"Rapt! 20 contemporary artists from Japan is an ambitious program of exhibitions, residencies and public events showcasing contemporary Japanese art in Australia. Developed by the Japan Foundation in the Australia-Japan Year of Exchange, it is based on cross-cultural research and discussions by Japanese curators, Shihoko Iida, Fumihiko Sumitomo and Yukihiro Hirayoshi, and an Australian curatorial advisory group led by Philip Brophy, Max Delany, Stuart Koop and Kathryn Hunyor. Rapt! is remarkable in its scope and commitment, becoming the largest collaborative arts project ever undertaken in Australia, involving twenty organisations developing different facets of the one project.
Rapt! presents a significant rethinking of the character of contemporary Japanese art and culture. Rather than conform to traditional stereotypes of Japan, Rapt! highlights new modes of communication which have developed over the past decade in Japan to enable direct connections between individuals and the rest of the world. The work of various contemporary artists suggests a new Japanese identity is emerging based on the renegotiation of traditional practices and influences..."
W: http://rapt.jpf-sydney.org/
