Remarks of Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, Consul-General of Japan At the Launch of “Speed of Life” Photography Book Mossgreen Gallery, 30 August 2012
Mr Masayoshi Sukita, who has come all the way from Japan,
Mr Paul Sumner, Managing Director of Mossgreen,
Mr David Hedley, Owner and Manager of Hedley’s Booksellers,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening to you all.
It is my great pleasure, as the Consul-General of Japan, to say a few words on the occasion of the launch of the “Speed of Life Bowie” photography book by Mr Masayoshi Sukita.
As you may be aware, earlier this month Melbourne was declared to be the world’s most liveable city for the second year in a row by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
In this connection, I repeatedly said on various occasions and I am going to say this now again that perhaps the activities of Japanese companies with their Australian partners and cultural programs organized by Japanese residents with the participation of Australians here are also contributing to this liveability, that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
Today I would like to add an additional aspect.
The international collaboration involving a British star, a Japanese photo artist and Australian entrepreneurs taking place here endorses the value of this world’s most liveable city in the art field. David Bowie is an art. Mr Sukita is an art. And this book is an art.
Thus I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to all the people who have worked to bring this event together: Mossgreen, Hedley’s Booksellers, Genesis Books, and Mr Masayoshi Sukita.
Having said these, It is now my honour and pleasure to declare this exhibition open.
Thank you.