Tokyo Wonder Site Shibuya (hereafter TWS Shibuya) opened in 2005, and over the following 12 years, held over 200 exhibitions and events while discovering new talents and generating many experimental creations.
The closing event was attended by around 130 individuals, including artists and regular customers, who had close ties to the gallery. Performance pieces were put on by three groups of artists.
Nao Nishihara presented a performance of sounds and music. He began on stage by discussing an installation piece he had created entitled Oto no Seikatsu (“everyday life of sounds”), and played musical instruments from around the world.
Han Ishu did a performance piece, Hanshutsu (“load out”), in which he “packaged” himself and loaded himself out. A cardboard box containing the artist spent about an hour making its way toward the exit, allowing the viewers to observe the act of “loading out,” the final step in the work that is carried out when holding an exhibition.
Members of artist group Oruta and Seoul-based project group Kaihou Kairo performed Pang Pang ν(nu), a piece inspired by festivals, folk songs, and customs of Japan and South Korea.
Activities held in Shibuya in the past will go on to connect and lead to other activities and artwork. The closing night seemed to be suggestive of such a future. Look forward to seeing new work produced by up-and-coming creators and artists at two sites—Tokyo Arts and Space (TOKAS) Hongo, and TOKAS Residency.
