About "Rand15"

The concept is "A place where you can experience a small thrill and a moment of mental space, even in just 15 minutes."

"Rand15" brings together creators from art, cafe, and gifts to exchange ideas and deliver a unique and creatively rich space and products. It's not just a cafe; it uses the works of periodically selected artists as the source of inspiration. From there, patissiers create new sweets and drinks, and art directors design gift packaging, each adding their own interpretation to produce new items.
Furthermore, "Rand15" serves as a platform for artists to showcase their work. By creating opportunities for encounters with many customers, it supports emerging artists in particular.

■ Background of "Rand15"'s Creation
Last October, Linwan opened "Rand," an event space in the Omotesando area, which faces challenges such as the withdrawal of long-established brands and vacant store issues. "Rand" was established as a space where brands and creators could express themselves freely. In addition to creating spaces that contribute to the branding of creators, it also supports them with soft aspects like cafes to drive customer traffic and cross-border business support. Many brands and creators have utilized "Rand," which is characterized by its diverse range of events held not only for long-term rentals. Some months have seen an occupancy rate exceeding 90%. To commemorate "Rand"'s first anniversary on October 20th, and leveraging its track record and know-how, Linwan is launching "Rand15," a new venture that proposes a new form of real estate utilization, powered by the currently trending "art."

In recent years, "art" has been recognized for its value beyond the realm of fine arts, serving as a tool for investment and inspiration for business professionals, and is becoming more accessible to the general public. Developers and commercial facilities are also rapidly moving to attract art, drawing attention to its business potential. However, in Japan, which is considered a latecomer in the art world, monetizing the art business remains a significant challenge.
"Rand" is evolving beyond a prototype gallery business. It is launching as a new initiative for art utilization, leveraging artist marketing support to generate revenue in real estate and vacant space utilization.

■ The Art Business Ecosystem Enabled by "Rand15"
◇ By operating as a tenant in commercial facilities or vacant spaces, it generates revenue, facilitates art adoption by companies, and aims for regional revitalization.

◇ The business model, which can attract customers by offering added value through cafes and gifts with proven track records, allows for the active inclusion of unknown emerging artists. It also contributes to drawing people to facilities.

◇ By not only exhibiting artworks but also selling menus and gifts inspired by the artists, it transforms artworks into customer-drawing assets, thereby supporting their marketing efforts.

◇ Cross-border marketing support is also available for China, a market with a large art scene, utilizing top live streamers in Japan, such as Lin Pinzai Riben.

The first "Rand15" project features artist Kosuke Motohashi and opens in Shinjuku.
"NANATEA&Tsutsumi Lumine Est Shinjuku Store" opens on Friday, October 20th. "Rand15" operates as a shop-in-shop.

【First Featured Artist】Kosuke Motohashi
Profile
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1989. Graduated from Ritsumeikan University. His experiences during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in his childhood led him to study sociology and social psychology. After participating in support activities for the 3.11 earthquake and interning at the UN, he began his career as an artist.
Currently based in Tokyo. His major exhibitions include "Eternal Finite" (MIAKI Gallery, Tokyo) and the art fair "Art on Paper" (NYC). He has received awards such as "Contest in New York" (Ashok Jain Gallery). He is also actively involved in public projects, including art direction for Kansai International Airport.

Reason for Featuring Motohashi
He has actively participated in art exhibitions and collaborations in commercial facilities and restaurants, which aligns perfectly with "Rand15"'s concept of "enjoying art more intimately." This is why we decided to feature him.
We felt that the style of Mr. Motohashi's "MATRIX" series (works using tree rings) would match the interior design and visual aesthetics of "Rand15." Additionally, his works using gold leaf were particularly striking. We were deeply impressed by the energy and concept of his art, as well as his personality as an artist, and felt compelled to ask him for our inaugural exhibition.

【Featured Work】MATRIX - LIFE LINE (1×15, gold)
Size: H100×W900×D40mm.
Medium/Materials: Gold leaf, Japanese cedar / Gold leaf on Japanese cedar wood
Year Created: 2023

Time has no form and is invisible. Therefore, there are moments when I feel that the time and memories I have lived are like an illusion. From this sensation, I wanted to create a tangible object that images the time of life connecting as one within the body. As a result, the work "MATRIX - LIFE LINE," which arranges cross-sections of tree rings, was born. This featured work uses 15 tree rings, inspired by "Rand15"'s concept of "15 minutes of mental space."

【Menu Item】
"ère couche"
An art cake created with inspiration from the artwork.
Inspired by Mr. Motohashi's "MATRIX" series, this gateau represents tree rings, where multiple different timelines converge into one. Using various ingredients, the flavor profile changes as you eat through it.
Coffee, hazelnut, and chocolate gradually meld, completing an era in your mouth.
The name "ère couche" means "era" or "layer" in French.
*Other cafe menu items are also available.

【Gift Item】
＜Drip Bag Coffee Set of 4＞
A set of four types of specialty coffee drip bags from "lohas beans," a company that selects high-quality green coffee beans and delivers them throughout Asia as a green coffee bean exporter from Colombia. Enjoy them at home.
Delivered in an original sleeve case.

Artwork Title: "MATRIX - HANGA - 凸凹"
Size: H1070×W770×D15mm.
Medium/Materials: Ink, woodblock print on Echizen Washi / Ink on Echizen Washi
Year Created: 2023

"MATRIX - HANGA - 凸凹" depicts the coexistence and harmony of different forms using the tree rings of cedar, black and white, and woodblock prints of convex and concave elements.
Created with the theme "Harmony of differences," it explores the subtle differences in shape within each tree ring and the macro layers of convex and concave elements. "凸" (convex) implies the womb or the earth, giving the series title "MATRIX" (derived from words meaning "mother" or "earth") a dual meaning.

＜Sake Set of 3 Bottles＞
A set of three sake bottles from "Nakajima Jozo Co., Ltd.," a long-established brewery founded in 1702 (Genroku 15). Enjoy three types of sake carefully selected by "Rand15."
The bottle labels feature designs by different artists for each period. This special set, created with the concept of "a design that is completed as one piece when all three bottles are brought together," allows you to encounter both delicious sake and art.

Artwork Title: "MATRIX - HANGA - LIFE LINE"
Size: H1070×W770×D15mm.
Medium/Materials: Ink, woodblock print on Echizen Washi / Ink on Echizen Washi
Year Created: 2023

Time has no form and is invisible. Therefore, there are moments when I feel that the time and memories I have lived are like an illusion. From this sensation, I wanted to create a tangible object that images the time of life connecting as one within the body. As a result, the work "MATRIX - LIFE LINE," which arranges cross-sections of tree rings, was born. This artwork, "MATRIX - HANGA - LIFE LINE," is a woodblock print using those tree rings as printing plates.