As its hub formation initiative, Topping East will implement this program through Tokyo Orchest Lab, the Tokyo arm of the Nicos Orchest-Lab orchestra-meets-laboratory teams who collaborate on Ei Wada’s Electronicos Fantasticos! projects.
During the program, Tokyo Orchest-Lab will hold meetings on its activities, and develop original musical instruments. Also on offer is the “NICOS experience” event in which participants can experience firsthand the activities of Tokyo Orchest-Lab, as well as activity updates by way of reports posted on the Ei Wada Electronicos Fantasticos! official website and social media platforms.

Group participating in the program
Ei Wada Electronicos Fantasticos! Tokyo Orchest-Lab
Period of activity
Until December, 2017 (tentative)
Place of activity
Topping East (2-10-7 1F Honjo, Sumida-ku, Tokyo)

Together with musicians, area residents and students, BLOOMING EAST project organizers will conduct dialogue, research, experimentation and verification in eastern Tokyo, the backbone of which is the elegant and sophisticated Sumida River. As if creating a bloom of “sonic flowers” in various locations, this project will expand the possibilities for music in local communities.
Since 2015, BLOOMING EAST has carried out a series of urban-based experiments with musicians in Tokyo. Following those experiments, the project is entering a new phase. In order to actually perform sounds and music in Tokyo’s public spaces, organizers will dream up new ideas with musicians, conduct research, and prepare for implementation (the blooming of “sonic flowers”) after the discussion phase.

Study Meetings to think about sound and music
As preparation for implementing our ideas, we will start a series of study meetings as a forum in which to explore and ponder the possibilities for music in the public arena. Together we will think about issues such as the difference between sound and music, and whether we need sound in public spaces in the first place.

Dialogue with musicians
We will begin dialogue on the possibilities for sound in public space with musicians who have taken note of BLOOMING EAST’s experimental events, and subsequently engaged in a variety of musical initiatives. In order to show the possibilities for the relationship between public spaces and sound/music, we get into gear by following the dialogue process with an exploration of unprecedented forms of output tied to the memories and history of places in Eastern Tokyo, and incorporating the atmosphere of the land.

Founded on respect for the world-famous Katsushika Hokusai, the Hokusai Music Expo is a music program in which children from areas surrounding Sumida-ku (Hokusai’s birthplace) get to experience beautiful sounding instruments from around the world, learn about their history and take part in rehearsals that culminate in a performance.