ART | 'Opening the Door to Fukushima - The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project Exhibition 2013'
ART | Beyond Mere Empathy: "Post-311 Architecture" and "Post-311 Art"
Hiroki Azuma et al.'s "Opening the Gate to 'Fukushima' – Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project Exhibition 2013"
Last year, philosopher Hiroki Azuma launched the "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project," sparking significant debate. In November of this year, a book compiling its proposals was also released. An exhibition, "Opening the Gate to 'Fukushima' – Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project Exhibition 2013," showcasing the works that contributed to this book, will be held from December 24 (Tue) to 28 (Sat) at Genron Cafe and other venues in Shinagawa Ward, Gotanda.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Second Venue Requires Consent to "Become the Subject" for Participatory Installation
The "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project" aims to boldly redevelop J-Village near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant around 2036, 25 years after the accident, opening the disaster site to the public as a place people can and want to see. Last year, a research group was initiated, bringing together eight members from diverse fields, including journalist Daisuke Tsuda, sociologist Hiroshi開沼, architect Ryuji Fujimura, and artist Kazuki Umezawa. This November, the project culminated in the book "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project: Ideological Map β vol.4-2."
This exhibition presents works included in the book and records of their creation process, featuring Ryuji Fujimura's model for "Fukushima Gate Village" and other displays. Kazuki Umezawa, known for his collages using online images, will show sketches for "Tsunami Tower," and photographer Kenshu Nii's photographs of Chernobyl and Fukushima will also be exhibited.
The second venue is a participatory installation. The space will be live-streamed online via surveillance cameras, drawing visitors into the experience of the disaster. These streamed images may later be used as material for Umezawa's work, requiring visitors' consent to "become the subject" of the artwork. This also serves as an allegory for entering the nuclear accident site surrounded by surveillance cameras.
Furthermore, a large-scale painting, approximately 2 meters by 5 meters, titled "What Has Come to Be Sung," which marked the starting point for all of Umezawa's activities after the earthquake, will be specially unveiled.
The "Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project" is described as having aspects of a social movement, while also asserting its significance in relation to existing "post-311 architecture" and "post-311 art." We will witness a form of reconstruction that goes beyond merely empathizing with the victims, and the breath of new art.
"Opening the Gate to 'Fukushima' – Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tourism Project Exhibition 2013"
Dates | December 24 (Tue) - 28 (Sat)
Hours | 15:00-21:00 *Dec 24: 18:00 onwards; Dec 27 & 28: 13:00-18:00
Venue | Venue 1: Genron Cafe
1-11-9 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Tsukasa Bldg. 6F
Tel. 03-5719-6821
Venue 2: Genron Office
1-16-6 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Il Mondo Bldg. 2F
Tel. 03-6417-9230
Admission | 1500 yen *Includes one drink