PAM — PARTY AT THE MUSEUM: Water in Asia Exhibition Edition
Purpose
Since its founding in 1961, Meiji Sangyo Co., Ltd. has operated from Fukuoka mainly in gas and energy, real estate, and infrastructure. As part of its work to support the cultural infrastructure of local communities and raise their energy, the company develops programs supporting local museums and their collections as cultural assets of the city.
From Sept. 1 (Fri.) to 3 (Sun.), PAM — PARTY AT THE MUSEUM closes the Water in Asia exhibition at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum with a party that offers the exhibition’s worldview not only through art appreciation but as a complete sensory experience of food, drink, music, talks, and more.
The inaugural edition features curator-led exhibition tours diving more deeply into Water in Asia; a talk by nonfiction writer Hideyuki Takano, whose new book Irak Suikoden explores Iraq’s vast marshlands; food from popular Fukuoka Asian food truck Banzai Shokudo; DJ sets and background music from Asian-music party Somtam Wan Ang Khaan; gamelan performance; tastings of Asian coffees from countries represented in the exhibition; and craft workshops.
Event Details
Title: PAM — PARTY AT THE MUSEUM: Water in Asia Exhibition Edition
Dates: Sept. 1 (Fri.)–Sept. 3 (Sun.), 2023
Venues: Art Cafe, Asia Gallery, and Ajibi Hall, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Admission: free; Water in Asia exhibition admission, food and drink, and certain events cost extra
The Sept. 2 talk with Hideyuki Takano costs ¥500 and requires advance registration; same-day participation closes when capacity is reached
Organizers: Water in Asia Exhibition Executive Committee, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum; Meiji Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Planning: Sanseisha
Operational cooperation: Click Coffee Works; Somtam Wan Ang Khaan
Event Information
Art
Water in Asia Exhibition Tours with Ajibi Curators
Dates and times: Sept. 1 (Fri.) at 5:00 p.m.; Sept. 2 (Sat.) at 12:30 and 5:00 p.m.; Sept. 3 (Sun.) at 2:00 p.m.
Admission: free; first come, first served; capacity 20 per session; about one hour
Curators responsible for the exhibition lead tours during the event. Dive another layer into the world of Water in Asia for an even richer viewing experience.
Talk
Talk and Signing with Nonfiction Writer Hideyuki Takano
Date: Sept. 2 (Sat.), from 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Ajibi Hall, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum 8F
Admission: ¥500; advance registration required; same-day participation closes when capacity is reached
When applying, provide your name, email address, mobile number, and number of participants.
Nonfiction writer Hideyuki Takano, who published the new book Irak Suikoden in July, joins for a talk and signing. His account of Iraq’s mysterious surviving vast wetlands, the Ahwar, offers a different perspective for exploring the world of Water in Asia.
Hideyuki Takano Profile
Born in Tokyo in 1966, Takano is a nonfiction writer. He began writing after producing Chasing the Phantom Beast Mokele-Mbembe while a member of the Waseda University Exploration Club. Guided by the principle “go where no one goes, do what no one does, and write books no one writes,” he publishes nonfiction and travel writing about remote regions of Asia and Africa, along with essays and fiction set in Tokyo. His Mysterious Independent Nation of Somaliland won the 35th Kodansha Non-Fiction Award and other honors. His latest work is Irak Suikoden.
Food
Water in Asia Catering from Asian Food Truck Banzai Shokudo
Dates: Sept. 2 (Sat.) and 3 (Sun.), from 11:00 a.m. until sold out
Popular Fukuoka Asian food truck Banzai Shokudo makes a special two-day appearance. Alongside authentic Asian food, it will sell local alcoholic drinks. Enjoy a delicious taste of Water in Asia.
Banzai Shokudo — Asia Street Food Profile
A mobile vendor of Thai and Malaysian cuisine. Since opening in 2018, it has gained popularity as a rare Fukuoka food truck offering authentic Asian cooking. It currently appears on alternating days in Momochi and Hakata.
Drinks
Water in Asia Comparative Asian Coffee Tasting from MUSEUM CAFE by IENA COFFEE
The Ajibi cafe MUSEUM CAFE by IENA COFFEE offers a special tasting product comparing coffees from Asian countries represented in Water in Asia. Experience the exhibition through flavor and aroma.
Music
1. Water in Asia DJ Sets and Background Music by Popular Fukuoka Party Somtam Wan Ang Khaan & Friends
Fukuoka-based Asian music party Somtam Wan Ang Khaan & Friends arrives at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum. Alongside background music selected for the Water in Asia theme, DJs perform each evening across the three days. Feel Water in Asia through your ears and body.
Somtam Wan Ang Khaan Profile
A Fukuoka DJ party devoted to gatherings around Thai and Asian music. It began with Thailand-loving members obsessed with som tam, green papaya salad and one of the three great soul foods of Thailand’s Isan region. Wan Ang Khaan means Tuesday in Thai, the day of its first event. Regular members are hassi, kiimao tong, yogi, ERROR, Colonel Shokudo, iroiro Yasuko, and Sandoron. Based at Kieth Flack since 2018, it has invited many guests from Japan and abroad. It continues evolving beyond Thailand’s borders as Kyushu’s unique multinational party for experiencing culture and movements from across Asia.
2. Water in Asia Gamelan Performance and Hands-On Session
Date: Sept. 3 (Sun.), from noon
Fukuoka-based Gamelan Team Go On performs and invites visitors to try playing. The resonant ensemble of Indonesia’s traditional metal percussion instruments evokes Asia’s timeless rivers and waterside landscapes.
Gamelan Team Go On Profile
A gamelan team formed by the Fukuoka-based social-welfare organization Ashita e Mukatte. Twenty people with disabilities currently participate. The team name layers several Japanese meanings and sounds together with the English “go on,” meaning to advance and continue.
Workshops
Craft Workshops and Kids’ Space
Workshops and a kids’ space let families with children enjoy the event throughout its run. Activities for a wide range of ages include imagining and making sea creatures from recycled plastic and creating eco-friendly paper lanterns, encouraging families to stay and enjoy the program.
Workshop content is subject to partial change.
Inquiries
Gohei Miyoshi, Sanseisha
Tel: 090-6420-1140
Email: miyoshi@3voice.jp
