LIFE ON BOARD @ CET

Date：2009.7.18 Sat
■ Cruise / One-way cruise in CET area.

"ZENFLEET", capacity of 30 passengers.

LIFE ON BOARD is a collaboration with BOAT PEOPLE Association whose dominant interest is to create "water-experiences" in urban life.

As the first program of LIFE ON BOARD, cruising took place on July 18th in accordance with the announcement of launching "Tokyo Artpoint Project" and CET090718. Consists of the members who work in the field of art, architecture, urban planning, and community development etc., BOAT PEOPLE Association has participated in projects such as Yokohama Triennale 2005, Governmental urban re-development project "Disaster-prevention x Boat x Art"(2007), BankART "Earthquake EXPO" 2007. The association proposes people opportunities to come across the water in cities, through the form of art, architecture designs and workshops.

The boat cruised CET area: Kanda River, Sumida River, Kameｊima / Nihonbashi River between Tokiwabashi Port (Chuo-ku) and Izumibashi Port (Chiyoda-ku). All the cruises, the capacity of 30 people each time, were fully attended! Leaving the port in the city, the boat sailed as if the passengers were viewing the backside of the city where they are used to see, on the both sides of the river. People walking on the bridge seemed a little surprised to see us on the water, being exhilarated with cameras. It was nice to see them stopping and waving us back with smiles when we waved to them from the boat.

There were many encounters on water too. Numerous jellyfish floating in Sumida River, people working to dispose the dredged sludge, and the members of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency who were practicing saving training, and we could see some aspects of the rivers that underpin the livelihood of the city.

After streaming down the narrow river running on the side of the city, the boat coming out to Sumida River and runs into Tokyo Bay, the scenery will be wide open. From there, we can see the skyscrapers in Kachidoki in the distance. The boat approaches the large floodgate, and the rare scenery of the expression of the reverse side of the bridges - Mr. Ide from BOAT PEOPLE Association gave a guide tour with various insights. Looking at the city from water was so fresh the participants and sharing all the excitement together made them feel as if they were the members of an expedition. We will plan more cruising tours and projects including water research programs, so please wait for further announcement.