Press Releases Announcing a Citywide Celebration of the Art of Jun Kaneko 09-09-2009 For Immediate Release:September 2, 2009 Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215.893.3600, x204galligher@operaphila.org Announcing a Citywide Celebration of theArt of Jun Kaneko Philadelphia, PA: In a groundbreaking collaboration this fall, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Locks Gallery, the City of Philadelphia and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts join together for the citywide project On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, celebrating the art of internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Jun Kaneko. Born out of the Opera Company’s October premiere of Madama Butterfly, which features Kaneko’s original set and costume designs, On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You brings 11 of Kaneko’s monumental, large-scale art objects and a professional gallery exhibit to four prime Center City Philadelphia venues in September and October, highlighting the civic momentum that enables world class art in our city each season. City of Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer, who directs the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, commented “The City is excited about this project that brings together an array of our great City cultural institutions. We are especially pleased that two of Jun Kaneko’s dramatic Heads will be installed in the courtyard of City Hall for all of our citizens to enjoy. This is a great example of how government, arts groups of different disciplines, our private creative economy businesses, and individual artists can all work together to make exciting things happen in our City.” Opera Company Executive Director David B. Devan shares, “We are constantly looking for new ways to extend opera’s reach beyond the walls of our theaters and into our community. The Locks Gallery laid the groundwork for this immense collaboration last season when its director, Sueyun Locks, championed a Kaneko gallery installation during our Fidelio. To have the cooperation and participation of so many of our colleagues this season provides an exciting bridge between the visual and performing arts communities and, hopefully, new points of entry for people who are ready to explore art in all of its forms.” The Opera Company of Philadelphia’s Madama Butterfly features innovative sets and costumes designed by Kaneko – using custom-made fabrics created right here at Philadelphia’s Fabric Workshop and Museum – and runs October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m at the Academy of Music. Simultaneously, Kaneko’s large-scale sculpture will be on display at the following venues: From September 8th through April 2010, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts four of the large-scale Kaneko pieces known as Dangos – the Japanese word for “rounded form,” referring to the shape of the pieces. Each Dango is nine feet high, three to four feet in diameter, and weighs nearly a ton. They are on extended display in the Perelman Building’s Skylit Galleria. From September 8th through October 24th, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts hosts five of the Dangos on Commonwealth Plaza during the height of season openings in this soaring public space. At the same time, Philadelphia’s City Hall Courtyard features two of Kaneko’s famously thrilling Untitled, Heads, standing at 10 and a half feet tall, crafted from bronze and steel, and showcasing Kaneko’s signature use of bold color and pattern. In 2008, Jun Kaneko was selected by the New York City Parks Public Art Program to place a series of Head sculptures along Park Avenue for six months; the pieces on exhibit in Philadelphia are making their public debut, having been completed for this installation. Philadelphia’s Locks Gallery on Washington Square presents Jun Kaneko: Intimate Relationships from September 22nd through October 31st, featuring a reception with the artist for First Friday on October 2 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This second exhibition at Locks Gallery features a series of intimate-scaled constructions from 1984–2006, and follows last year’s rooftop exhibit of his striking Dangos in tandem with the Opera Company’s Fidelio. Kaneko, born in Nagoya, Japan has pursued a dynamic and varied studio practice in painting, sculpture, ceramic and installation since studying in Los Angeles in the ‘60s and apprenticing with Peter Voulkos. The artist has shown extensively in the U.S. since 1964 and has had exhibits in Finland, Norway, Japan, South Korea and Canada. Currently based in Omaha, Nebraska, Jun Kaneko’s artwork appears in numerous international and national, solo and group exhibitions annually, and is included in more than 50 museum collections. Known for his commitment, energy and focus, Kaneko works fluently in diverse media and fields in the arts. Madama Butterfly, his first operatic stage and costume design, debuted at his home company of Opera Omaha in 2007. London’s Opera magazine called the production, “… a mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama….a splendidly integrated work of art.” In 2008, Opera Company of Philadelphia Artistic Director Robert B. Driver commissioned Kaneko to design an original new production for Beethoven’s Fidelio. The Philadelphia Inquirer raved of the new creation, “It was triumph. Critics don’t usually cheer. But I did.” More information about On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, including visiting hour access for all of Jun Kaneko’s art in Philadelphia, details on Madama Butterfly performances, and links to video and press on Jun Kaneko’s work may be found at www.operaphila.org/kaneko. Citywide art installations courtesy of Locks Gallery and the artist. For more information, call 215-629-1000 or info@locksgallery.com. Promotional assistance provided by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. Art location and hours: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Perelman Building www.philamuseum.orgFairmount & Pennsylvania AvenuesOpen Tuesday through Sunday, 10am – 5pmAdmission free for members/ Adults $8/ Seniors (65+) $7/ Students (with ID) $6 Philadelphia City Hall, Broad & Market Streets www.phila.gov/publicartCourtyard hours: 6am – 10pm ~ Free to the public Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad & Spruce Streets www.kimmelcenter.orgCommonwealth Plaza hours: 10am – 6pm; later on performance nights ~ Free to the public Locks Gallery, 600 Washington Square South www.locksgallery.comOpen Tuesday through Saturday, 10am – 6pm ~ Free to the public Opera Company of Philadelphia, Madama Butterfly www.operaphila.orgAcademy of Music, Broad & Locust Streets 215-893-1018October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m, 2009 Tickets $7 - $210 Institutional contacts: Opera Company of PhiladelphiaTracy Galligher215-893-3600, ext. 204 / galligher@operaphila.org Philadelphia Museum of ArtNorman Keyes 215-684-7862 / nkeyes@philamuseum.org Locks GalleryDoug Schaller215-629-1000 / dschaller@locksgallery.com Kimmel Center Dafni Comerota 215-790-5847/ ddcomerota@kimmelcenter.org City of PhiladelphiaMargot Berg 215-686-4596 / margot.berg@phila.gov Jun Kaneko StudioTroia Schonlau402-341-4523 / troia@junkaneko.com More information about On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You please visit www.operaphila.org/kaneko. -##-
Press Releases
For Immediate Release:September 2, 2009
Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215.893.3600, x204galligher@operaphila.org
Announcing a Citywide Celebration of theArt of Jun Kaneko
Philadelphia, PA: In a groundbreaking collaboration this fall, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Locks Gallery, the City of Philadelphia and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts join together for the citywide project On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, celebrating the art of internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Jun Kaneko. Born out of the Opera Company’s October premiere of Madama Butterfly, which features Kaneko’s original set and costume designs, On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You brings 11 of Kaneko’s monumental, large-scale art objects and a professional gallery exhibit to four prime Center City Philadelphia venues in September and October, highlighting the civic momentum that enables world class art in our city each season.
City of Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer, who directs the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, commented “The City is excited about this project that brings together an array of our great City cultural institutions. We are especially pleased that two of Jun Kaneko’s dramatic Heads will be installed in the courtyard of City Hall for all of our citizens to enjoy. This is a great example of how government, arts groups of different disciplines, our private creative economy businesses, and individual artists can all work together to make exciting things happen in our City.”
Opera Company Executive Director David B. Devan shares, “We are constantly looking for new ways to extend opera’s reach beyond the walls of our theaters and into our community. The Locks Gallery laid the groundwork for this immense collaboration last season when its director, Sueyun Locks, championed a Kaneko gallery installation during our Fidelio. To have the cooperation and participation of so many of our colleagues this season provides an exciting bridge between the visual and performing arts communities and, hopefully, new points of entry for people who are ready to explore art in all of its forms.”
The Opera Company of Philadelphia’s Madama Butterfly features innovative sets and costumes designed by Kaneko – using custom-made fabrics created right here at Philadelphia’s Fabric Workshop and Museum – and runs October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m at the Academy of Music. Simultaneously, Kaneko’s large-scale sculpture will be on display at the following venues:
From September 8th through April 2010, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts four of the large-scale Kaneko pieces known as Dangos – the Japanese word for “rounded form,” referring to the shape of the pieces. Each Dango is nine feet high, three to four feet in diameter, and weighs nearly a ton. They are on extended display in the Perelman Building’s Skylit Galleria.
From September 8th through October 24th, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts hosts five of the Dangos on Commonwealth Plaza during the height of season openings in this soaring public space. At the same time, Philadelphia’s City Hall Courtyard features two of Kaneko’s famously thrilling Untitled, Heads, standing at 10 and a half feet tall, crafted from bronze and steel, and showcasing Kaneko’s signature use of bold color and pattern. In 2008, Jun Kaneko was selected by the New York City Parks Public Art Program to place a series of Head sculptures along Park Avenue for six months; the pieces on exhibit in Philadelphia are making their public debut, having been completed for this installation.
Philadelphia’s Locks Gallery on Washington Square presents Jun Kaneko: Intimate Relationships from September 22nd through October 31st, featuring a reception with the artist for First Friday on October 2 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. This second exhibition at Locks Gallery features a series of intimate-scaled constructions from 1984–2006, and follows last year’s rooftop exhibit of his striking Dangos in tandem with the Opera Company’s Fidelio.
Kaneko, born in Nagoya, Japan has pursued a dynamic and varied studio practice in painting, sculpture, ceramic and installation since studying in Los Angeles in the ‘60s and apprenticing with Peter Voulkos. The artist has shown extensively in the U.S. since 1964 and has had exhibits in Finland, Norway, Japan, South Korea and Canada.
Currently based in Omaha, Nebraska, Jun Kaneko’s artwork appears in numerous international and national, solo and group exhibitions annually, and is included in more than 50 museum collections. Known for his commitment, energy and focus, Kaneko works fluently in diverse media and fields in the arts. Madama Butterfly, his first operatic stage and costume design, debuted at his home company of Opera Omaha in 2007. London’s Opera magazine called the production, “… a mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama….a splendidly integrated work of art.” In 2008, Opera Company of Philadelphia Artistic Director Robert B. Driver commissioned Kaneko to design an original new production for Beethoven’s Fidelio. The Philadelphia Inquirer raved of the new creation, “It was triumph. Critics don’t usually cheer. But I did.”
More information about On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, including visiting hour access for all of Jun Kaneko’s art in Philadelphia, details on Madama Butterfly performances, and links to video and press on Jun Kaneko’s work may be found at www.operaphila.org/kaneko.
Citywide art installations courtesy of Locks Gallery and the artist. For more information, call 215-629-1000 or info@locksgallery.com.
Promotional assistance provided by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Art location and hours:
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Perelman Building www.philamuseum.orgFairmount & Pennsylvania AvenuesOpen Tuesday through Sunday, 10am – 5pmAdmission free for members/ Adults $8/ Seniors (65+) $7/ Students (with ID) $6
Philadelphia City Hall, Broad & Market Streets www.phila.gov/publicartCourtyard hours: 6am – 10pm ~ Free to the public
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad & Spruce Streets www.kimmelcenter.orgCommonwealth Plaza hours: 10am – 6pm; later on performance nights ~ Free to the public
Locks Gallery, 600 Washington Square South www.locksgallery.comOpen Tuesday through Saturday, 10am – 6pm ~ Free to the public
Opera Company of Philadelphia, Madama Butterfly www.operaphila.orgAcademy of Music, Broad & Locust Streets 215-893-1018October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m, 2009 Tickets $7 - $210
Institutional contacts:
Opera Company of PhiladelphiaTracy Galligher215-893-3600, ext. 204 / galligher@operaphila.org
Philadelphia Museum of ArtNorman Keyes 215-684-7862 / nkeyes@philamuseum.org
Locks GalleryDoug Schaller215-629-1000 / dschaller@locksgallery.com
Kimmel Center Dafni Comerota 215-790-5847/ ddcomerota@kimmelcenter.org
City of PhiladelphiaMargot Berg 215-686-4596 / margot.berg@phila.gov
Jun Kaneko StudioTroia Schonlau402-341-4523 / troia@junkaneko.com
More information about On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You please visit www.operaphila.org/kaneko.
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