Media Release

continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia

Exhibition

Discover the boundless possibilities of the animation medium in The Japan Foundation, Sydney’s upcoming exhibition continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia. Featuring 15 vibrant and subtly subversive works of contemporary animation from independent filmmakers in Japan and Australia, this exhibition diverges from mainstream animation, offering viewers an insight into the unique forms of storytelling from each country. The exhibition will be held at The Japan Foundation Sydney, Gallery from February 18, 2022 to July 2, 2022.

Curated by Deborah Szapiro (University of Technology Sydney) and Honami Yano (Nagoya University), continuum features recent video works from award-winning filmmakers including Kōji Yamamura and Jilli Rose, as well as animation studio PAW Media and social enterprise Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Presented alongside the collection of films are 3D objects, sketches and other media that document the laborious and intricate processes of animation production.

Through the works featured in this exhibition, attendees will be able to explore the continuum of human connections, through untold and underrepresented narratives.

An event program featuring film screenings, workshops, talks and a catalogue launch will run in conjunction with the exhibition. Details TBA.

Header image: Nicholas Tory in collaboration with Aunty Dot Martin and Phill Sullivan, Lifeblood, 2020

EXHIBITION

CONTINUUM: INDEPENDENT ANIMATION FROM JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA

February 18, 2022 – July 2, 2022

Discover the boundless possibilities of independent animation in this exhibition, which celebrates 15 vibrant and subtly subversive works of contemporary independent animation from filmmakers across Australia and Japan.

Held at The Japan Foundation Gallery.

EXHIBITION

OPENING RECEPTION

February 18, 2022
6-8pm
Opening address at 6:30pm

Join us on February 18 (Friday) for the opening of continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia.

Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

CONTINUUM EVENT SERIES

March 12 – July 2, 2022

PAPER-CUT ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

May 21 & 28, 2022 | 10am-3pm
Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

Design and create your own animation sequences using paper cutting and stop-motion techniques in this workshop with animators Connor Xia and Dawn Lam. Held as part of the continuum event series, these workshops will allow participants to explore the process of papercut animation by designing and producing their own animation sequence related to the theme of continuum (adults workshop) and animal puppets (kids workshop).

The workshop on Saturday, May 21 is suitable for ages 15 and over
The workshop on Saturday, May 28 is suitable for ages 8-14

CONSULTATION & COMMUNITY: THE MAKING OF COOKED WITH JAKE DUCZYNSKI TALK EVENT

March 31, 2022 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

In this special talk event, director and co-writer of Cooked, Jake Duczynski will discuss the making of the five-part political comedy series and how meaningful consultation and collaboration with community was paramount to writing and designing the series. This in-person talk event will also be livestreamed on the JPF Sydney Facebook page.

CONTINUUM ANIMATION SHORTS

April 13 & June 22, 2022 | 6:30pm-8:15pm
Held at Palace Central

From April to June, enjoy the full programme of short animations from the continuum exhibition as they were intended to be viewed! Screening at Palace Central as part of the continuum Event Series.

STRATA-CUT ANIMATION WORKSHOP

April 30 & May 1, 2022 | 10am-3pm
Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

Design and create your own strata-cut animation in a step-by-step workshop with animator, designer, and director Steffie Yee. In this experimental workshop, participants will explore the foundations of different kinds of pattern making using the strata-cut clay animation technique, as seen in Yee’s animation featured in the continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia exhibition.

The workshop on April 30 (Saturday) is suitable for ages 15 and over
The workshop on May 1 (Sunday) is suitable for ages 8-14

CATALOGUE LAUNCH AND TALK WITH DEBORAH SZAPIRO

July 2, 2022 | 3:30pm-4:30pm
Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

To celebrate the launch of the continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia catalogue, curator, academic and animation filmmaker, Deborah Szapiro will discuss the role of independent animation in amplifying original Australian voices and cultural expression. In particular, she will look at how its quietly subversive emphasis on culture and lived experience often contests previous narratives about our relationship to nature, history and each other.

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF ANIMATION WITH DR MASAFUMI MONDEN

May 26, 2022 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Held at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

In this talk, Dr Masafumi Monden will discuss the universal language of animation and the exhibition, continuum: Independent animation from Japan and Australia. His talk is framed through an understanding of animation as an intersection of human perception, cultural and social movements that communicate via a visual, auditory, and sensory experience.

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