"Yayoi-chan" and her dog "Ring-Ring" at the Opening Ceremony of Roppongi Art Night



One of the biggest Japanese art festivals came back with Yayoi Kusama!



Roppongi Art Night is an all-night art event whose stage is set in the entire Roppongi area, a famous district within Tokyo for both night owls and art lovers.


The last edition of this event, which was planned for late March in 2011, was canceled because of the Tohoku Earthquake that occurred on March 11. In order to bring back a cheerful mood to Japan, this year's theme is "creating art and giving genki (high spirit) back to Japan".



The rain had stopped by evening. Fascinated art lovers were rushing to the venues....





Cafe ALMOND covered with Kusama's polka dot 



At the Roppongi intersection, a symbolic landmark of Roppongi, cafe ALMOND had transformed to "Mizutama (polka dot) cafe"!

The first 300 diners could get Art Night original, limited Kusama scarves, so many people were standing in line to get them.




Yayoi Kusama "PUMPKIN" 2012, at the National Art Center, Tokyo



One of Kusama's most iconic motifs, the yellow pumpkin, appeared in Roppongi. Its mysterious presence changed the atmosphere completely..... 
 


night appearance of "PUMPKIN"



After sunset, it showed a different appearance. 3-meters high, the yellow luminous pumpkin was popular with people till late.



Yoshiaki Kaihatsu "Happo-en" 2012 



The softly lit square object in the picture, was a tea room made of various pieces of styrofoam. The artist Kaihatsu actually organized a tea ceremony here.


[detail] "Happo-en", complicated combination of styrofoam


 

Kusama Yayoi "Yayoi-chan" at the opening ceremony



People were getting together at the Roppongi Hills Arena as the start of the opening ceremony approached. The circle-shaped open space was filled with countless crowds of people.

Can you see the figures who were even standing on the stairs and balcony behind the 10-meter-tall "Yayoi-chan"?


opening ceremony of Roppongi Art Night 



At precisely 17:56, the time of sundown, the ceremony started with cheerful music and playful lightning effects. The "Yayoi-chan" balloon had not fully appeared yet....   


opening ceremony of Roppongi Art Night



Ta-dah! The 10-meter-tall "Yayoi-chan" and her dog "Ring-Ring" made their full appearance!
 This work is a symbol of peace and hope, which perfectly fits the festival concept. 
 

Yayoi Kusama coming out with staff



After the statement by Fumio Nanjo, executive committee chairman, Yayoi Kusama showed herself to the audience! Cheers were raised here and there. 



Incidentally, the red scarves her companions wore were the ones that people stood in line for at "Mizutama café".


Yayoi Kusama reading poems



Yayoi Kusama read poems aloud for the audience and the sufferers of the Tohoku Earthquake.　The audience listened breathlessly to her powerful message.   




Ceremony venue, Roppongi Hills Arena

After the ceremony and Kusama's reading, the crowd enjoyed a famous DJ play.
Everywhere, there were people, people and people...!



Team Lab & Hideaki Takahashi



On the outer side of Roppongi Hills, colorful big balloons were floating in the air... .


Team Lab & Hideaki Takahashi



This is an artwork by the ultra technologist collective, Team Lab and musician Hideaki Takahashi. Floating balloons radiate various colors, but once someone touches one, all the balloons synchronize and change themselves to the same color. Reverberating sound comes with the light. 



Someone probably touched a blue balloon before I came here.... 

The contrast of high buildings and floating light that reflected on the surface of the pond created a dream-like atmosphere.  



Ichiro Endo "Go For Future Car"



yao_ESTAbLISH, another "Mizutama (polka dot) cafe"



Antenna, "Roppongi Rokuyo-do", temple like stracture for one night only

Antenna is a Kyoto-based artist group who　creates works inspired by Japanese traditional culture. The yellow cartoon-like mice topped on the temple are "JAPPY", whose original character concept is "JAPAN? x HAPPY? = JAPPY". This work is a wish for happiness.　　



Yayoi Kusama "Footprints of Life"






During this festival, main museums and many restaurants in the Roppongi area stayed open till late especially for this event. People enjoyed art and then went to restaurants talking about what they experienced. This is exactly "art in life". 
  


Can't wait for the next edition of Roppongi Art Festival!







text by Yoshiko Anetai


Info 

Date: 24 March - 25 March, 2012 

Web: Roppongi Art Night 

Venues: Roppongi Hills, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Midtown, Suntory Museum of Art,
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, The National Art Center,Tokyo, Roppongi Shopping Street,
public spaces, participating shops and restaurants in the Roppongi area