Connecting Scapes

Outline

Kiyosumi-shirakawa, where long ago the poet Basho lived and where, in the 1960s, crowds greeted the Olympic torch, is today a lively district of cafes and galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) has operated in this creative and fascinating area since its founding in 1995. While closed for renovations, MOT is taking its activities outside with the "MOT Satellite"--an art project involving the people and all kinds of facilities in Kiyosumi-shirakawa. By displaying projects and artworks by numerous artists in sites around the district, MOT aims to show the richness and charm the district enjoys with its mixture of communities and cultures, old and new.
Our second Satellite project called "MOT Satellite 2017 FALL-Connecting Scapes" will explore Kiyosumi-shirakawa's historical background and process of transformation. Through art exhibitions, workshops, neighborhood walks, and talk events that unfold the vitality and scapes of this area where people of all backgrounds have gathered, visitors will experience "connection" and new encounters with Kiyosumi-shirakawa's surroundings.

MOT is additionally holding an exhibition and events at the Arts and Science LAB. in the Tokyo University of Arts Ueno campus.

Artists

Various locations in Kiyosumi-shirakawa
*All address below are in Koto-ku,Tokyo

Portraits of a town
Contemporary artists working in Japan and abroad depict in their works various sceneries inspired by the people and history of this area.

Motoyuki Shitamichi
[MOT Space A]
3-8-5 Miyoshi

Yusuke Kamata
[MOT Space D]
2-15-3 Miyoshi

Atsuko Nakamura
[MOT Space E]
3-8-5 Miyoshi

Akira Mori
[MOT Space F]
1-9-5 Hirano

Mako Ishizuka
At every MOT Spot
*See the complete list of MOT Spot in the right column

Physical experience of Kiyosumi-shirakawa
Artists and researchers belonging to educational institutions introduce projects revolving around interactive works that focus from various perspectives on the Kiyosumi-shirakawa area and its people.

Kiyosumi-shirakawa project, Art Media Center, Tokyo University of the Arts
[MOT Space B]
3-8-5 Miyoshi, 1F

Hirose Tanikawa Narumi Lab., The University of Tokyo
[MOT Space B]
3-8-5 Miyoshi, 2F
*There is no lift in this building.

Noramoji Project
[MOT Space C]
3-4-7 Miyoshi

The group of optical illusion block workshop
Workshops will be held on
11/3 and 11/4 from 14:00-16:00
at 4-3-19 Miyoshi, Shirakawa Kodomo Toshokan (Library)


Arts and Science LAB. in Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus
[MOT Space G] 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
Dialogue between artists and the public - its significance and methodologies
In accordance with the focus on facilitating exchange with local communities, MOT Satellite also organizes an exhibition at Tokyo University of the Arts that aims to explore the significance of engaging in dialogue with the public through artistic practice.

What do artists seek in the dialogue with people, and how do they articulate it in their works? And what potential do such works hold in terms of inspiring viewers and those involved in the production in order to review society? "Almost nothing, yet not nothing" is an exhibition that explores such possibilities of contemporary art. Realized in curatorial collaboration with Kadist Art Foundation, the exhibition showcases works by five artists living in different eras and communities, which probe into specific issues and aspects of their society in dialogue with the public.

Eric Baudelaire
Július Koller
Myriam Lefkowitz
Wendelien van Oldenborgh
Motohiro Tomii

"MOT Satellite 2017 FALL" Highlights

Highlights: Kiyosumi-shirakawa

The main exhibitions in the Kiyosumi-shirakawa area will be presented in the "MOT Spaces" inside former industrial sites and community spaces, in several "MOT Spots" located along shopping streets and cafes. At the "MOT Spots," visitors can search for art works hidden about in the district. Also, there is a project in which people will be able to discover landmarks and create their own "word map" offering them a touch of fun and excitement.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy alternative scapes of Kiyosumi-shirakawa through the interactive exhibitions, workshops and performances created by the artists and researchers of The Tokyo University and the Tokyo University of the Arts. Through these events, visitors can see how scapes and artworks connect beyond time, while enjoying walks around town.

They can also see and enjoy programs held by our "Local Partners"--such as galleries, museums and other cultural sites.

Highlights: Arts and Science LAB. in Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus

A co-curated project with KADIST, Paris. The exhibition features artists from various time and place, whose practice involve active engagement with the public to reflect on the condition of society. Included are Eric Baudelaire who produced a series of film with a group of students in suburban Paris, and Julius Koller who created a series of actions to reflect on the idea of fair play as a basis of social interplay through ping-pong and tennis from late 1960s in Czechoslovakia. During the exhibition, a series of talks and performances will be organized.

Organized by

Tokyo Metropolitan Government｜Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Supported by

Koto City

With the special cooperation of

Fukagawa Shiryokan Avenue Shopping Street Cooperative Society, GRANTCHESTER HOUSE, , Public Collabolation Center ・Art Media Center ・ Graduate School of Global Arts ・ Furukawa Lab., Tokyo University of the Arts., Hirose Tanikawa Narumi Lab., The University of Tokyo

Grant from

Institut français　, 　Mondoriaan Fonds

Sponsored by

Shiseido Co.,Ltd., KUMA FOUNDATION , Dai Nippon Printing Co.,Ltd.

In cooperation with

Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Dell Japan Inc., Unity Technologies Japan G.K., Graduate School of Information Science and Technology., Osaka University, Graduate School of Media Design., Keio University, The group of optical illusion block workshop, General Incorporated Association Koto City Tourism Association, Koto City Cultural Tourism Guide Group, Graduate School of Regional Policy Design., Hosei University, Nakagawa Chemical Inc., Moriki Paper Company, Ltd., K. International School Tokyo, Fukagawa Edo Museum, Fukagawa Library, Coci la elle, smokebooks, ALLPRESS ESPRESSO, Mikawaya Rice Store, Dry Cleaner Okubo, NANDHINI, Futaba Japanese confectionary shop, Startline Co.,Ltd.

Sanctioned Event of the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival

Local Partners

Little Tokyo/ MUJIN-To Production/ Satoko Oe Contemporary/ HARMAS GALLERY/ gallery COEXIST-TOKYO/ ANDO GALLERY/ Babaghuri/ WILD SILK MUSEUM/ Fukagawa Edo Museum/ GLASS-LAB/ rikashitsu(Science Room)/ The Basho Museum/ Dobutsu shogi cafe Ippuku/ POTPURRI/ gift_lab GARAGE/ ARiSE COFFEE ROASTERS/ KANA KAWANISHI GALLERY/ LYURO GALLERY(LYURO TOKYO KIYOSUMI-THE SHARE HOTELS)/ TAP Gallery/ Coci la elle/ "Onagigawa Monogatari" Film Committee/ Art scenes in a canal town - approaches from the waterside/ FUKAGAWA HITOTONARI/ Kiyosumi-shirakawa Guide(Sirabel LLC)

Various locations in Kiyosumi-shirakawa
Motoyuki Shitamichi
Yusuke Kamata
Atsuko Nakamura
Akira Mori
Mako Ishizuka
Kiyosumi-shirakawa project, Art Media Center, Tokyo University of the Arts
Hirose Tanikawa Narumi Lab., The University of Tokyo
Noramoji Project
The group of optical illusion block workshop

Arts and Science LAB. in Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus
Eric Baudelaire
Julius Koller
Myriam Lefkowitz
Wendelin van Oldenborgh
Motohiro Tomii

Enjoy a variety of programs that are planned for the duration of MOT Satellite.
Admission free

Performance "Walk, Hands, Eyes (Tokyo)" by Myriam Lefkowitz & Julie Laporte

Participants will walk with their eyes closed and in silence, led by performers who act as guides. It offers a rich sensorial experience of the city space formed by imagination and various senses.
Date: October.14 (Sat) & 15 (Sun), 13:00-15:00
Venue: Kiyosumi-shirakawa area
Capacity: 10 people (numbered ticket system, first-come basis)
*Numbered tickets will be issued at the Information Center from 12:00.

Screening & talk with Wendelien van Oldenborgh

In this session, the artist will present her previous work and talk about her practice creating occasions for dialogue and reflection with and among various subjects on the condition of society or a specific history.
Date: October.28 (Sat), 15:00-17:00
Venue: Arts & Science LAB 4F, Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus
Capacity: 50 people (first-come basis)

"time sculpture" by Motohiro Tomii

New pieces of the "body work" series will be presented irregularly around the exhibition space.
Date: November.4 (Sat), 11:00-17:00
Venue: Arts & Science LAB, Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus

The talk session with Eric Baudelaire has been cancelled.