29 September 2008

'In the Footsteps of Isabella Bird: Adventures in Twin Time Travel' - new exhibition

Photo opportunity: Japanese Consul-General opens news exhibition
5pm, Wednesday October 1st
Lamb Gallery, University of Dundee Tower Building

On Wednesday 1 October the Japanese Consul General Kenichi Suganuma will open a fascinating new photographic exhibition at the University of Dundee.

As part of the Japan-UK 150 celebrations, the University’s Museum Services has mounted an exhibition of photographs by Kiyonori Kanasaka, a geography professor from Kyoto University who was a visiting professor in Dundee last year. Prof Kanasaka has travelled the world following in the footsteps of the daring Victorian lady traveller and writer Isabella Bird. His stunning photographs (around 100 of which will be on display) explore both change and continuity in some of the most spectacular places on Earth.

Isabella Bird was born in Yorkshire in 1831, living in Edinburgh for much of her life. She made her first overseas journey in 1854, and her direct yet evocative style of travel writing had an immediate appeal for her readers. Advised by her doctors that travel was good for her health, she visited the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Sandwich Islands, India, China, Japan, Malaya, Tibet, Persia, Kurdistan, Turkey, Vietnam, Korea and Morocco. She died aged 72 in 1904, preparing for another voyage to China.

70 years later, Prof Kanasaka read the Japanese translation of her book Unbeaten Tracks in Japan and immediately recognised the importance of her writings for modern day geographers. He has since travelled the world following in her footsteps, a study he describes as 'twin time-travel'.

Prof Kanasaka will be returning to Dundee for the official opening of the exhibition, at which the Consul General will be welcomed by principal Sir Alan Langlands and Dean of the School of Social & Environmental Sciences, Prof Rob Duck.

The exhibition, which takes place in the Lamb Gallery on the first floor of the Tower Building, will open to the public on 2 October and run until 28 November. Admission is free. Prof Kanasaka will also be giving a lecture on his work at 5pm on 26 November. For further details, please contact Curator of Museum Services Matthew Jarron on 01382 384310 or museum@dundee.ac.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Image attached: Futamigaura, Japan by Kiyonori Kanasaka

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