Press Releases
Opening of the Australia House
TK10/2009
22 July 2009
The Australia House, part of this year's Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial in Niigata Prefecture, will open on 25 July. The Australia House is a renovated 100 year-old traditional Japanese farmhouse. Three Australian artists and a curator are staying in the house for the festival and are creating art installations in collaboration with the local Urata community. Once the Triennial is over, the House will become a base for Australian artists-in-residence. Mr Murray McLean, Australian Ambassador to Japan, said "Australia House presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Australian contemporary art. As a community-oriented project, it will also help to deepen grass-roots cooperation between Australia and Japan". Australia has enjoyed a deep connection with Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial and has collaborated with the festival since it was first held in 2000. This year marks the fourth Triennial, which will be held from 26 July to 13 September. The Australia House project is organised by the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial Executive Committee, in collaboration with the Embassy and other organizations such as the Australia-Japan Foundation and Asialink. The Australian Embassy will continue to contribute to and engage with the community by supporting the Australia House project. For more information about the Australia House, please see http://arts.australia.or.jp/echigo/en/ For further enquiries regarding the Australia House, please contact: Hitomi Toku, Cultural Officer Australian Embassy, Tokyo Tel: 03-5232-4024