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JAGS was started in 2002 by Paula Black, a Matsue City ALT from Australia. She saw the amount of talent that existed within the foreign community and decided to give them an outlet to express themselves.
| How long have you een involved with
JAGS? |
This is my second year as President of the JAGS committee. For some reason I jumped right in the deep end as a first year ALT.
| What was the original purpose of JAGS and how has that changed? |
I think the original purpose was to give the
foreigners in Shimane a chance to express how
living and working in Japan has changed their
views and opinions of not only Japan, but
also themselves. I'm not sure that purpose
has changed too much, but the exhibition
has certainly expanded to include not just
JETs (Japan Exchange and Teaching
Programme), but also University students
and language instructors from other private
schools, as well as any other foreigners
living in Shimane. That is an important change I think, the push to get the wider
foreigner community involved.
| What sorts of artists have been displayed at the Changing Perspectives Exhibition? |
We have had all kinds of artists − people who don't think they're artists, but had something visual they wanted to say, and professional artists who have spent years perfecting their craft. I really want to emphasize that you don't need to be an artist to exhibit. We like all types of creativity. Last year we had photos, paintings, lamps, a kimono, pottery, textiles and drawings. The only limit is your imagination!
| How many people attended last year's exhibition? |
In 2005 the exhibition was held at the Shimane Art Museum, so we had a lot of people come through and visit. It was about 1200 at the end of 5 days − it was so good! After the Hamada part of the exhibition we got up to around 1640!
| How is the Changing Perspectives exhibition organized? |
JAGS is run entirely on volunteer time by foreigners in Shimane. It takes about 6 months to organize from the new intake of JET's to the actual exhibition. In the last month or so leading up to the exhibition it's a craze of translations and art collection.
How is Changing Perspectives funded?
What fundraising events have you done, and what kind of events are you looking to have in the future? |
In the past the exhibition has been financially supported by the Shimane International Centre and the Matsue International Community Centre, as well as by our own fundraising efforts.Unfortunately this year we are no longer eligible to apply for these funds, so we are relying solely on fundraising. We are hoping to have a stall at the Okuizumo Vineyards annual Wine Festival.Our most exciting event is the 80's party on April 22nd. It will be held after the San In Film Project's Dance Workshops and it will be a chance for everyone to dress up as their favorite 80's icon and dance the night away!
| How is this year's exhibition different from previous ones? |
There are a few differences this year to last year.Last year we held the exhibition at Gallery One of the Shimane Art Museum, and this year we are at Karakoro Gallery. It will be our second year at Hamada Children's Museum, and due to demand, we would like to organize some activities with the children. We are also trying to move the exhibition away from a JET focus and get more of Shimane's foreign community involved.
| What made you want to get involved in the Changing Perspectives exhibition? |
While I was at University I took a year off to do an Arts Administration Traineeship. My placement was at a Community Centre with theatres and a gallery, and although we didn't have a theatre group, we had a gallery with monthly changing exhibitions. This gallery was my responsibility and I developed a love of visual arts. I worked with artists with disabilities, Vietnam Veterans, school students, refugees, housewives and mothers. It wasn't anything high end, just people who did art in their spare room, but still had something to say. I kept working in galleries until I finished University. When I got to Japan the Changing Perspectives exhibition was a great opportunity to continue my interest. I really like seeing how people express themselves through the visual arts, and how people who come to view the exhibition react to that.
| What is so special about the Changing Perspectives exhibition? |
The special thing about the exhibition is the chance it gives the foreign community to show how they are feeling about living in Shimane. We often have the conversation with our co workers or friends about how we find living in Japan, but the exhibition gives those who view it a different perspective on our lives here, our lives before and what we think and feel. It sounds a bit strange to think that a picture hanging on a wall can do that, but you would be surprised by the reaction the art work gets. The Japanese people who come to see the exhibition love ideas and views that are presented because the art has almost no language barriers.
| What do you see the exhibitions role to be? |
Ultimately the exhibition is an educational and cultural tool to help the Japanese community understand us a little better.
| What is the hardest part of putting this together? |
Losing focus − I do it all the time. I forget what I should be doing, and when I should be doing it. I loose track of time and forget when things are meant to be done. It is also difficult to get others as enthusiastic as I am about the exhibition. I have these ‘visions’ of how I want things to be, and sometimes they just don't happen. In short, frustration is the hardest part of putting the exhibition together. Frustration that I can't speak Japanese, frustration that I need someone else to do it for me, frustration that I can't find that person, frustration that there aren't more hours in the day and that I don't have more arms and heads.
| What is causing you the most stress? |
This year's stress is coming from the fear that I don't have enough translators. We really, really need people who can translate Japanese either on paper or vocally. It is so important, and at the moment I only have one volunteer. We need people to talk to the gallery, translate artist profiles and other documents. It isn't anything fun, but we would appreciate any help we can get! Please, if you would like to help, send me an email. You don't have to be a foreigner!
Yes! I know that the frustration is a means to an end. I know that seeing the exhibition hanging will be a great feeling.
| Are things going as you expected? |
Things never go as expected − I think that's the rule, but we just keeping on doing our thing and know that it will all work out in the end.
| Anything else you'd like to add? |
Yes, we will be looking for artwork for the exhibition. If you are a foreigner living, working or studying in Shimane, we want you to put your artistic hat on and create something for the exhibition. Please send me an email so I can give you more details!
The exhibition will be held from the June 16th to the 25th at Karakoro Art Gallery, and June 28th to July 9th at the Hamada Children's Museum. Keep your eyes out for our poster!
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