kizunaworld.org | KIZUNA311, the final work concluding the project
kizunaworld.org #30
The Final Work Concluding the Project
KIZUNA311: A Visual Work by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Kazunali Tajima
kizunaworld.org (KIZUNA WORLD dot ORG) is a project supporting areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, initiated by Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. It has raised donations through works by various artists from Japan and abroad. The 30th and final work in the project is a collaboration between Ryuichi Sakamoto's music and visuals by photographer Kazunali Tajima, titled "KIZUNA311."
Text by IWANAGA Morito (OPENERS)
Two Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake
Under the concept of "doing everything one can as an individual," kizunaworld.org has gathered and offered works from artists in Japan and overseas who support the project, thereby soliciting donations. Two years after the earthquake, with this 30th update, kizunaworld.org will conclude its activities. Messages have arrived from the project's initiators, musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and DigitalStage representative Tomoyasu Hirano.
As we approach the second anniversary of 3.11, time feels both long past and like yesterday, leaving me with complex emotions. I once again offer my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and pray for the swift return to peaceful daily lives for those affected.
Since April 2011, we have been running kizunaworld and making donations to the affected areas. Now, exactly two years after 3.11, I believe we have fulfilled our mission. Above all, I offer my respect and gratitude to the artists worldwide who have generously provided their works, for their profound empathy. I also want to express a big "thank you" to everyone who has donated. And finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Hirano and the staff at DigitalStage, who designed and operated the site, taking time out of their busy schedules.
Lastly, while frustrated by the slow pace of reconstruction, I earnestly hope for the swift realization of a recovery that serves not merely to restore the past, but as a new model for the future of Japan's regional areas.
Ryuichi Sakamoto
With the release of the new work "KIZUNA311," this kizunaworld initiative will come to a temporary close. Once again, I express my deepest gratitude to all the artists and individuals involved, both in Japan and abroad, who participated in this endeavor, as well as to everyone who offered their support. Thank you very much.
While the updates featuring new works will end here, we are considering ways to preserve this initiative, which has brought together 30 works from around the world. Therefore, we hope to explore something that represents the culmination of these efforts, seeking input not only from the artists who contributed their work but also from those who have donated. We also aim to ensure that such activities continue to contribute to the support of those affected by the disaster.
These past two years have prompted us to reflect on the meaning of our lives and what we, the survivors, should do, especially when thinking of the many affected individuals still living far from their former lives. I strongly feel that we must continue to contemplate these questions.
Once again, I offer my condolences to those who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Tomoyasu Hirano
The Final Work Created with Thoughts on the "Now" of the Disaster-Stricken Areas
In "KIZUNA311," the final work released by kizunaworld.org, music composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, reflecting on the "now" of the disaster-stricken areas, is fused with visuals by Kazunali Tajima. Tajima states that he created visuals for Sakamoto's music that "expresses subtle differences between sadness and joy, without overly emotional expression."
Donations will continue to be accepted. The system allows for donations ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥20,000 (for 20 units) to be processed via PayPal, after which the work can be downloaded. The full amount of collected donations (excluding payment processing fees) is distributed equally among five organizations representing the fields of "medical care," "children," "food," "housing," and "energy" as "support needed now" in the affected areas, with donations made quarterly.
Recipients of Donations
Doctors Without Borders | Medical activities focused on mental healthcare and procurement of pharmaceuticals in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture
Children's Music Revival Fund | Support for instrument repair, provision, and music activities in educational institutions
Sunrise Genkimura Project | Support for delivering rice to the elderly living in temporary housing
Voluntary Architects Network Shigeru Ban / Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Support Project | Support through the installation of simple partition systems for evacuation shelters
Tsunagari, Nukumori Project Tohoku | Support for disaster-stricken areas through solar, solar thermal, and biomass energy
SAKAMOTO Ryuichi
Musician. Debuted in 1978 with "Thousand Knives." In the same year, formed "YMO" with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi. In 2006, established "commmons" with the aim of creating new music communities. In the same year, he expressed opposition to the operation of the Rokkasho reprocessing plant and launched "stop-rokkasho.org." In 2007, he announced the establishment of "more trees," engaging in awareness campaigns on global warming, forest conservation, and tree-planting activities.
http://www.sitesakamoto.com
TAJIMA Kazunali
Born in 1968. A photographer based in Tokyo. Active across a wide range of media, including portraits of numerous musicians such as Pizzicato Five and Original Love, as well as fashion magazines, advertisements, and TV commercials. His representative documentary photo book "N/Y" features photographs of Ryuichi Sakamoto in New York.
http://www.tajimakazunali.com
