Media Release

Afternote: In the Shade of Cinema

Exhibition

The Japan Foundation, Sydney is proud to announce Afternote: In the Shade of Cinema, an upcoming exhibition focusing on the history of movie theatres in the provincial city of Yamaguchi, Japan. Curated by Yu Iseki (Curator of the Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito), this exhibition includes records and materials related to the city’s cinemas, along with the latest work by Nobuhiro Shimura, a contemporary Japanese artist who produces video installations exploring themes of memory and placeness.

In recent years, Shimura has been undertaking projects focusing on social issues and histories that are difficult to visualise from a local perspective, based on his fieldwork in the area. He also produces films from a folkloristic point of view, adopting documentary techniques to explore themes including our everchanging ecological history and the livestock industry, which concerns our everyday lives.

This exhibition presents Shimura’s most recent work also titled Afternote, which narrates the background of movie theatres in a regional area of Japan. Commissioned by YCAM, the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media, this 79-minute documentary directed by Shimura himself traces back the history of the movie “theatre” itself, which have since vanished from the city of Yamaguchi. By unearthing the memories of local residents and what the cinema meant to them, Afternote reminisces on the days when movie theatres were considered the cultural centre, a part of daily life and the cityscape.

Afternote: In the Shade of Cinema will be on display at The Japan Foundation Gallery from September 13, 2024 to March 1, 2025.

Artist Nobuhiro Shimura and curator Yu Iseki will be in attendance at the exhibition’s opening reception on September 13.

An event program accompanying the exhibition will be announced at a later date.

Afternote: In the Shade of Cinema

September 13, 2024 – March 1, 2025

Discover the history behind a movie theatre in regional Japan through this exhibition, which features related records, materials and a documentary film by contemporary Japanese artist Nobuhiro Shimura.

Held at The Japan Foundation Gallery.

EXHIBITION

OPENING RECEPTION

September 13, 2024
6-8pm
Opening address at 6:30pm

Join us on September 13 (Friday) for the opening of Afternote: In the Shade of Cinema. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney. No bookings required.

Nobuhiro Shimura, Afternote, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTES

• Images on this webpage can be used for editorial purposes, and must not be cropped or edited. The following credit line must be included: Nobuhiro Shimura, Afternote, 2024 
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