Art Week Tokyo Teams Up with Koshiro Hino and Manami Kakudo for a Special AWT BAR
左上から時計回りに、小泉智貴、水村里奈、ジュリア・ショートリード、角銅真実、日野浩志郎
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“Art Week Tokyo 2024” has announced additional programs scheduled for November 7 (Thursday) to November 10 (Sunday).
This international contemporary art event features 53 museums and galleries throughout Tokyo. The newly unveiled programs will take place at a special “AWT BAR” set up in Minami Aoyama, designed as a welcoming space for art enthusiasts from both Japan and abroad. Among the highlights are a collaboration between TOMO KOIZUMI and contemporary dance, as well as a sound installation and performance composed by Koshiro Hino, offering diverse experiences for art lovers.
In partnership with Switzerland’s “Art Basel,” the event will present “LIVING STATUE,” featuring a collaboration between the fashion brand TOMO KOIZUMI, known for its striking dresses adorned with ruffles, and contemporary dancer and choreographer Rina Mizumura. Mizumura will don TOMO KOIZUMI’s creations while performing at the AWT BAR.
Designer Tomotaka Koizumi, who was discovered by top stylist Katie Grand, has successfully ventured into international markets, enchanting artists like Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, and Björk with his designs. Recently, he has continued to bridge the worlds of fashion and art by hosting solo exhibitions as an artist.
Meanwhile, Rina Mizumura is recognized for her contemporary dance performances and has appeared in music videos for various artists, including Aimer. She has also choreographed numerous live performances, including “CDTV Live! Live!” The unique “living sculpture” born from the fusion of fashion and dance will create a special one-night performance, resonating with the organic design of the AWT BAR, crafted by designer Eiko Tomura.
Comment from Tomotaka Koizumi
In a venue that expresses an urban landscape, contemporary dancers clad in TOMO KOIZUMI’s colorful garments, which have soft and organic shapes, will perform as “living sculptures.” These textile works can be interpreted not only as fashion but also as soft sculptures. Their butterfly-like movements, fully utilizing the distinctive garments, will captivate the audience, accompanied by music that evokes the grandeur of nature.
Left: Tomotaka Koizumi Photo by Packychong Song Right: Rina Mizumura
The sound installation “Sound Installation for the Eiko Tomura’s Landscape” is composed by Koshiro Hino, known for his solo electronic music project YPY and as the leader of the rhythm ensemble goat. In response to the design created by Eiko Tomura, which features shapes resembling a twisted landscape and expresses the hidden landscapes of the city, Hino has captured the sounds that lurk in the urban environment and translated them into electronic sound for the installation.
Koshiro Hino Comment (Sound Installation “Sound installation for the Eiko Tomura’s landscape”)
In the city, sounds are overflowing and saturated everywhere. Even if beautiful sounds are present, it is difficult to have the awareness to listen closely and enjoy them. Landscape architect Eiko Tomura has created a relaxing space that connects people by introducing undulations and ripples into a functionally organized flat space, thereby visualizing the hidden landscapes of the city. In line with that concept, I collect and translate the sounds quietly hidden in the urban environment into electronic sound for the installation. The sounds resonating in the space are not merely functional as background music; they aim to help individuals discover their own enjoyment of sound, akin to pausing to listen closely to the voice of a bug that one happens to find.
The performance “Glass harp music for the Eiko Tomura’s landscape” is composed by Koshiro Hino. It features contemporary dancer Manami Kakudo, who has collaborated with various artists, including Haruomi Hosono, while working as a percussionist based on elements of contemporary music. Joining her is Julia Shortreed, who has roots in both Japan and Canada, contributes music for films, and is a member of the electro unit Black Boboi. Together, they will perform a live piece that involves audience participation.
Left: Manami Kakudo (Photo by Ittetsu Matsuoka) Right: Julia Shortreed
Koshiro Hino’s Comment (Performance “Glass harp music for the Eiko Tomura’s landscape”)
A landscape reminiscent of the earth, like a plate. A place of respite where people gather to enjoy food, sound, and interaction. “Glass harp music for the Eiko Tomura’s landscape” aims to connect space, food, and sound, elevating them into music. The performance features a “glass harp,” which creates sustained tones by rubbing wet fingers on glasses filled with water. As the sound installation plays, musicians Manami Kakudo and Julia Shortreed will distribute glasses to the audience, inviting them to participate in the performance under their guidance. The resulting sound won’t be predetermined like sheet music; instead, it will change with each performance, giving rise to new music in the moment.
In addition, during the event period at AWT BAR, attendees can enjoy food by Miya Enmei from “EMMÉ” and collaboration cocktails featuring Ei Arakawa-Nash, Akira Koizumi, and artist Taku Iwao. Furthermore, NiEW is launching a series where guests will be invited to share plans for fully enjoying “Art Week Tokyo.” As the first installment, an interview with TaiTan, a rapper from Dos Monos who is also active as a creative director, has been published.
Venue: Emergence Aoyama Complex / 5-4-30 Minami Aoyama, Minato Ward (Bus Stops: D1, D9, E3) Dates: November 7 (Thursday) to November 10 (Sunday) Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM (Last order at 10:00 PM) Admission: Free; Food: 500 yen (including tax) for one type; Cocktails: 1,000 yen (including tax) per drink Sound Installation: Ongoing throughout AWT Performances:
November 9 (Saturday) at 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM / 6:00 PM
November 10 (Sunday) at 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM / 7:00 PM Participation Fee: Free
Art Week Tokyo
Name: Art Week Tokyo (Romanized: Art Week Tokyo, Abbreviation: AWT) Dates: November 7 (Thursday) to November 10 (Sunday), 2024, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Venue: Participating museums and galleries in Tokyo, AWT FOCUS, AWT BAR, and other program venues Organizer: Contemporary Art Platform (General Incorporated Association) Partnership: Art Basel Special Cooperation: Agency for Cultural Affairs
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