The all-night art event ‘BENTEN 2024’ will be held from November 2 (Saturday) to November 4 (Monday, holiday) in and around Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Since the post-war recovery period, Shinjuku and Kabukicho have maintained their allure as a melting pot of diverse cultures, where avant-garde artists thrive. Legendary art often emerges spontaneously in bars and on the streets, yet its significance in art history has been underestimated. The inaugural ‘BENTEN 2024’ will be directed by Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group, who have long been active in Kabukicho. The event aims to connect recently established art spaces and public areas in Kabukicho, attempting to visualize the neighborhood as a unique artistic district.
The venues for the event will include the Ojo Building, Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theatre, Decameron, WHITEHOUSE, and Tokyo Desert (formerly the Arts Civic Center). Currently, 58 participating artists have been announced, including Chen Tianjiao, who is recognized as a leading figure of the Chinese millennial generation. Other participants include DOMMUNE KABUKICHO (featuring Tomohiro Machiyama, Naohiro Ukawa, Keigo Oyamada, Chiro b2b ASIANDOPEBOYS, VMO, and more), Chiaki Shinoda, and Nash Arakawa. Live performances and DJ events produced by GLOBAL HEARTS, as well as concerts by Kazuki Tomokawa and Morio Agata, will also take place. The official website has published details about the program and timetable, and additional artists are expected to be announced in the future.
BENTEN 2024
Artistic Director
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group
Event Dates
November 2, 2024 (Saturday) 15:00 – 5:00
November 3, 2024 (Sunday) 15:00 – 5:00
November 4, 2024 (Monday, Holiday) 15:00 – 24:00
Opening times vary by venue. Please check the official website and social media for details.
Venue
Around Kabukicho (Ojo Building, WHITEHOUSE, Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theatre, AWAKE, Decameron, Tokyo Desert, Kabukicho Park, etc.)
1-Day Ticket
General: ¥3,000 / Under 18: ¥2,500 / Free for middle school students and below
Some programs may require an additional fee.
Entry for those under 18 is prohibited from 22:00 to 5:00 due to regulations. Middle school students must be accompanied by a guardian.
Ticket link: https://artsticker.app/events/49502
Participating Artists
Exhibitions:
Chen Tianjiao, D COLLECTION (Olafur Eliasson, Mitsu Inui, Nam June Paik, Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group), Shiori Watanabe, Yuko Okada, Chiaki Shinoda, Tomotoshi, Natsumi Aoyagi, Mai Endo
Music:
Kazuki Tomokawa, Morio Agata, “DOMMUNE KABUKICHO” SATELLITE STUDIO (Keigo Oyamada, Chiro b2b ASIANDOPEBOYS, VMO, etc.), BACK TO CHILL (REBEL FAMILIA (HEAVY×GOTH-TRAD), Kōan, KILLER-BONG (BLACK SMOKER RECORDS), EVE, 100MADO, CITY1, MØNDAIGAI, HELKTRAM, GOTH-TRAD), Puzzle pre “We Are The Night” (Obabita, Shingen, Eichi Abe, Sound Brain, Jun Inagawa, VC*), New Species of Immigrations B + Maki Nomiya
Performances and Others:
Nash Arakawa, Asou Kohachi, Chiaki Shinoda, Chen Tianjiao (with: Siko Setyanto, Tsuruma Nishihara, Kadapat), FAMEME, “DOMMUNE KABUKICHO” SATELLITE STUDIO (Tomohiro Machiyama, Naohiro Ukawa, etc.), A-Yoko (Makoto Aida, UGO Executive Committee, Offline Salon Nowhere (with: Magic Cut Do Straight, Noise Curry, Young National Park & DJ Jinbatsu, Torihara Rei, Thermal Human, Human Man, BARD), Susukino Night Triennale, Kyojima Station, Stop Halfway, Kinsanmai (with: THE FOUR-EYED, Boku Brain)
Collaborative Project: Kabuki Super Festival (hosted by the Kabukicho Shopping Street Promotion Association)
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group,
Tokyo QQQ (performance) Aoi Yamada, Kenta Kanbara, Kily Shakley, KUMI, Tsuki Takamura, Chibimoeko, Hirai Kaeru, MONDO, Juanita Yamada
Kabuki CHERRY (showgirl) Acha, AYA AVA, ELLES, Kily Shakley, Pomegranate Yuka, Jacky, momoMc, Lune Glitter
PEACE TOMODACHI (Kids DANCE) YUSEI, $HUN, Hinata, Reira, Rinkoto, HINATA, JOY
Aoi Tsuki (performance) Aoi Yamada, Tsuki Takamura
Drag Queen (Show) Rachel D’Amour, Lil Granbitch, Niku Juban Gebumi
WUSHU • SAMURAI (Show) Shinji Kanazawa
Freestyle Football + Freestyle Basketball (Show), KAZANE + KENGO
GOGO Konochan TEN NAWOTO
Fundoshi Dance (performance) Yuya Igarashi + Takkun Ikegami
Prayer Benzaiten + Otsuki
Drag Queen DJ MONDO, DQJ LUCIANO
