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For Immediate Release

Star Light, Star Bright

Photographic Works of Canada’s Northern Skies by Yuichi Takasaka

November 20, 2009 – January 22, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday, November 20, 3pm to 6pm; Artist in Attendance

Art Beatus (Vancouver) is delighted to present “Star Light, Star Bright” featuring photographic works and video installation by Northern Canadian artist, Yuichi Takasaka.  The timing of this exhibition could not be more relevant or appropriate with the chill of winter soon approaching and 2009 being the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY.  While the luminous beauty of the Aurora Borealis and night-time scenes of star trails, moons, and meteors may remind one of frostier temperatures, the amazing colours and stunning landscapes captured by Takasaka should warm the fingers and toes of viewers alike.  The exhibition will open with an afternoon reception on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 3pm to 6pm; the public are encouraged to attend and meet the artist who will also be in attendance.

Born in 1968 in Tokyo, Japan, Yuichi Takasaka became interested in photography in his late teens after moving to Canada.  Working as a video cameraman in the late 1980’s, he developed an eye for a good image.  In the early 1990’s, he found himself in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.  It was there that he began to take a serious interest in photography, developing his skills and gaining expertise by conferring with professional photographers who shared their love of the art with him.

“My love of colours in nature led me to my love affair with the Aurora Borealis.  I first saw these strange Lights in Jasper, Alberta in the spring of 1990 and photographed them.  Later I discovered that these strange “Lights” were the Aurora Borealis.  After moving to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, I soon found that this area is one of the best places in the world to observe the Aurora Borealis.  I did a lot of experimenting trying to photograph the Lights at night, while working at a tour company during the day promoting the Lights to the Japanese market.  These Lights became a part of my life”.

Since that time, Takasaka’s images have appeared in brochures, magazines, educational publications, textbooks, and on various internet sites including the NASA pages.  He lived in Yellowknife for seven years, eventually moving to Lumby, British Columbia where he now resides.  Still, Takasaka continues to visit Yellowknife regularly, facilitating yearly photography and tourism services which also provide him the opportunity to photograph more variations of the Lights.

Yuichi Takasaka is a member of TWAN, also known as ‘The World At Night’.  TWAN is considered a bridge between art, humanity, and science - a program to create and exhibit a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a nighttime backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events. The INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the universe through the day and night-time sky.  Encouraging a sense of wonder and discovery, the “Star Light, Star Bright” exhibition runs from November 20, 2009 to January 22, 2010.