ARTS/FILM
Roppongi Art Night 2010
One-Night Art Festival in Roppongi
Synopsis
Roppongi Art Night 2010 is a one-night art festival set in the town of Roppongi.
The festival will offer extraordinary experiences at a variety of commercial and cultural facilities throughout Roppongi, including diverse works of art, design, music, films, theater and dance. The Roppongi Art Night suggests a new life style - “Enjoying art in daily life.” The fusion of art and the urban landscape will also contribute to the promotion of the cultural image of Roppongi and create a new model of urban development in metropolitan Tokyo.
This festival hopes to gain global as well as domestic recognition as an art festival representing Tokyo.
The festival will offer extraordinary experiences at a variety of commercial and cultural facilities throughout Roppongi, including diverse works of art, design, music, films, theater and dance. The Roppongi Art Night suggests a new life style - “Enjoying art in daily life.” The fusion of art and the urban landscape will also contribute to the promotion of the cultural image of Roppongi and create a new model of urban development in metropolitan Tokyo.
This festival hopes to gain global as well as domestic recognition as an art festival representing Tokyo.
Date
10:00 March 27 (Sat.) - 18:00 March 28 (Sun.), 2010
MAIN PROGRAM TIME: 17:58 March 27 - 5:34 March 28
(From sunset, March 27, until sunrise the following day)
*MAIN PROGRAM TIME: the time period for the main installations and events within the overall time frame of the event
MAIN PROGRAM TIME: 17:58 March 27 - 5:34 March 28
(From sunset, March 27, until sunrise the following day)
*MAIN PROGRAM TIME: the time period for the main installations and events within the overall time frame of the event
Venues
Roppongi Hills, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Midtown, Suntory Museum of Art, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi Shopping Street, public spaces, participating shops and restaurants in the Roppongi area.
Admission
Free (some exhibitions and programs are subject to fees.)
Organizers
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Culture Creation Project (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Roppongi Art Night Executive Committee
(The National Art Center, Tokyo, Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo Midtown, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Mori Art Museum, Mori Building Co., Ltd., and Roppongi shopping street association)
(The National Art Center, Tokyo, Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo Midtown, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Mori Art Museum, Mori Building Co., Ltd., and Roppongi shopping street association)
Event Report
The second Roppongi Art Night was held under the theme of “The Dreams of the City.” The works of artists in Japan and abroad were gathered in the Roppongi area for the art festival. The total number of people visiting the programs held in the two-day period reached 700,000.
Noboru Tsubaki ≪Before Flower≫
Although gymnosperms have not been under the spotlight due to their plain looks when compared to flowery angiosperms, gymnosperms are in fact important plants that supply large amounts of oxygen. Noboru Tsubaki, wishing to show his gratitude to the plants and to express their powerful vitality supported by their spore reproduction, developed his new project, . The 13-meter high “Mother Night” with a built-in carbon dioxide sensor appeared in the Roppongi Hills Arena. After sunset, the opening act started with the birth of giant CO2 and O2 babies, which was followed by various images projected on the Mother Night screen, as a result of the sensor reacting to the breath of people packed into the arena.
At the same time, motif ancient gymnosperms “ARGOS” and “URMOS” appeared at Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center, Tokyo. Luminous “spores balls” released by ARGOS and URMOS were handed to the participants and lit various parts of the city.
At the same time, motif ancient gymnosperms “ARGOS” and “URMOS” appeared at Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center, Tokyo. Luminous “spores balls” released by ARGOS and URMOS were handed to the participants and lit various parts of the city.
Compagnie des Quidams ≪Reve d’Herbert≫
4-meter high men and women in white silently appeared and slowly guided people around them towards the dark by sending them a sign. People expecting something exciting to happen followed the guides. The followers increased in number as they walked and finally reached the destination. When the people’s excitement reached the max level, a luminous performance by the guides who had transformed into giants in huge balloons started.
The performance at Tokyo Midtown started with a scene that made you think that you could be dreaming. This fantastic show was performed by Compagnie des Quidams, a popular French performance group. Their flagship piece “Reve d’Herbert,” which has been performed some 400 times around the world since its inception in 1997, was performed at Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Hills and the National Art Center, Tokyo. In order not to miss the opportunity of seeing the performance of the much talked about Compagnie des Quidams up close, a crowd of people gathered at the venues.
The performance at Tokyo Midtown started with a scene that made you think that you could be dreaming. This fantastic show was performed by Compagnie des Quidams, a popular French performance group. Their flagship piece “Reve d’Herbert,” which has been performed some 400 times around the world since its inception in 1997, was performed at Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Hills and the National Art Center, Tokyo. In order not to miss the opportunity of seeing the performance of the much talked about Compagnie des Quidams up close, a crowd of people gathered at the venues.
≪Roppongi Achi-Kochi Project≫
Roppongi was filled with art works which were installed in unexpected places such as shop windows, the frontages of buildings, vacant land and hedges along the lanes. Intrigued by art suddenly appearing in the streets, some people were surprised and others looked around for more works of art.
Choi Jeong-Hwa Happy ≪Happy Project≫
Humorous pieces were installed by leading South Korean contemporary artist Choi Jeong-Hwa using common materials such as plastic baskets and vivid colors which characterize his work.
Humorous pieces were installed by leading South Korean contemporary artist Choi Jeong-Hwa using common materials such as plastic baskets and vivid colors which characterize his work.
Hiroshi Fuji ≪Street Gardening with Toys≫
Used toys that the artist had collected over the years were combined to make animal and plant figures. He breathed life back into toys and the toys were reborn as art which popped up around the town.
Used toys that the artist had collected over the years were combined to make animal and plant figures. He breathed life back into toys and the toys were reborn as art which popped up around the town.
Kohei Asano ≪Cat Paths in Roppongi≫
Monitors showing cats were installed around the town to create an interactive work where passersby could play with the cats through the monitors. This humorous work with a story turned the streets of Roppongi into galleries.
With the underlying story that “cats that bring people happiness live in Roppongi,” imaginative “cat paths” were created in alleyways and interactive art was installed at five sites, adding the feel of an orienteering game to the project.
Monitors showing cats were installed around the town to create an interactive work where passersby could play with the cats through the monitors. This humorous work with a story turned the streets of Roppongi into galleries.
With the underlying story that “cats that bring people happiness live in Roppongi,” imaginative “cat paths” were created in alleyways and interactive art was installed at five sites, adding the feel of an orienteering game to the project.
In addition to these programs, various other programs unfolded at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, the National Art Center, Tokyo, Suntory Museum of Art, Mori Art Museum, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT and the Roppongi shopping street, where the opening hours were extended and special events were held.
Comments from the Visitors
・Many people in different age groups from various countries gathered in one place. Art is great.
・It was amazing that so many people came out in the middle of the night and were looking around exhibitions and other works of art in the streets. It felt like the town came to life and I had a great time there.
・It was a good idea to hold events simultaneously at the National Art Center, Tokyo and Tokyo Midtown as well as Roppongi Hills so that people could visit them in turn. It gave the impression that the whole town was involved.
・The attractive part of the event was that we were able to interact with art such as images and music rather than passively appreciating art, in addition to having a feel of an all night live event.
・This is the first time for me to participate in the event. It was fantastic and I enjoyed the art from the bottom of my heart more than ever before. It was a magical experience where my emotions, the people around me, the town of Roppongi, the excitement of the midnight atmosphere, all mixed together and integrated. I hope that the event will be held every year! I want to thank all the staff for organizing this event!
・Many strangers talked to me on various occasions. What I want from Tokyo is the chance to make friends with people in the street. I found something brilliant happening here.
・It was amazing that so many people came out in the middle of the night and were looking around exhibitions and other works of art in the streets. It felt like the town came to life and I had a great time there.
・It was a good idea to hold events simultaneously at the National Art Center, Tokyo and Tokyo Midtown as well as Roppongi Hills so that people could visit them in turn. It gave the impression that the whole town was involved.
・The attractive part of the event was that we were able to interact with art such as images and music rather than passively appreciating art, in addition to having a feel of an all night live event.
・This is the first time for me to participate in the event. It was fantastic and I enjoyed the art from the bottom of my heart more than ever before. It was a magical experience where my emotions, the people around me, the town of Roppongi, the excitement of the midnight atmosphere, all mixed together and integrated. I hope that the event will be held every year! I want to thank all the staff for organizing this event!
・Many strangers talked to me on various occasions. What I want from Tokyo is the chance to make friends with people in the street. I found something brilliant happening here.
Event Details
“Before Flower” by Noboru Tsubaki
Mr. Tsubaki presents projects that evoke the intelligence and sensibilities of people, addressing social problems. His new project, “Before Flower” will be presented especially for this festival.
Mr. Tsubaki presents projects that evoke the intelligence and sensibilities of people, addressing social problems. His new project, “Before Flower” will be presented especially for this festival.
“Reve d’Herbert” by Compagnie des Quidams (France)
A fantastic show performed by acclaimed outdoor performance company, Compagnie des Quidams.
A fantastic show performed by acclaimed outdoor performance company, Compagnie des Quidams.
“Roppongi Achi-Kochi Project”
Artists scheduled: Kohei Asano, Hiroshi Fuji and Choi Jeong-Hwa (Korea)
Artists scheduled: Kohei Asano, Hiroshi Fuji and Choi Jeong-Hwa (Korea)
Various programs are scheduled at Roppongi Hills; Tokyo Midtown; The National Art Center, Tokyo; Suntory Museum of Art; Mori Art Museum; 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT; and Roppongi Shopping Street. For details including extension of opening hours and events, please visit the official website.
*NO admittance to minors under the age of 18 to any events between 11 pm and 4 am pursuant to Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Juvenile Protection.
*NO admittance to minors under the age of 18 to any events between 11 pm and 4 am pursuant to Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Juvenile Protection.
Contact
03-5777-8600（Hello Dial） 8:00-22:00（7days a week）
