CONCEPT

2023.09.15 FRI-09.24 SUN
ARTBAY TOKYO Art Festival 2023
CIRCULATION -Connecting Cities, People and the World-

“ARTBAY TOKYO” is a project that connects Tokyo Waterfront City with art. The Art Festival, which was launched in 2022, will be held this year under the theme of "CIRCULATION -Connecting Cities, People and the World-". The word 'CIRCULATION' represents concepts such as 'flow' and 'journey.' The event encourages visitors to think about the relationship between the cities and people, the symbiotic connection between nature and humanity, and the cyclical nature of time as they tour and experience a wide variety of art in Tokyo Waterfront City. ARTBAY TOKYO Art Festival offers an extraordinary experience by presenting artworks using cutting-edge technology, workshops with an awareness of the circular economy, and installation exhibits that utilizes materials unique to this location.

*The festival has been finished.

On the way from Kokusaitenjijo Station to Tokyo Big Sight, there were two main squares, the Flower Plaza and the Stone and Light Square, where numerous programs took place. In the Flower Plaza, a dynamic exhibition titled "Everyday Life" combined the VR work of the popular artist Yuichi Nagaba with art panels exceeding a height of 3 meters, making it a popular photo spot. Meanwhile, in the Stone and Light Square, a program titled "Biotope Circles - Where the Breathing of Living Beings Can Be Heard" showcased artworks created by emerging contemporary artists under the theme of "CIRCULATION," each from their own perspective. The striking exhibition space, featuring containers symbolizing the circulation of logistics and the economy, enticed visitors into an extraordinary experience. Additionally, there were programs hinting at the next generation of art, combining technology and physicality, including gymnastic performances and projection mapping.

At the planned site of the TV Asahi facility construction, a temporary enclosure wall mural art piece called "Tokyo Bay Palette" has emerged, spanning an impressive 25 meters and adorned with vibrant colors such as green, pink, and yellow. Popular illustrator Gaako has depicted the "past, present, and future of the Waterfront Subcenter Area" within a single artwork. Moreover, adjacent to the temporary enclosure, an art piece titled "Characters on the surface" was displayed in a public restroom. This artwork featured illustrations of characters evolving into abstract paintings, adorning the restroom walls.

The AR art project " CIRCULATION BALL -Connecting Cities, People and the World-," which was implemented in a total of four locations, featured balls racing through the city. In particular, at the " Yume-no-Ohashi Bridge," which symbolizes Tokyo Waterfront City, the balls seemed to overflow onto the roads and the surface of the sea, rolling and floating. Additionally, a playful element was included, where tapping on a specific building ten times would summon a gigantic comedian "Pekopa" avatar, which led to groups of families and friends tapping repeatedly for fun.

Near Tokyo Teleport Station, at Dream Plaza adorned with grass, a large art piece titled "COLORFUL THEATER" was showcased. This art piece was created using discarded materials from TV Asahi's program sets. In addition, there were art workshops for children and parades. Children had the opportunity to decorate masks, create accessories using candy, and engage in activities that offered them extraordinary experiences.

Moreover, a workshop where children, along with picture book author Kotone Utsunomiya, painted cars was quite popular. The Digital Innovation City (DIC) Council organized a project where people could simultaneously experience an AR audio guide while riding bench-type mobility vehicles. This event attracted a diverse crowd, including families and business professionals interested in the latest technology.

BMW GROUP Tokyo Bay collaborated with the variety program "Jessica Art Club" from TV Asahi. In one section of the showroom, various art pieces created on the show were exhibited. Additionally, on September 18th, the program hosted its first public recording event, which attracted approximately 100 lucky fans selected from about 500 applicants.　The comedy duo "Shinku Jessica," who serve as the program's MCs, showcased BMW cars they had painted and engaged in interactions with fans through activities like comedy challenges and quiz competitions, deepening the connection between them and their audience.

At Miraikan, various exhibitions and experiences were held to encourage visitors to contemplate art and humanity while engaging with the latest technology. In the 1st-floor Communication Lobby, in collaboration with the Digital Innovation City (DIC) Council, programs included an AI suitcase navigation experience, where the suitcase provided directions when given a destination, and an AR graffiti experience where drawings came to life in the sky. These activities allowed visitors to have fun while interacting with cutting-edge technology.

On the 7th floor in the conference room, there were exhibits related to the metaverse, workshops for children to learn about AI in an enjoyable way, and future technology experiences centered around human "sensations." These offerings attracted a lively crowd of families, with activities suitable for both kids and adults alike.

As part of the Art Festival, a special program called "Treasure Hunt at ARTBAY TOKYO ART FESTIVAL2023" was organized, where participants explored different areas while solving art-related mysteries. DiverCity Tokyo Plaza served as the starting point, attracting many puzzle enthusiasts. Participants, armed with pamphlets, ventured through the various areas of the art festival in search of clues to uncover the location of the final treasure chest.

The theme of this year's Art Festival was "CIRCULATION." In line with this theme, AR artworks were deployed at four different locations: Flower Plaza, Stone and Light Square, Yume-no-Ohashi Bridge, and the Dream Plaza. These artworks provided unique and experimental experiences, where balls rolled along pathways resembling scientific apparatus, or giant balls bounced and approached from Tokyo Big Sight, each area offering its distinct characteristics. A stamp rally was held concurrently, and participants who visited all four locations were eligible to enter a gift giveaway. In addition, a "City Patchwork Guided Tour" was conducted, where participants repaired the city's flaws with art while listening to explanations of the art pieces.