What we do

Celebrate for ME – The first step

  • Organization : Hiroko Okada
  • Section : Artistic and creative activity in Tokyo
  • Type of Grant Program : Single Individual
  • Art Forms : Interdisciplinary

Outline

An audience-as-protagonist experimental event that interpreted and expanded upon ritual behaviors for burial and celebration as creative physical expression. Spearheaded by artist Hiroko Okada, a tech team including media artist Torajiro Aida, and engineer Kuramoto Daisuke made audacious modifications to VR equipment to create an AR experience in which real-world humanoid dolls and vision were synchronized with tactile sensation. The event offered multi-layered spatial art that enabled visitors to enjoy a personal AR experience as performance with music and narration. The addition of original funereal costumes by fashion designer Hiroko Ito, original background music by Ken Nishikawa, and a flower laying performance by Senyo Kikuchi plus audience members created a theatrical space that resulted from the combined involvement of diverse artists together with exhibition visitors. Guided by audio of Hiroko Okada’s narration, accessible online, visitors actively moved around two exhibiting venues, making it an experiential piece of art allowing them to enjoy the streets of Jimbocho as well.

Profile

Hiroko Okada
Contemporary artist who uses provocative means to look at the world of the future. Major works include “Engaged Body” themed around futuristic medical treatment; and “The Delivery by Male Project,” a video work about a pregnant man. In addition to her solo activities, Okada heads Alternative Puppet Theater Gekidan★Shiki. She engages in collaborative experimental work including the art performance unit Aida Family with her husband Makoto Aida and son Torajiro Aida, as well as the experimental W HIROKO PROJECT revolving around the keywords Art×Fashion×Medical.

Venues

Venue 1: PARA/Bigakko, shared space, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Venue 2: Bigakko, studio, Chiyoda City, Tokyo