Matsuo Basho once took up residence here; the Olympic Torch passed through after World War Two; and in recent years the area has become home to many lively cafes and galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) has been active here in the creative and attractive district of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa since opening in 1995.
The MOT Satellite art project takes the museum to the streets with the support of various people and establishments in the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area, while the museum itself is temporarily closed for renovations.
The project promotes the richness and appeal of the area’s vibrant culture and community both old and new, presenting artworks and projects by a variety of artists throughout the area.
The project’s second outing, MOT Satellite 2017 Fall – Connecting Scapes, will trace the background to the varied life of the area, and the course of the historical changes it has seen. The program will offer fresh encounters with Kiyosumi-Shirakawa by connecting people and the town in workshops and exhibitions that visualize the vitality and landscapes of a district with a diverse population, as well as local walks and talk events.
This time around there will be numerous exhibitions and events aimed at the younger generation, which will play an important role in the creation of future culture. As part of those efforts, exhibitions and events will be held at the Arts & Science Lab of the Ueno campus of Tokyo University of the Arts, as well as in the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa district.