[4/6-22] Japanese culture dissemination project “JAPAN TIDE” will launch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Japan Promotion will launch the first comprehensive Japanese culture dissemination project “JAPAN TIDE” in the Middle East from 2017/4/6 (Thu) to 22 (Sat) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

JAPAN TIDE -Japanese Trends-

“JAPAN TIDE” is the first comprehensive Japanese culture dissemination project in the Middle East. It is scheduled to be held every spring with the aim of promoting the revitalization of continuous cultural exchange between the two countries, with a view to the 2020 Dubai Expo and Tokyo Olympics.
For Middle Eastern countries, which have achieved remarkable economic growth in a short period of time, scientific and cultural promotion has become an important issue. Under these circumstances, the interest of Middle Eastern people in Japanese art and traditional culture, which has been nurtured over a long history, is extremely high. In this project, we will hold exhibitions showcasing a variety of Japanese art, from traditional arts and crafts to contemporary art and tableware that makes use of Japan's aesthetic sense, and events introducing excellent Japanese cultural products.

JAPAN TIDE 2017 Program

1. JAPAN TIDE PRESENTATION

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

A gallery operated by Art Hub, the oldest cultural institution in the UAE. As a presentation to kick off the JAPAN TIDE project, a group exhibition of Japanese contemporary arts and crafts will be held and disseminated to local media, cultural stakeholders, and visitors.
At the opening ceremony on 4/6 (Thursday), you will enjoy a light meal and a dance and calligraphy performance. Also, on 7th (Friday) and 8th (Sat), workshops and lectures on Japanese history and traditional performing arts will be held.

2. WORLD ART DUBAI JAPAN ZONE

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

The largest Japan-specialty booth “JAPAN ZONE” in the fair will be held at WORLD ART DUBAI, which is representative of the Middle East, hosted by the World Trade Center Dubai, and a group of over 300 works will be introduced.
When exhibiting at “WORLD ART DUBAI” in 2016Members of the royal family visited our booth, and exchanges with multiple artists were realized, and a full article was published in the major newspaper Daily El Bayan, and it was evaluated as “the best exhibition.” There were also many people who first came into contact with Japanese culture and art in earnest at this time, and sales negotiations and business offers were actively received.
Starting in 2017, this exhibition at WORLD ART DUBAI will be part of the JAPAN TIDE project and will be operated as a Japan Pavilion. It is expected to attract more customers than last year due to the presentation event mentioned earlier and advertising/PR activities at local partner stores.

＞＞Click here for 2016 WORLD ART DUBAI results

3. JAPAN CULTURE ROOM

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

Japanese lifestyle products such as traditional crafts are exhibited and sold at “Kinokuniya Bookstore,” which has a huge store in the world's largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall. Now, in addition to kokeshi, which is popular as a Japanese pop icon, mizubiki art with a modern design of traditional crafts, Nanbu ironware perfect for healthcare needs, fashion products such as Japanese woven hijabs (cloth worn by Islamic women on their heads) and bags, and other attractive goods are lined up. There will also be tea ceremony demonstrations and hands-on calligraphy workshops that convey the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

4. SPECIAL COLLABORATION: ZUMA MEETS KARATSU WARE

Period: 2017/4/16 (Sun) -22 (Sat)
venue:Zuma

Even in the wealthy country of Dubai, celebrities from around the world gather at Japanese restaurants in particular”zuma”. On the luxurious seating floor just like a luxury hotel, creative dishes that are vivid to the eye are ordered one after another along with Japanese sake that costs 3,000 yen per cup, and I am amazed at how popular Japanese food is than expected.
The fourth newly added program is a special collaboration project between here zuma and Karatsu ware. For 1 week from 4/16 to 22, we will be offering an original menu that matches 15 types of Karatsu shochu ware and tableware to customers who have reserved a VIP room. Since the early modern period, Karatsu ware, has been baked by craftsmen in the eastern part of present-day Saga prefecture and the northern part of Nagasaki prefecture, and is called “Ichiraku 2 Hagi 3 Karatsu,” proposes a new state of gastronomy.

Many artists have traveled from Japan

This year, which is the first time JAPAN TIDE has been held, a total of 35 people, including selected artists and people involved in Japan Promotion, are scheduled to travel to Dubai. One of the main purposes is to gain inspiration from the living flow of the art market, which Japanese people have hardly experienced until now, and to have artists further enhance their global sensibility and pride in their national identity that can perform well in the world.
We will create meaningful cultural exchange opportunities for deepening mutual understanding between the Middle East and Japan through the dissemination of Japanese art and lifestyle amid a bustling atmosphere where many members of the press, art-related organizations, and members of the royal family and government and business leaders are expected to attend.

JAPAN TIDE 2017
‍2017/4/6 (Thu) -22 (Sat)
1. JAPAN TIDE PRESENTATION: 4/6 (Thu) -8 (Sun)
2. WORLD ART DUBAI JAPAN ZONE: 4/12 (Wed) -15 (Sat)
3. JAPAN CULTURE ROOM: 4/16 (Sun) -22 (Sat)
4. ZUMA MEETS KARATSU WARE: 2017/4/16 (Sun) -22 (Sat)
■Organizer: Japan Promotion Association
■Cooperation: Art Hab/Dubai World Trade Centre/Kinokuniya Bookstore/ZUMA

Contact information for inquiries about lending images of works, exhibiting artists, etc.
‍Japan Promotion Association
TEL. 03-5766-2450 (10:00-19:00)
E-mail: info@japanpromotion.org

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