Hamburg-born artist Rahel Bruns' first solo exhibition in Japan, "HUMAN FACES," is being held at Zou-no-Hana Terrace in Yokohama from July 7th to 19th.


The exhibition is part of the "Port Journey Project," which aims to build sustainable relationships between cities through cultural exchange with port cities around the world that are promoting creative urban development. The installation, which features countless "faces" scattered across the large glass window overlooking the sea from Zou-no-Hana Terrace, will feature a work of art.

Raël Brands has collected photographs of the faces of many people who likely crossed paths at Elephant's Nose Terrace, from local residents and tourists who gathered there, to historical figures from Japan and abroad who supported the port's opening, and people involved in exchange projects. These photographs, created by Raël Brands, are displayed as a dynamic parade across the glass surface. Looking out over the installation, with the sea as a backdrop, from Elephant's Nose Terrace, the faces of the artwork blend with those of people passing by, offering viewers an opportunity to reflect on the connections between people. The installation is also participatory, allowing viewers to become part of the installation and enjoy the process of their own faces becoming motifs. A photo booth will be set up within the venue, and participants are always welcome.

Raël Brands' work is based on a sense of discomfort with the world and everyday life that surrounds him. Over a two-year period beginning in 2011, he focused on the people passing through Hamburg's Vedder port, which once housed a large number of Nazi fugitives and now accepts large numbers of immigrants. Over 150 years after its opening, Yokohama has become a creative port city that has been continuously shaped by a variety of cultures and people, and Hamburg's Port Veddel will be superimposed on this, creating a parade of people who reflect on the port's history and connect their hopes for the future.

From 5pm on July 13th, there will be a talk event titled "From Space to Community: Shifting the "Public"," followed by an artist talk by Rael Brands and Hara Rintaro from 7pm. Furthermore, drawing workshops will be held on July 14th and 15th, allowing visitors to enjoy watching their drawings become part of the artwork. For details of each event, please visit the official Zou-no-Hana Terrace website (http://www.zounohana.com).