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[Alder Public Art Initiative 2018] UAE Abu Dhabi Inspection Team Japan Research Trip Implementation Report
2018-04-05
A group of artists from Abu Dhabi, UAE visited various parts of Japan
A group of artists from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) visited Japan for research and research on Japanese public art under the sponsorship of Aldar Properties PJSC, a real estate/urban development/investment company in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) Abu Dhabi on the schedule from 3/15 (Thu) to 31 (Sat). I will tell you about the tour that Japan Promotion was in charge of coordinating.
Alder Public Art Initiative 2018 (Alder Public Art Initiatives)
UAE Artist Inspection Group Japan Research Trip
Period: 2018/3/15 (Thu) to 31 (Sat)
Places visited: Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko (Yamanashi), Hiroshima, Naoshima (Kagawa), Kanazawa
Sponsor: Aldar Properties PJSC
Planning/Operation: Japan Promotion Association
Travel Arrangements: JTB Corporate Sales Co., Ltd.
Coverage Cooperation: Japan Traffic Culture Association/Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) /Benesse Holdings Corporation/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa Corporation/Studio Colorido Co., Ltd. /Miho Calligrap/Chim↑ Pom
Visit the state of the Peace Monument in Hiroshima
From 3/16 (Friday) to 19 (Monday), I visited “Tokyo Arts and Space Hongo (TOKAS Hongo)” and the “Japan Traffic Culture Foundation” in Hongo,Tokyo trainingAfter finishing, the party moved to Hiroshima on 23rd (Friday). I visited monuments such as the “Peace Bell” and “The Statue of the Atomic Bomb Child,” and thought about the social role played by public art and the “thoughts” contained in it.
In the Middle East, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings are thoroughly taught in school history classes, and many Arabs visiting Japan include Hiroshima in their itineraries. Right in front of the real thing, deep sympathy was shown for the meaning of the many paper cranes donated to the area around the statue of the atomic bomb child, and why.
On the 24th (Sat), the party arrived at Naoshima, which can be called the highlight of this inspection trip. After visiting the Chung Art Museum, the Lee Ufan Museum, outdoor works, etc., they interviewed Mr. Ryoji Kasahara, the director of Naoshima Cultural Village, at Benesse House.
After repeated discussions on what kind of art is in harmony with space and why the selection criteria for public art on the island were decided, Mr. Sheiha, who is the director of Abu Dhabi's public art development project, said that he is strongly interested in the “house project,” which was renovated from an old vacant house and exhibited as an art work, and that he definitely wants to realize a house project produced by themselves in Naoshima.
The next day, on the 25th (Sunday), I took a ferry to Teshima and rented a bicycle and looked around the outdoor art works scattered around the island. Curator Munira said that the Teshima exhibition was very helpful as a sample of the state of preservation of works displayed outdoors and the harmony between landscape and art. I also experienced the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea, which is not found in the UAE, and the scenery unique to Teshima, such as rice terraces and lemon fields.
Experience sightseeing and gold leaf pasting in Kyoto when cherry blossoms are in full bloom
The party moved to Kyoto on 26th (Monday) and spent the day sightseeing at Kinkakuji Temple, the bamboo forest path in Saga-Arashiyama, and “Hirano Shrine,” which is famous for cherry blossoms representing the capital. On 27th (Tuesday), I visited the home of Kondo Fujikane, a foil craftsman living in Uji, and visited the workshop and experienced pasting gold leaf. This foil craft experience was realized through a request from a member who is also an artist to interact with traditional Japanese craftsmen. We were all very moved by the high technical ability to apply thin gold leaf beautifully.
On Tuesday 28th, I took the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa. We visited Kenrokuen Garden, a garden of the Hyakumangoku Maeda family, which is famous as a special place of national scenic beauty, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, which was built with the concept of “an art museum like a park open to the city.”
At the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, we visited the facility after receiving an explanation from Mr. Hiroaki Ochiai, the director of the public relations office, about the museum's concept, architecture, and exhibited works. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is part of the museum's facilities, such as Leandro Erlich's “Swimming Pool” and Patrick Blanc's “Green Bridge,” and since many works of art (commission work) produced on commission are exhibited in a form suitable for that location, many specific questions were asked from the inspection members, such as how to construct the works.
On the 30th (Friday), I went back to Tokyo, visited the animation studio “Colorido” in Setagaya, and visited the animation production site. In the Middle East, Japanese animations have been shown on TV since the latter half of the 70s, and in the old days, anime such as “UFO Robo Grendizer,” “Captain Tsubasa,” “Naruto,” “One Piece,” and “Attack on Titan” can be viewed on TV and internet distribution services, so comics and anime are familiar, and all members of the Abu Dhabi inspection team are avid anime fans. There aren't many animation studios in the UAE, and I was listening to stories about anime production know-how and hardships while shining brightly, thinking that it was a valuable opportunity to see the production site during this inspection.
Watch a powerful live performance with shamisen and calligraphy
Next, I watched a calligraphy performance by calligrapher Miho and Tsugaru shamisen player Shirata Michiaki at the Mejiro art studio, and after the calligraphy experience, I was treated to a welcome by tea master Morikiyo Yasuhiko. There is an Arabic calligraphy tradition in the Middle East, but it is becoming remote for the general public. After Miho's explanation about Japanese calligraphy called “calligraphy represents the heart,” the party actually tried to express their feelings in writing at the workshop, and visited Miho's demonstration with thoughts “so that the memories of the party visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season are with cherry blossoms, and that their future blossoms blossom,” and came into contact with Japanese calligraphy culture. The sound and rhythm of the Tsugaru shamisen I heard for the first time was also shocking, and the members were in love with listening to that research.
Being exposed to traditional Japanese culture was one of the purposes of this inspection trip, so this evening was an unforgettable experience for the group.
Interview with “Chim↑ Pom,” which continues to shock the global art scene
In the evening, we visited Chim↑ Pom (Chin Pom/ Ryuta Ushiro, Yasutaka Hayashi, Eri, Okada Masataka, Inaoka Tsutomu, Mizuno Toshinori) and went to Koenji, where their studio is located. Chim↑ Pom is an artist group that quickly became famous for their performance adding pictures of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant explosion to Okamoto Taro's mural “The Myth of Tomorrow,” which is on display at Shibuya Station. They always deal with realistic themes and sometimes cause controversy, but they are highly regarded internationally, winning the Asian Contemporary Art Emerging Artist Award.
In this studio visit, the leader Ryuta Ushiro talked about various things, such as the background of the production of the work, the reason why Chim↑ Pom's performance is social, and the significance of having held numerous exhibitions in public places, and it seems that the members of the inspection team, who aim to do artist activities in groups themselves, were greatly stimulated. Sheikha said with joy that he was able to hear directly from the artist himself, and that it was a very valuable opportunity for interaction. After the interview, we went out to eat with Mr. Ellie, and we further deepened our exchange.
The results of the Japan inspection are scheduled to be announced later this year
Over 17 days, the Abu Dhabi inspection team visited various art spots in Japan, experienced traditional culture, and enjoyed nature. After returning to Japan, the research results in Japan will be presented, and it has been decided that they will shape it as a work by the end of this year.
Their home countries are looking forward to how the results of this Japanese inspection and investigation will be utilized in the public art production project in Abu Dhabi, which is one of the projects commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sheikh Zayed, the father of the UAE's founding in 2018.
Future developments will also be posted on this site.
Published in the Japan Tourism Agency's research project report
※ 2019/5 update information! ※
A collection of 2018 legacy effect case studies has been published on the official website of the Japan Tourism Agency.
This initiative is posted on page 30 of “Business Meetings in Kagawa Prefecture.”
Please refer to the link below.
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