab culture are posted along with photos of the booth.

In addition, several exhibiting artists were interviewed by various media such as CATV, Al Arbiya, BBC Arabic, Algad, MBC, Dubai One, Dubai EI OULA TV (above local TV station), Khaleej Times, and UAE Today (above local newspapers, WEB), etc., and enthusiastically talked about their feelings and future prospects for each work.

→Click here for the UAE Today introduction article

A big step leading to the next

Among this year's JAPAN ZONE exhibitors, there are also artists who were called upon by gallery owners in downtown Dubai in the wake of their recent exhibition and signed a consignment sales agreement.
The pure beauty of Japanese painting, which is depicted with breathtaking delicacy, has crossed national borders and attracted attention from people all over the world.

The one that has recently reached an agreement is located in Palm Jumeirah, a resort area representing DubaiPro Art Gallery.
It is one of Dubai's top galleries, with works by top artists representing the world, such as Dali, Chagall, Damian Hurst, David LaChapelle, Banksy, Shepherd Fairy, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama.

Also, on the occasion of this exhibition, it was decided that an original abaya (traditional Arab costume) will be co-created by the famous jewelry store Adnan Jewelry in Dubai and artists exhibiting at JAPAN ZONE, so it can be said that for Japanese artists who communicate themselves to the world, they still have grand dreams unfolding in the Middle Eastern art market.

Record strong sales over last year! It was also selected for an award!

Japan Zone recorded sales over a total of 4 days, which greatly exceeded last year's sales. We will deliver comments from visitors who were fascinated by the beauty and unique commitment unique to Japanese art and decided to buy it.

Also, JAPAN ZONE was selected as 3rd in the International Gallery category of the “World Art Dubai Awards,” which is comprehensively determined from a total of 150 exhibition booths based on the quality of the work, presentations, visitors' voices, and the evaluation of the secretariat, after Gallery K.A.G. (America) in 1st place and Signet Contemporary Art (UK) in 2nd place We have achieved such a great achievement.

Japan Promotion will focus on continuous promotion and strengthening sales capabilities for a further breakthrough next year and beyond, and will also disseminate the rich appeal unique to Japanese art from a more global perspective.

Period: 2017/4/12 (Wed) -15 (Sat)
venue:Dubai World Trade Centre

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3. Japan Culture Room

From the 16th (Sunday), which overcame the enthusiasm of World Art Dubai, the exhibition and sale of attractive Japanese lifestyle products based on traditional crafts and Japanese culture in the background, such as kokeshi, tea utensils, and tableware carefully selected by Japan Promotion, began at “Kinokuniya Bookstore,” which has a huge store in Dubai Mall known as the world's largest shopping mall. (until 22nd (Sun))

Traditional crafts, which have evolved along with the various histories of Japan, have been supported by the skills of advanced craftsmen in each region.
Traditional Japanese crafts, which are not only beautiful, but also have outstanding functionality, are currently receiving high praise worldwide, and it is said that there is also strong interest in elegant designs that fit into Japanese culture and lifestyle.

Through the introduction of carefully selected products, the Japan Culture Room conveys the appeal of realistic Japanese lifestyle and manufacturing culture that is still not very familiar overseas.

There is also the fact that it is being held at a popular store in the mall visited by people from all over Dubai as well as many tourists, and the venue is crowded with many people every day.

Period: 2017/4/16 (Sun) -22 (Sat)
venue:Kinokuniya Dubai Mall

4. Special Collaboration: Zuma Meets Karatsu Ware

Also, as a simultaneous event, the popular high-end Japanese restaurant “Zuma,” where many local celebrities gather every day, a dream collaboration project with Karatsu ware, a traditional craft from Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, will be carried out.

Zuma's original sake, which has always been highly popular at the same store, is served in a delicious Karatsu-yaki Inoguchi, attracting local gourmets.

Japanese sake is said to have been served in wine glasses at the same store until now.
The texture of the soil = “earthy flavor” and by drinking it using the impressive K