The most interesting thing about this small and underwhelming event was the venue: 3331 Arts Chiyoda, a former junior high school turned art gallery.
Having worked at a variety of different high school for two years here in Japan, I am very aware that most of them have the exact same architectural design. No matter where you are, all the school classrooms are identical, with wooden sliding doors, blackboards, a podium at the front, and the same wooden desks and chairs. The school hallways typically have classrooms lined up on one side, and windows on the other. Generally, most schools have squat toilets, making them easier for students to clean with a mop at the end of the day - because of course, it is the students who are expected to clean up the school (and clean up their acts! Damn it child!). Also, each school has an area for children to change their shoes upon arrival and an indoor sports gym with basketball hoops and colorful lines marked out on the floor.
I am not sure where this cookie-cutter design for Japanese high school originated, but it is certainly ubiquitous throughout the country. To me, this is why 331 Arts Chiyoda is such an interested venue, a commonplace Japanese high school, something drenched in familiarly and nostalgia, converted into something entirely different. Features from the school have been kept in their original state, and new structures, signs and works of art have been constructed around them.
331 doesn't just hold art exhibitions, but also quirky events (like Pixel Art Park), workshops, performances, and even yoga classes. The place is certainly unique and is worth checking out, especially for those interested in transformed structures or whatever that type of thing is typically classified as.
Here's some picpic piccies of the event and the venue:
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| This was actually my favourite stall at the event. I bought a pixel keyring version of Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring". |
Another one from Joeeeeeeeee:
Love it!
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