Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" vol.16 + bee!

Issued April 2023, 10

vol.16 Autumn issue

The Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" is a quarterly information paper that contains information on local culture and arts, newly published by the Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association from the fall of 2019.
"BEE HIVE" means a beehive.
Together with the ward reporter "Mitsubachi Corps" gathered by open recruitment, we will collect artistic information and deliver it to everyone!
In "+ bee!", We will post information that could not be introduced on paper.

Special Feature: Ota Gallery Tour

Artist: Yuko Okada + bee!

Artistic person: Masahiro Yasuda, director of the theater company Yamanote Jyosha + bee!

Future attention EVENT + bee!

Even though the theme is somber, it makes me laugh for some reason.I would like to create works that have that aspect in mind.
"Artist Yuko Okada"

Yuko Okada is an artist who has a studio in Ota Ward.In addition to painting, she also engages in a wide range of other forms of expression, including photography, video art, performance, and installation.She presents realistic works born from her own experiences, such as the body, gender, life, and death.We asked Mr. Okada about his art.

Mr. Okada in the atelierⒸKAZNIKI

I was the kind of kid who was doodling ever since I could remember.

Where are you from?

``I'm Okusawa from Setagaya, but I went to school in Denenchofu from kindergarten to high school. My parents' house is also one block away from Ota Ward or Meguro Ward, so I don't feel like there's much separation within me. Above all, My family went to see the cherry blossoms at Tamagawadai Park.When I was at art school, I often went to the art supply store in Kamata.Since I gave birth to a child in Okuzawa after returning home, I went to Kamata with a stroller and bought art supplies. I have fond memories of coming home loaded with so much food."

When did you start drawing?

“Ever since I could remember, I was the kind of kid who always doodled.The backs of old flyers were white.My grandma kept the flyers for me, and I always drew pictures on them. I remember that I started doing it in earnest when I was in the 6th grade of elementary school.I searched all over the place to see if there was a place that could teach me, and I went to learn from a teacher who was a modern Western painter who was connected to my neighborhood.Okusawa and rural areas. Many painters lived in areas like Chofu.

If I continue to do only oil painting in a square world (canvas), it is not my true self.

Mr. Okada's medium of expression is wide-ranging.Is there a part of you that you are conscious of?

“I really like painting, but the things I've been passionate about up until now have been movies, theater, and all kinds of art.I majored in oil painting at university, but when I create, I only think about the paintings around me. There was a bit of a difference in temperature with other people. I realized that it wasn't who I really was to continue to do only oil painting in a square world (canvas)."

I heard that you were in the drama club in high school, but is there a connection to your current performance, installation, and video art production?

"I think so. When I was in junior high and high school, there was a boom in small theaters such as Yume no Yuminsha. I thought the world was a mix of various expressions and the visuals were new and wonderful. Also, movies like Fellini. I liked *.There were many more structures in the movie, and the surreal visuals stood out.I was also interested in Peter Greenaway* and Derek Jarman*.''

When did you become aware of installation, performance, and video art as contemporary art?

``I began to have more opportunities to see contemporary art after entering art university and having friends drive me to Art Tower Mito and saying, ``Art Tower Mito is interesting.'' At that time, I learned about Tadashi Kawamata*, and `` I learned that ``Wow, that's cool. Things like this are art too.There are many different expressions in contemporary art.''I think that's when I started thinking that I wanted to do something that didn't have the boundaries of genre. Masu."

Why did you want to try something that doesn't have a genre?

``I still want to create something that no one else has ever done, and I'm nervous every time I do it.Maybe I'm the type of person who gets bored when the path is too fixed.That's why I do so many different things. I think."

“H Face” Mixed Media (1995) Ryutaro Takahashi Collection

I realized that focusing on myself is the key to connecting with society.

Mr. Okada, you create works that value your own experiences.

``When I took the entrance exam for art school, I was forced to draw a self-portrait.I always wondered why I drew self-portraits.I had to put up a mirror and only look at myself while drawing, which was very painful.Maybe it's easy. However, when I exhibited at a gallery for the first time after graduating, I thought that if I was going to go out into the world, I would do the thing I hated the most.So my debut work was a self-portrait that was like a collage of myself. It was."

By drawing a self-portrait that you disliked, did you become conscious of confronting yourself and creating a piece of work?

``Ever since I was a child, I had low self-esteem.I loved theater because I felt a sense of pleasure in being able to become a completely different person on stage.''Art activities When I tried to create a work of myself, I realized that although it was painful, it was something I had to do.My own low self-esteem and complexes may be shared by other people in the world. No. I realized that focusing on myself is the key to connecting with society.”

Alternative Puppet Theater Company “Gekidan ★Shitai”

The energy of people who silently create something without showing it to anyone is amazing.I was struck by its purity.

Please tell us about the alternative puppet theater troupe “Gekidan★Shitai”.

``At first, I thought of making puppets instead of starting a puppet theater group.I saw a late-night documentary about a middle-aged man who loves Ultraman and keeps making monster costumes.In a warehouse. He was the only one making the costumes, and his wife was wondering what he was doing.The interviewer asked him, ``Would you like to try wearing the costume one last time?'' When she put it on, she seemed to have so much fun, turning into a monster and howling, ``Gaoo!'' Artists have a strong desire to express themselves, and they feel like, ``I'm going to do it, I'm going to show it in front of people and surprise them,'' but that's a completely different direction.So, I thought I'd just try making dolls without thinking about it. That's where the idea came from. Mr. Aida* told me, ``If you're going to make puppets, you should do puppet theater. You've been doing theater, so you can make plays, right?'' Until then, I had never done puppet theater. I had never thought about doing it, but I thought I'd give it a try."

I want to cherish what I feel in my daily life.

What do you think about future developments and prospects?

``I want to cherish what I feel in my daily life.There are things that I encounter in my daily life, and ideas that come to me naturally. , I didn't work on it in a way that I would steadily create this and that three years later, but when I look back, there was never a period in the past 2 years when I didn't create works. I want to create while valuing things that I have a longing for.I have been creating works that are somehow connected to themes such as the body and life and death, which I have been dealing with since I was young. I don't think it will change.These are somewhat heavy themes, but for some reason they make me laugh.I want to create works of art that have that aspect.''

"EXERCISES" Single Channel Video (8 minutes 48 seconds) (2014)

“Engaged Body” video, 3D scanned body-shaped jewelry, 3D scanned body-shaped mirror ball
(“11th Yebisu Film Festival: Transposition: The Art of Changing” Tokyo Photographic Art Museum 2019) Photo: Kenichiro Oshima

It's also fun to make more artist friends in Ota Ward.

When did you move to the studio in Ota Ward?

``It's the end of the year. It's been about a year and a half since we moved here. Two years ago, Mr. Aida participated in an exhibition* at the Ryuko Memorial Museum, and he thought it would be nice to take a walk around here.''

How about actually living there for a year and a half?

``Ota City is nice, the town and the residential area are calm. I moved a lot after getting married, seven times, but now I feel like I'm back in my hometown for the first time in 7 years.'' It's a feeling."

Lastly, a message to the residents.

``I've been familiar with Ota Ward since I was a child.It's not that it has completely changed due to major development, but rather that some old things remain as they are, and they gradually change over time.'' I have the impression that the art community in Ota Ward is starting to grow, and that they are working hard in a grassroots manner.Today I will go to KOCA and have a small meeting, but through art activities, It's also fun to make more artist friends in Ota Ward."

*Federico Fellini: Born in 1920, died in 1993.Italian film director. He won the Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival two years in a row for ``Seishun Gunzo'' (1953) and ``The Road'' (1954). Won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for La Dolce Vita (2). He won four Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film for The Road, Nights of Cabiria (1960), 1957 8/1 (2), and Fellini's Amarcord (1963). He received an Honorary Academy Award in 1973.

*Peter Greenaway: Born in 1942.British film director. Murder in the English Garden (1982), The Architect's Belly (1987), Drowning in Numbers (1988), The Cook and the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989) Such.

*Derek Jarman: Born in 1942, died in 1994. ``Angelic Conversation'' (1985), ``The Last of England'' (1987), ``The Garden'' (1990), ``Blue'' (1993), etc.

* Tadashi Kawamata: Born in Hokkaido in 1953.artist.He creates many large-scale works, such as lining public spaces with timber, and the production process itself is his work. In 2013, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Award.

*Makoto Aida: Born in Niigata Prefecture in 1965.artist.His major solo exhibitions include ``Makoto Aida Exhibition: Sorry for Being a Genius'' (Mori Art Museum, 2012). In 2001, he married contemporary artist Yuko Okada in a ceremony held at Yanaka Cemetery.

*Collaboration exhibition "Ryuko Kawabata vs. Ryutaro Takahashi Collection: Makoto Aida, Tomoko Konoike, Hisashi Tenmyouya, Akira Yamaguchi": At the Ota Ward Ryushi Memorial Hall, representative works by Ryushi, a maverick of the Japanese art world, and works by contemporary artists are brought together in one place. A planned exhibition to meet. Held from September 2021, 9 to November 4, 2021.

Profile

Mr. Okada in the atelierⒸKAZNIKI

Born in 1970.Contemporary artist.He uses a wide variety of expressions to create works that send messages to modern society.He has had many exhibitions both domestically and internationally.His major works include ``Engaged Body,'' which is based on the theme of regenerative medicine, ``The Child I Born,'' which depicts a man's pregnancy, and ``An Exhibition Where No One Comes'', which is a sound experience. Developing a unique worldview using challenging methods.He also undertakes many art projects. He founded and heads an alternative puppet theater company, ``Gekidan☆Shiki'', with Makoto Aida as advisor.His family's (Makoto Aida, Yuko Okada, Torajiro Aida) art unit <Aida Family>, an art x fashion x medical experiment started during the coronavirus pandemic <W HIROKO PROJECT>, etc.He is the author of a collection of works, “DOUBLE FUTURE─ Engaged Body/The Child I Born” (2019/Kyuryudo).Currently part-time lecturer at Tama Art University, Department of Theater and Dance Design.

website

Regional traveling art exhibition “Akigawa Art Stream”

October 2023, 10 (Friday) -November 27, 11 (Sunday)

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Screening: Art Week Tokyo “AWT VIDEO”

September 2023th (Thursday) to 11th (Sunday), 2

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Okada presents “Celebrate for ME”

January 2023, 12
Jinbocho PARA + Beauty School Studio

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Theater can change the way you see the world and people.
"Masahiro Yasuda, president of the theater company Yamanote Jyosha"

Since its formation in 1984, Yamate Jyosha has continued to present unique stage works that can be described as contemporary theater poetry.His energetic activities have attracted a lot of attention not only in Japan but also overseas. In 2013, we moved our practice studio to Ikegami, Ota Ward. We spoke to Masahiro Yasuda, the president of Yamanote Jyosha, who is also the art director of the Magome Writers' Village Fantasy Theater Festival, which started in 2020.

ⒸKAZNIKI

Theater is a ritual.

I think theater is still something that the general public is not familiar with.What is the appeal of theater that movies and TV dramas don't have?

``Be it film or television, you have to prepare the background properly.You scout the location, build the set, and place the actors there.The actors are just part of the image.Of course, there are backgrounds and props in theater, but... In fact, you don't need them. As long as there are actors, the audience can use their imagination and see things that aren't there. I think that's the power of the stage."

You have said that theater is not something to watch, but something to participate in.Please tell me about it.

"Theatre is a ritual. For example, it's a little different to say, 'I saw it on video. It was a nice wedding,' when someone you know is getting married. After all, you go to the ceremony venue and experience the various atmospheres. It's not just about the bride and groom. But the people around them celebrating, some of them may even look a little disappointed (lol).A wedding is where you get to experience all that lively atmosphere.It's the same with theater.There are actors. , where the actors and the audience breathe the same air, have the same smells, and have the same temperature.It's important to go to the theater and participate.''

"Decameron della Corona" Photography: Toshiyuki Hiramatsu

The ``Magome Writers' Village Fantasy Theater Festival'' can develop into a world-class theater festival.

You are the art director of the Magome Writers' Village Fantasy Theater Festival.

``At first, it started as a normal theater festival, but due to the influence of the coronavirus pandemic, stage performances could not be held, so it became a video theater festival ``Magome Writers Village Theater Festival 2020 Video Edition Fantasy Stage'' that will be distributed via video.2021, In 2022, it will continue to be a video theater festival called the Magome Writers' Village Imaginary Theater Festival.This year, we were unsure whether to return to a regular theater festival or continue as a video theater festival, but we decided that it would be best to keep it in its current form. Did."

Why a video theater festival?

“If you had a huge budget, I think it would be fine to hold a regular theater festival.However, if you look at theater festivals in Europe, the ones held in Japan are different in terms of scale and content. I often think that it is poor.Video theater festivals are probably not held anywhere in the world.If things go well, there is a possibility that it will develop into a world-class theater festival.``If you make Kawabata's work into a play, you can participate.'' .If you want to do Mishima's work, you can participate.'' In that sense, I thought it would expand the scope.There are people who can only see theater at home, and people who can only see it on video.There are people with disabilities. If you have a child, are older, or live outside of Tokyo, it is difficult to see live theater.I thought a video theater festival would be a good way to reach out to those people. I did.”

“Otafuku” (from “Magome Writers Village Fantasy Theater Festival 2021”)

Japanese theater has developed a style different from realism.

Since the late 1990s, Yamanote Jyosha has been experimenting with a new style of acting that stands out from realism.

``I went to a theater festival in Europe for the first time in my 30s, and I was quite surprised.Not only was it huge, but there were many talented actors, and there was a huge audience. However, when I looked at the state of theater in Europe, I realized that I would never be able to compete with realism.After returning to Japan, I began to develop my skills in Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, and Bunraku.・I went to see a variety of Japanese plays, including commercial plays.When I thought about what was distinctive about the way Japanese people perform theater, I found that it was style.It wasn't what we would normally call realism. Everyone is mistaken, but realism is actually a style created by Europeans.Do you follow that style or not?What I strongly feel is that Japanese theater uses a style different from realism. The idea was to create a new style that we should work on within the theater company, and we have continued to experiment ever since, resulting in what we now call the ``Yojohan'' style. I’m here.”

japanese traditional型HowDoes this mean finding a style unique to Yamate Jyosha that is different from that?

``Right now, I'm still experimenting.What's interesting about theater is whether it's performed by one person or by multiple people, you can see society on stage.The human body is like this. , we can create a society where people act like this, but behave differently from everyday life. Sometimes we can see the deeper parts of people in that way.That's why we are attracted to style.Now, we... The society they live in and their behavior are just one of them.150 years ago, no Japanese people wore Western clothes, and the way they walked and talked were all different. I think it's a very strong thing, but I want to loosen up society by telling people that it's not like that. I think one of the jobs of theater is to help people think about things flexibly. It's okay to say, ``They're doing something weird,'' but beyond that weird thing, we want to discover something a little deeper.We want everyone to see what we've discovered, even if it's just a little. .It changes the way you see the world and people. I think theater can do that."

“The Seagull” Sibiu performanceⒸAnca Nicolae

We want to make this a city with the highest level of understanding of theater in Japan.

Why do you hold theater workshops for the general public who are not actors?

``It's just like sports, when you experience it, your understanding deepens overwhelmingly. Just like everyone who plays soccer doesn't have to become a professional soccer player, I hope people can become theater fans even if they don't become actors.'' Good. There is about a 100:1 difference in understanding and interest in theater if you experience a workshop or not.I think you will understand many times more than if you listen to an explanation.Currently, I am visiting an elementary school in Ota Ward and holding a workshop. We have a shop and theater program.The whole program is 90 minutes long, and the first 60 minutes is a workshop.For example, we have participants experience how casually walking is actually very difficult. .When you experience the workshop, the way you see the play changes.Afterwards, they watch the 30-minute play intently.I was worried that the content of ``Run Meros'' might be a bit difficult for elementary school students. However, it has nothing to do with it, and they watch it intently.Of course, the story is interesting, but when you try it yourself, you realize that the actors are careful when acting, and you can see how fun and difficult it is when you try it yourself. I would like to hold workshops at all elementary schools in the ward.I want Ota ward to be the city with the highest level of understanding of theater in Japan.''

“Chiyo and Aoji” (from “Magome Writers Village Fantasy Theater Festival 2022”)

Profile

Mr. Yasuda in the rehearsal roomⒸKAZNIKI

Born in Tokyo in 1962.He graduated from Waseda University.He is a director and president of Yamanote Jyoisha. In 1984 he formed a theater company. In 2012, he directed ``A JAPANESE STORY'' commissioned by the Romanian National Radu Stanca Theater.In the same year, he was asked to give a master class workshop at the Conservatoire National Supérieure Drama in France. In 2013, he received the ``Special Achievement Award'' at the Sibiu International Theater Festival in Romania.In the same year, the practice hall was moved to Ikegami, Ota Ward.He is a part-time lecturer at Oberlin University.

website

Magome Writers Village Fantasy Theater Festival 2023 Screenings & Theater Performances

Starts at 2023:12 on Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th, 14

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Attention EVENT information may be canceled or postponed in the future to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infections.
Please check each contact for the latest information.

Delicious Road 2023 ~ A story told on the road in an empty town ~

Kamata West Exit Shopping Street 2023 Christmas CONCERT Jazz & Latin

Contact

Public Relations and Public Hearing Section, Culture and Arts Promotion Division, Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association