On September 20th, TRANS ARTS TOKYO 2014, a cross-genre art project utilizing temporary spaces created by development projects, kicked off in Kanda, Tokyo. It will run until November 3rd. This year marks the third year of the project. Based on the theme of "a place where people can gather, engage in dialogue, and exchange diverse values, just like families spend time together in their living rooms," the project will feature venues in the Kanda area, including the former site of Tokyo Denki University Building 11, Arts Chiyoda 3331, and Water's Common. The project will feature a variety of activities, including live music, giant art exhibitions, camping experiences, and a curry and sports expo. An opening reception was held on the 20th, the first day of the event. To coincide with the event, Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini, whose giant balloon-shaped creature "Skywhale," measuring over 30 meters in diameter, visited Japan. Skywhale will be exhibited at the main venue, the former site of Tokyo Denki University's Building 11, and will even be shown flying (September 21st, 27th, and 28th). This will be the first time it has flown in Japan.
Piccini said, "Because this is an event featuring new initiatives, we chose an impactful piece that will make you think, 'What is this?' I want people to look at it and think, 'What kind of life does this creature lead?' 'What kind of food does it eat?'" The piece was created based on the idea that creatures that live in the ocean could also survive in the air.
Other events include "DOMMUNE LIVE PREMIUM "KANDA INDUSTRIAL"!!!!!!!" (October 12th), a live performance curated by "DOMMUNE", founded by Naohiro Ukawa; "Urban Camp Tokyo Hotel" (November 1st to 3rd), where you can experience something out of the ordinary by staying in a tent at a campsite that has appeared in the heart of the city; and "Kanda Sports & Curry", which will feature sports experiences, curry tastings, and a workshop by artist Sohei Iwata. A packed schedule of events is planned, including the "Trans Arts Tokyo Expo" (October 4th and 5th), an exhibition of the balloon work "Insect World - Grasshoppers" by contemporary artist Noboru Tsubaki and sociologist Hisashi Muroi (October 19th and 20th), a project showcasing works by various video artists associated with Tokyo University of the Arts, including Yoshito Ikeda, on a large screen set up between buildings (October 11th, 12th, and 13th), and a fashion show for the "Jenny Fax" 15 Spring/Summer Collection (October 19th).
Trans Arts Tokyo was launched in October 2012 as a step toward creating a new industrial and community space in Kanda. The first event attracted a great deal of attention, attracting approximately 300 artists and over 10,000 visitors.
General Director Nakagawa Masato is enthusiastic, saying, "I think this project will serve as a model for creating a new vertically structured city. I would like to continue this for the next four or five years, and further promote the appeal of eastern Tokyo in the lead-up to the 2020 Olympics."
[Event Information]
TRANS ARTS TOKYO 2014
Venue: Kanda area, including the former site of Tokyo Denki University Building 11, Arts Chiyoda 3331, Water's Common, etc.
Dates: September 20th to November 3rd
