COMMUNITY

Finally, I would like to introduce one project started 2 years ago in the city of Kyoto.
‘Art goes to the town’. We can say it is an outreach art activity. If the art work is displayed outdoors, people who do not have much relation with art work in daily life have the chance to touch the pieces, and they might like it!
Art complex 1928 in Kyoto is located in the city center, Sanjyo Street, and has many historical buildings around it. We started a festival to light up these historical buildings and also to project images on the wall of these 50 buildings.
This street didn’t have a strong community so we set up an organizing committee with the local people. The festival itself attracted a lot of public attention. This occasion also gave an opportunity for local area to get together and co-operate. Because of this network function and linkage, new relationships in the community started to appear.

To conclude, the challenge in my work as a director is to find solutions to difficulties and new attempts at creativity. In terms of space, the places have been historical heritage or industrial ruin.
I believe that creativity does not always mean new invention, but that art has a power in finding new value in the old things or the past.

December, 2005
Keito Kohara