Night+Day

America the Infrared It isn't a roomy, skylit space, but what the Downstairs Gallery lacks in physical amenities it makes up for in eye-catching exhibits. Among these is Amelia Tierney's black-and-white infrared film exhibit "American Photographs." Tierney snaps scenes and objects in their natural states, but the infrared film registers light invisible to the naked eye, and changes the tones in the photos, often giving them a surreal, glowing edge. "American Photographs" is up through Feb. 14 at the Downstairs Gallery, UC Extension Center, 55 Laguna, S.F. Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free; call 252-5221.

Correspondent's Course Sam Jameson, a longtime Tokyo-based foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, offers some insight on parliamentary and economic upheaval in Japan that may interest local businesspeople as well as fellow journalists in his lecture "Two Big Problems in Japan Today: Political Reform and Economic Vitality." The program begins at 5:45 p.m. at the Japan Society of Northern California, 312 Sutter, Second Floor, S.F. Admission is $7-10; call 986-4383.