Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" vol.23 + bee!

Issued April 2025, 7

vol.23 summer 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.

Artist: Sculptor Motoyoshi Watanabe + bee!

Art Place: Saito Reading Room + bee!

Future attention EVENT + bee!

Creating lingering impressions and spaces connects people and spaces. That is public art.
"Sculptor Motoyoshi Watanabe"

A sculptor based in the studio building "HUNCH" in Nishi-Kamata.Motoyoshi WatanabeWatanabe MotokaHis main theme is the relationship between urban space and humans. He creates sculptures mainly in public spaces to help people connect spiritually with urban spaces.

Watanabe and his work "SRRC #004" (2023) in the studio at HUNCH ⒸKAZNIKI

I think art and scenery in everyday life are important.

Mr. Watanabe is known as a public art artist among his sculptures. Could you tell us about public art and your theme of "the relationship between urban space and humans"?

"Tokyo is clean, functional, and the pressure of information is very strong. For example, people are packed into beautiful trains that are transported precisely on time. The insides of the trains are filled with hanging advertisements. We are constantly being shown things like, 'This is what your life will be like. You should buy this.' I wonder if that is what urban space is like for people.I think that playfulness, feeling that every day is fun, having an attachment to the town, and adding color to each person's life are important. It connects people and spaces by creating lingering impressions and spaces that are different from functionality and rationality. That is what public art is."

It's art that enriches everyday life.

"It's wonderful for art lovers to go to museums and galleries to see the art they love. However, this is only the case for a select few. There are many people who have never been to a museum as children. I believe that art and scenery in everyday life are important in modern society. I want to explore art and the way art should be experienced that can be enjoyed by people who have never visited a museum or gallery.'

“YOUwe.” (Shibuya MIYASHITA PARK 2020) photo by Hiroshi Wada

The shapes of animals can communicate with many people, transcending language, religion and culture.

Why do you think there are so many animal sculptures in your work?

"It's not because I love animals. It's because I think the animal form can communicate with many people, transcending language, religion and culture. Humans have the ability to anthropomorphize non-human creatures, project our own feelings onto them, purify ourselves, show compassion for others, and use our imagination to develop a story. When you make a sculpture of a human, it ends up becoming something other. With humans, various cultural meanings are attached, such as the era, gender, and fashion. Animals are neutral."

Among the animals, the chimpanzee sculptures are particularly impressive.

"I also make works depicting bears, but chimpanzees are structurally similar to humans. They are not animals that walk on four legs, but rather creatures that can walk on two legs and use their hands. They are the closest to humans, yet are not human. Chimpanzees are the creatures that humans can most easily empathize with."

In terms of color, the yellow works stand out.

“I think yellow is an uplifting colour, and being yellow makes it a positive, uplifting sculpture.Recently I've been using fluorescent yellow paint. Fluorescent colors are very interesting. There is light outside the visible range for humans, such as ultraviolet and infrared rays, and fluorescent colors are light that is converted from outside the visible range into visible light. They do not emit light in the original color, but by converting the energy and changing the wavelength. Originally, this paint was used to call attention to things, so it has good visibility. It is also used for heliports, so it is very durable. It is ideal for public art to be installed outdoors.

“SRR” photo by Kohei Mikami

It becomes a public place because it's comfortable.

What does public mean?

"Just because there is a public space doesn't mean it's public. You have to think about what people want and how you can make them feel comfortable. A place becomes public because it's comfortable. Currently, there are many 'public' places that are simply a space. It's important to think about what will be done in that space, what kind of people will be there, and what emotions would be best. I think that's the perspective of art."

“Find Our Happiness” (Zhongshan City, China 2021) photo by UAP

It also gives rise to new perspectives on everyday spaces.

Tell us about your project of moving large sculptures freely around the city.

"Town redevelopment and urban space are already decided by people who are not the people who use the city. The same goes for public art sculptures. Once the artist, client or art director makes the decision, it can't be changed. But what if a sculpture that's here was moved over there? We ask people to try out how the scenery changes. By moving the sculpture, various possibilities for the city become apparent. Different sensations and emotions are born than usual."

What was the actual reaction?

"It was very good. It got more and more interesting, and it was difficult to decide which one to go for. We also held the festival in the town of Kamata in Ota Ward.FloatDashiIt's like that (laughs). It's important to change the scenery that we're used to seeing every day. It gives rise to new perspectives on everyday spaces and makes everyone more flexible. I feel like we've created even more attachment to the town and memories."

ⒸKAZNIKI

If you have had fun or had a successful experience, it can help you when times get tough.

Tell us about your workshops for children.

"I started this after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Right after the disaster, it made me think about what art is and what we are doing. I went to the affected areas with my friends and listened to a lot of stories. It was clear to see that times were difficult for everyone, and that it was difficult to give much of our time to children. So I thought that maybe we could provide some enjoyment for children through art, and I started the workshops. I want children to experience the pure joy of making things. Many things happen in life, but if you have even one memory of something that made you happy or went well, it can help you get strength through difficult times.Even after the disaster settled down, I believe it is important to be involved with children who will carry the future generations on their shoulders, so I continue to hold workshops for children in various places.

"Potan" (Ota City Yaguchi Minami Children's Park 2009)

Communication is close at hand and rooted in everyday life.

Please tell us your impressions of Nishi-Kamata.

"It's been seven years since I set up my studio here. Nishi-Kamata is the best. It's a town of bars, but there's no hint of violence. It's somehow peaceful. I think it's because it's rooted in everyday life, and communication is close at hand. It's on a human scale (laughs). Just step off the main street and you'll find the surrounding area. That diverse feel is really pleasant. Such space is very important for a town."

Lastly, please give a message to our readers.

"We use this studio as a venue for our children's workshop, Mo! Asobi. Just coming to an artist's studio is an interesting experience, and it's fun to see all kinds of tools. Even just finding one tool that catches your eye will help broaden your world. We hope you'll come and visit."

Profile

At the HUNCH atelier, where various equipment and tools are lined up ⒸKAZNIKI

Born in Date City, Hokkaido in 1981. His major works include the approach to Hodo Inari Shrine, Sarumusubi Sando (Ginza, 2016), the symbolic art of the bouldering wall at MIYASHITA PARK, YOUwe. (Shibuya, 2020), and the large 5.7m-tall sculpture, Find Our Happiness (Zhongshan, China, 2021).

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Experimental Theatre ZOKZOK

Coming to Sapporo in the summer of 2025. General Director: Motoyoshi Watanabe
It is scheduled to open in the Sousei East district of Sapporo as a complex that combines art and play. Artists from a variety of fields, including music, fashion, and theater, will gather to develop a wide range of art projects.
Address: 7-18-1 Odori Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

website

I want to create a place where people can meet face to face and take part in activities.
"Saito Reading Room"

Saito Reading Room opened in November 2023 in a residential area sandwiched between Oshiro-dori Shopping Street and Hasunuma Kumano Shrine. With all-glass doors, a concrete-paved dirt floor, and exposed wooden beams, this private library is modern yet somehow nostalgic. We spoke with the owner, Sadahiro Saito, and his son, architect Yoshihiro Saito, who was in charge of the spatial design.

The entire store is like an entrance, with an open and airy appearance

Books are no different from trash if they are just put away. That would be a waste.

Please tell us what inspired you to start the Saito Reading Room.

Yoshihiro: "My father was originally a Japanese teacher. He had an incredible collection of books since I was a child. There were so many books that the house was tilting to one side. We rented a warehouse, and another house was also packed with books. Books are no different from garbage if they are just stored away (laughs). That's a waste. I thought it would be a good idea to lend them to local people and create a place where people could gather around books. I wanted a place to work, but the initial trigger was that I wanted everyone to see these things that were being wasted - my father's collection of books."

From the left: Yoshihiro, Sadahiro, and Hikki.

A modern yet nostalgic and warm space

It's not fancy enough to be called a library. It's a bit embarrassing, so I called it a reading room.

Why did you choose to call it a Reading Room instead of a Library?

Sadahiro: "The number of books it contains and the space it has are not impressive enough to be called a library. I thought that was a bit embarrassing, so I called it a reading room (laughs). Also, I named it after the Yamamoto Reading Room*, a private school for Chinese classics and pharmacopoeia* that existed in Kyoto in the late Edo period."

Yoshihiro: "The Yamamoto Reading Room was not just a place to read, but a place where people could gather and research and study various things. I named the Saito Reading Room because I wanted it to become a place where exhibitions and various art events could be held. I changed the kanji for 'Saito' to hiragana because I didn't want it to sound too stiff. I wanted it to be a place where even small children could come, and where grandparents could come too."

Sadahiro: "You can read books here, and they are also available for loan. Loans are free, and are for one month in principle."

The lending period is long. Even at public libraries, it's only about two weeks.

Yoshihiro: "You don't necessarily have a lot of free time to read. And serious books like the ones here take a long time to read (laughs)."

Please tell us about the genres, works, and artists you handle.

Sadahiro: “I was a teacher of the classics, so there are a lot of books related to the classics. There are also a lot of ancient history, folklore, and geological history.'

Yoshihiro: "There are general books near the entrance, and more specialized books towards the back. People who like books really love them and are happy to look at them carefully. I have a collection of specialized books related to design and architecture. There are also paperbacks and new books near the entrance. There are also books for children."

A cafe space with attractive pine trees

A chair made from an old foundation

I think the key is to not use it for the same purpose as before.

The interior and space design is also attractive.

Yoshihiro: "Originally it was a normal house. If you remove the floor and ceiling, it becomes roughly this size. Japanese buildings are divided into rooms, but if you remove them all, it can become a single space. Of course, it is an old building, so some reinforcement has been added, but I think that using it as one room will open up a lot of possibilities. It can be used for events or movie nights. In fact, there are still a lot of vacant houses in Tokyo, and people are struggling with this. I had been thinking for a long time about whether I could create a prototype that would answer that question. I don't know if I have succeeded, but it was with that idea in mind that I designed this place."

Can you tell us about reusing old houses?

Yoshihiro: "I think the key is not to use it for the same purpose as it was originally. It's quite difficult to use a vacant house as a residence. The performance is completely different from current housing. Everyone thinks, 'A new apartment or condominium would be better.' However, a public space like this doesn't need the performance of a residential home. It can tolerate a little heat or cold, and it's fine even if there is no plumbing. I think some people would be a little hesitant to live in it. It would be easy to repurpose it as a workplace, a library like this, or a cafe. I think ideas like this are necessary."

Exhibition and event space on the second floor

Starting the Saito Reading Room has helped us connect with the local community.

Besides library activities, what other events do you hold?

Yoshihiro: "There's a second floor here too. Last year during Golden Week, we used the second floor as a gallery to hold an event and exhibition by photographer and writer Shimizu Hiroki* called "A Photo Reading Room." The theme was that photographs are something to read, and books are something to look at, and he held workshops on how to look at photographs and how to find books. We used it as a gallery during the day, and in the evening Shimizu held talk events inviting artists and writers he wanted to talk to. After that, we turned it into a bar in the evening and everyone talked again over drinks. This was our biggest event to date, and it was the one where we were able to do the most of what we wanted to do. It's the one that left the biggest impression on me. As for smaller events, we hold film screenings twice a month."

Who chooses the films to be screened?

Sadahiro: (Based on the opinions of regulars) "I'm the one who does this. We hold chat sessions after the screenings. There are many social and historical factors woven into the background of a film. Different people have different perspectives on a film. I think it's very meaningful to talk with people who have seen the same film."

What has the reaction been from local people since you transformed your home into this space?

Sadahiro: "This place is completely visible from the outside. Inside, there are rows of bookshelves packed with books. People come and look with curiosity, wondering what on earth this place is for, but they also say it's difficult to enter. I call out to people who stop by, saying, 'Please come in.' This area is becoming urbanized, and I don't have any relationships with my neighbors. If I move two or three houses away, it's almost impossible to tell what's going on (laughs)."

Do you have any old friends or acquaintances there?

Sadahiro: "I don't have many old acquaintances anymore. Starting the Saito Reading Room feels like I've been able to make some connections with the local community. I've been living here since I was in junior high school. This town has always been down-to-earth, and that hasn't changed, but the number of apartments and condominiums has increased dramatically. There are a lot more single people, people who have moved away from home for work, young people, and foreigners. There's almost no interaction with the neighbors. I think that's the situation we're in."

It would be great if people could connect with each other while engaging in cultural activities.

Please tell us about your future developments and prospects.

Sadahiro: "As I said earlier, modern people hardly have any social interactions with their neighbors, and they are fragmented and isolated. I think a lot of things can be done in online space, but I want this to be a place where people can meet face to face in real life. I think it's important to have another world that is different from our everyday lives. Although it may be small, I hope that this place will serve as a base for cultural activities and provide a place where people can make connections."

*Yamamoto Reading Room: Confucian physicianYamamoto FuzanYamamoto HozanA private school opened in Kyoto in the late Edo period by, who was the base of natural history studies in western Japan.
* Medicinal herbalism: The study of pharmacology centered on ancient Chinese plants. It was introduced to Japan during the Heian period and reached its peak during the Edo period. It went beyond translating and interpreting Chinese herbal books and developed into an academic field that aimed to study plants and animals native to Japan and to study natural history and product science.
*Hiroki ShimizuShimizuyukiBorn in Chiba Prefecture in 1984. Graduated from the Department of Film and New Media at Musashino Art University in 2007. Photographer and graphic designer. Winner of the Miki Jun Award in 2016. Winner of the Grand Prize in the R-2018 Literature Award for Women by Women in 18 for "Tesaguri no Kokyuu."

Saito Reading Room

• Address: 6-6-1 nkt611 1F, Nishi Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
• Access/6 minutes walk from Tokyu Ikegami Line “Hasunuma Station”
• Business hours: Wednesday and Friday 14:00-18:00
  Saturday and Sunday 10:00-18:00
  (Cafe) Sundays only 11:00-17:00 (last order 16:30)
• Closed: Tuesdays and Thursdays

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Upcoming events to look out for +bee!

Future attention EVENT CALENDAR March-April 2025

Introducing the spring art events and art spots featured in this issue.Why don't you go out for a short distance in search of art, not to mention the neighborhood?

Please check each contact for the latest information.

I Color My Heart: Ota City Minemachi Elementary School 6th Grade Art and Craft Exhibition

This project will feature an exhibition of works created by 6 sixth graders from Ota Ward's Minemachi Elementary School, based on the theme of "Kokoro Momo" (patterns of the heart). Based on a special class that teaches the difference between a gallery and an art museum, the students will actually experience the process of planning an exhibition in a gallery. In addition, Western-style painter Inoue Juri, a graduate of the school and active in the Shudaika Art Association and the Ota Ward Artists Association, will also participate in the class, and there will be a sponsored exhibit on the same theme.

The world is connected by music ~A day to experience Africa~
African LIVE for children and adults alike

A wide range of African instruments are on display! There's rhythm, there's dance, there's singing. A live performance where you can feel the unique groove with your whole body.

Daisuke Iwahara

Contact Us

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