Art event “Imagineering Okayama Art Project” was held from November 2014 for 2 months at Okayama city. This was one of the “Okayama Mirai-zukuri projects” and started for creating “City of Art and Culture” that boasts to the world. The concept was “town becomes an art museum and stroll leads encountering art”. Cultural facilities, closed school and buildings, shops, public institutions etc. various spots in Okayama city had exhibitions by 12 artists.

© Imagineering production committee　Photo: Katsuaki Hata

At the entrance of Okayama castle tower that is historical and cultural heritage, light decoration by Philippe Parreno shined. At the square in front of the castle, 12 pingpong tables made with stainless steal by Rirkrit Tiravanija were set and people could actually play there. Contrast between Okayama castle and blue sky reflecting on the tables and people who enjoy pingpong was a spectacular especially made by this outdoor environment of the exhibition.

“Untitled 2012 (who if not we should at least try to imagine the future, again) (remember Julius Koller) Rirkrit Tiravanija © Rirkrit Tiravanija, 2012 © Imagineering production committee, Gavin Brown Enterprise, NY

A work by Martin Creed made air that people usually don’t care become visible by use of balloons. People experience it and simply enjoy contemporary art as “if you change your point of view you will see new world”.

“Work No. 1350 Half the air in a given space” Martin Creed, © Martin Creed, 2012, © Imagineering production committee, Hauser & Wirth and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, NY　Photo: Hiroyasu Matsuo

In the work of Simon Fujiwara, video about background of sculptures in a buzz was introduced. Fiction and nonfiction were mixed together with humor and audience was assigned to find truth from those.

“Rebekkah (An Education)” Simon Fujiwara © Simon Fujiwara, 2012 © Imagineering production committee, TARO NASU　Photo: Koji Ishii

Through encountering art in usual life, this project creates new future. Further more, this project tries becoming an axletree and making Okayama city being a center of sightseeing spots and a hub for people who visit to Setouchi region from urban area. We look forward to seeing the future development of this project.

Imagineering Okayama Art Project
Date：November 2nd – December 25th, 2014
Time：10:00 – 18:00
Place：Okayama Castle, KorakukanTenjin Schoolhouse Site, Yanagawa Rotary Building, other spots in Okayama city
Participating artists: Anri Sala, Douglas Gordon, Liam Gillick, Martin Creed, Meiro Koizumi, Mircea Cantor, Ryan Gander, Michihiro Shimabuku, Simon Fujiwara, Peter Fischli & David Weiss, Philippe Parreno, Rirkrit Tiravanija
Host：Okayama city
Co-Host：Imagineering production committee
Admission Free（there are partly public charges）
http://okayama-mirai.jp/imagineering/