Art connects people and towns to the future
Koganecho Area Management Center x Artists
The nonprofit organization Koganecho Area Management Center was established in 2009 with the vision of "urban development through art." What efforts have they made to revitalize the Koganecho area following the crackdown on illegal adult entertainment establishments? We spoke with Executive Director Yamano Shingo and artist Tsunegi Risa, who is participating in the artist-in-residence program.
A former entertainment district transformed into an art town
Until a few years ago, when the nonprofit organization Koganecho Area Management Center (KAMC) was founded, the area around Koganecho was known as an entertainment district. Approximately 250 restaurants and bars for the purpose of prostitution and other activities lined the elevated tracks between Koganecho Station and Hinodecho Station on the Keikyu Railway, and the deterioration of the living environment became a major problem. In 2005, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police conducted "Operation Bye-Bye," a simultaneous crackdown on restaurants and bars. KAMC Secretary General Yamano Shingo looks back on that time as follows:
"The 2005 raid was successful, but many vacant houses had appeared and the area had become practically abandoned. As they considered what to do with the vacant houses, they decided to use them in a cultural and artistic way while improving the town's image."
Yamano originally worked in creating exhibitions in non-exhibition spaces. He visited Koganecho in 2008 to be in charge of an art event planned as a stepping stone to revitalizing the town. He held the art festival "Koganecho Bazaar 2008" in the "town center" of the Koganecho area, including a newly built studio under the elevated railway and a vacant storefront on the main street. Following the success of this event, KAMC was born in 2009.
Utilizing vacant houses as spaces for creation and exhibition
Artist in Residence
"Scary" and "dangerous." In order to "revitalize" an area that had such an image, it was essential not only to clean up the town, but also to improve its image and eliminate the previous impression.
"I knew it wouldn't be easy, and that it would take time. When we first started, people would break the windows when they realized it was our facility. It was such a scary area, so at first, artists wouldn't come unless we asked them."
Artist-in-Residence (AIR) programs, which renovate vacant houses along the elevated railway line and allow artists to use them as spaces for creation, exhibitions, and accommodation, have been a core part of KAMC's activities since its founding. As the town's environment has improved, the number of participants has increased, and currently there are around 50 artists and groups participating regularly. Risa Tsuneki, an artist who has been participating since 2018 and creates three-dimensional works, explains the appeal of AIR:
"Compared to Tokyo, costs are lower and there is a large workshop that I can use whenever I need it. It's also great to be surrounded by other artists. Even though we are in different fields, we can consult with each other and receive encouragement. Since participating in the Koganecho Bazaar in 2019, I have been able to deepen my connections with other artists. I have also been able to interact more with people in the town, and the older men in the shops have given me information about other shops... I have been able to make connections like that."
It appears that communication is expanding not only between artists but also with local people.
The community that artists have connected with nature
"City development through art" may sound like an abstract phrase, but KAMC's activities have been steadily producing results. We asked Yamano what kind of impact art has on towns and local people.
"For example, before creating a work, the artists thoroughly research the area. They turn that information into a work, researching it themselves and talking to the townspeople. In the process, the community and the artists are connected... I feel that artists are naturally building relationships that are beyond our reach. Of course, art has an impact on the community, but I also believe that artists have an impact on the town."
On the other hand, Tsuneki shook his head, saying he didn't feel like he was playing a part in developing the town, and Yamano continued:
"There's no need for artists to think about what they should do to help develop the town. It's fine if what they do without thinking about it ends up being what it is."
New challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of Koganecho
In response to the impact of COVID-19, which prevented overseas artists from visiting Japan, the project also attempted "remote production" in 2020. This was a new form of production in which artists from Koganecho brought works by overseas artists to life while communicating online. Tsuneki, who participated in the remote production, reflected, "Even when the work is completed, it feels like a virtual experience for the artist. They can't actually see the finished work. I'm usually the type of person who creates "real" things, such as three-dimensional objects, so this was a very new experience for me."
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 12 years have passed since KAMC was founded, and the Koganecho area has been regenerated to the point where children can be seen running around. Yamano's mind is already filled with ideas for his next endeavor.
"Not only our industry, but theaters, movie theaters, restaurants, and the accommodation industry have also been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many such facilities in the neighborhood, too. I'm currently thinking hard about how I would like to work with such organizations in the future. When we founded the NPO, we drew a picture of what we wanted this town to be like in 10 years' time, and I think it's starting to look pretty close to that. So, I'd like to paint another picture of what it will be like in the next 10 years and move forward."
●PROFILE●
Koganecho Bazaar Director
Shingo Yamano
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1950. Graduated from Bigakko Copperplate Printing Department in 1971. Has been active as an artist based in Fukuoka since the 1970s. He also presides over the IAF Art Research Laboratory and plans exhibitions. In 1990, he produced the "Museum City Tenjin" art exhibition, which utilized the city. Since then, he has been involved in numerous art projects and workshops on the theme of "city and art." In 2005, he served as curator for the "Yokohama Triennale 2005."
Artist
Rihaya Tsuneki
Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1982, currently lives in Kanagawa Prefecture. Studied painting at Chelsea College, University of the Arts London, and completed an MFA at Glasgow School of Art in 2009. Major exhibitions include "Koganecho Bazaar" (Kanagawa) in 2020 and 2019, "Causality and synchronicity" at The Container (Tokyo) in 2019, and "OUT OF BOUNDS" at Bloc Projects (UK).
●EVENT INFORMATION●
Koganecho Bazaar 2021 - How to make a side-by-side
The theme of this year's 14th Koganecho Bazaar is "How to make a side-by-side."
The 12 selected guest artists and 29 participating artists of Koganecho AIR will create and exhibit their works in the town of Koganecho.
We will hold an exhibition.
Dates: Friday, October 1st to Sunday, October 31st, 2021 [27 days in total] Closed on Mondays
Venue: Studio under the elevated tracks between Hinodecho Station and Koganecho Station on the Keikyu Line, surrounding studios, local shops,
Outdoor open space, etc.
Organized by: Nonprofit Organization Koganecho Area Management Center / Hatsuko-Hinodecho Environmental Cleanup Promotion Council
Artist in Residence (AIR)
Koganecho AIR is open to people active in the creative field, regardless of nationality or genre, and provides opportunities for creative and creative exchange.
We are providing a venue for searches and presentations. Starting September 1st, we are accepting applications for residents from November onwards.
(Application deadline: September 30th)
Koganecho Area Management Center website
Showcase Gallery Collaborative project with Koganecho Area Management Center
Risao Tsuneki
Dates: Saturday, September 25th, 2021 - Sunday, December 12th, 2021
Closed: September 27th, October 25th, November 22nd
Time: 9:00-21:00
Admission: Free
Venue: Yokohama Civic Gallery Azamino Entrance Lobby
