This year's theme is "Let's Connect, From Aoyama." Aoyama Commons 2011.
This Year's Theme: “Let's Connect, From Aoyama” – Aoyama Commons 2011 is Here!
Main Content: “Hanatsuna Archipelago” Connects Aoyama and Disaster-Stricken Areas Through Flowers
Aoyama Commons is an event held in front of the UN University, with core members being students from Aoyama Gakuin University's School of Global Studies and Education. For the past two years, under the theme of “Urban Satoyama (Commons),” the event has proposed cutting-edge culture in collaboration with various genres from Aoyama, aiming to consider a new Aoyama cityscape. In its third year, with the primary theme of supporting areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, it will be held as part of the weekly “farmers market” in front of the UN University, centered around the project “Hanatsuna Archipelago” connecting Aoyama and the disaster-stricken regions.
Text by OPENERS
The “Hanatsuna Archipelago Project” Proposes Future Lifestyles, Sparked by 3/11
Regarding this year's Aoyama Commons, director Yuiti Tsukada says, “The ‘Hanatsuna Archipelago’ was featured in an OPENERS series, and it's gradually starting to take shape as the main content for Aoyama Commons. How will Japan rise from the earthquake and change? I hope to foster a connection between people and nature, using flowers as a symbol that has historically carried people's diverse emotions, embodying both transience and splendor, and the duality of life and death. This time, Eisuke Tachikawa of NOSIGNER from OLIVE! and Maki Ohashi's team, including aromamora, will be participating. There will also be a talk with Yoshihiro Kanematsu from greenz. I hope you'll also visit the flower-filled ‘Hanatsuna Cafe,’ created with donated flowers, and for a donation of 3,000 yen, a wreath with sweets and other arrangements will be delivered to community spaces in the disaster-stricken areas. We truly want to deliver wreaths as a symbol of renewal.”
＜Event＞ Hanatsuna Cafe
Two tents will be set up as communication spaces. The tent, imagined as a flower cottage at the end of a flower path, will feature a sophisticated, urban floral display alongside a rustic arrangement of wild plants gathered in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, evoking an autumnal mood. Books, sweets, and drinks will be available, and a scent inspired by “Tohoku” created by aromatherapist Maki Ohashi and Kaori Fujita of Friendly Day will fill the air.
Wreath-Making Workshop
Aoyama Commons will host a wreath-making workshop led by green designer Yuiti Tsukada. The completed wreaths will be arranged with sweets and candles and delivered to the disaster-stricken areas on the night of the Izayoi moon (November 11th). For a donation equivalent to the fee, the same arrangement will be delivered.
Date & Time | Saturday, October 22nd & Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, both days from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Talk Show: “How Can Flowers Become Closer to Us!?”
A talk show will be held featuring top creators active mainly in Aoyama and owners involved in the flower industry, to discuss the future of flowers in our lives.
Date & Time | Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Speaker | Yoshihiro Kanematsu (greenz)
Yuiti Tsukada (Onshitsu)
Sayaka Imaizumi (meme)
Maki Hirami (Santa no Yome)
Talk Show: “Thoughts on Tohoku, ‘Not Giving Up on Tohoku’”
Date & Time | Saturday, October 22nd, 2011, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Speaker | Kentaro Shibaku (Creative Director)
Rika Eguchi (Art Director, Dentsu)
Talk Show: “Thoughts on Tohoku, ‘Not Giving Up on Tohoku’”
Date & Time | Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Speaker | Kentaro Shibaku (Creative Director)
Futa Hasegawa
Aoyama Commons
Period | Saturday, October 22nd – Sunday, November 26th, 2011
Venue | UN University Front, Global Environmental Partnership Plaza
Note: May be cancelled in case of rain.
Admission Fee | Free
Organizer | Aoyama Commons Executive Committee
http://niz237gt.sakura.ne.jp/aoyama-commons/index.html
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