3 - 19 December 2020

Japan Creative Centre (JCC)

Japan Creative Centre (JCC), Embassy of Japan in Singapore, and Pearl Falco Corporation are proud to present an exhibition entitled 'The Beauty of Ise Shima Akoya Pearl ~ The Grand Prix of Akoya Pearl Jewellery 2020 Singapore Edition ~'. As Singaporean students from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Raffles College of Higher Education participated in this year's Grand Prix, we are delighted to showcase this exhibition at JCC. 55 entries from 10 countries and regions around the world will be on display, and you will also be able to cast your vote for your favourite piece.

This is JCC's first major exhibition held in hybrid model. The exhibition itself will be hosted at JCC, but we have an exciting line-up of events online. These include the opening ceremony & tour of the exhibition, talks about the rich history of pearl cultivation, ways of differentiating grades of pearl and so on. We will also feature the local sights of Mie Prefecture, so be sure to mark your calendars with the corresponding dates!

About The Grand Prix of Akoya Pearl Jewellery 2020

The competition was conceptualised by Maiko Makito, the managing director and co-owner of Pearl Falco Corporation who took the helm of the family’s pearl business in Japan, as she felt the urge to save the pearl industry in Ise Shima in Mie Prefecture. It was created with the aim of sharing the beauty of Akoya pearls with the world. This year’s theme is “Goddess.” Japan’s oldest and most sacred Shinto shrine, Ise Grand Shrine, also known as “the Soul of Japan,” is located on Ise Shima, where the “Goddess - Amaterasu Omikami,” has been enshrined and worshipped for more than 2000 years.

Ise Shima is the birthplace of cultured pearls. In the late 1880s, Akoya oysters were first cultivated in Ise Shima, establishing a method to create beautiful round pearls. This technique for cultivating pearls ultimately contributed to the growth of the pearl industry worldwide. Akoya oyster cultivation requires no less than daily observation. Even after years of focused cultivation methods, fewer than 30% of cultured pearls can be used for jewellery. Among the difficulties facing luxury pearl jewellery cultivation today, include declining numbers of experienced pearl farmers and global warming. In fact, 80% of Akoya oysters died last year due to the global warming, and it became a social issue in Japan. These factors make luxury pearl jewellery production and design even more challenging for the industry.

Exhibition and Voting Period

Exhibition and
Voting Period:

3 - 19 December 2020 (Tuesdays - Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays and Sundays

Opening Hours:

10:00am to 6:00pm

Venue:

Japan Creative Centre (JCC), Embassy of Japan in Singapore
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372

Admission:

FREE (Kindly take note that safe distancing measures will be implemented)

Online Sessions

Implementation of new restrictions to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)

In response to COVID-19, we will be increasing efforts to clean and disinfect our premises. We will have the SafeEntry system in place (only by scanning QR code), and ask for your cooperation in following safe distancing measures in place. Public safety is our utmost priority, and we seek your understanding in cooperating with the following precautionary measures:

• If your temperature exceeds 37.5°C and/or any related symptoms
• If you have been in contact with a confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in the past 14 days
• If you are on SHN (Stay Home Notice) or quarantine

For the well-being of all visitors and staff, we will not be able to grant you access if you fall into any of the above-mentioned groups. Thank you for your understanding.

Where is Japan Creative Centre (JCC)?

Is this your first time to Japan Creative Centre? Follow the map below to Japan Creative Centre now.

Getting to Japan Creative Centre
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372
Tel: +65-6737-0434

By Public Bus:
Bus services: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174E, 502, 502A, 502B (Alight in front of Delfi Orchard)
For latest information on bus routes and fares, please refer to SBS Transit.

By the MRT:
You may also take the MRT to the nearest MRT station, Orchard (NS22).
Train fares, travel times and route maps are available on the SMRT website.

Driving to JCC:
Nearest parking is at Orchard Hotel, Delfi Orchard and Orchard Rendezvous Hotel.