Event Title: Installation of Kazeno-hito, a winter art event in Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Duration: Sat. Jan., 2021–Sun. Mar., 2021
Venue: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, 18-25, Oaza Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka city
Keywords: See the Wind, Become a Wind and Stay with the Wind
Dimension: Widhth 1200mm, Depth 1800mm, Height 3200mm
Position: Concept developing, Structure planning and Making an 3-meter high outdoor sculpture covered with Bassia scoparia （Kochia scoparia）
Story: “Can you make an artwork using KOCHIA?” That is what I have been asked by the planning section of Uminaka. I had no idea how I can make something out of KOCHIA because I had no experience of touching that plant before. But after they showed me a sample of KOCHIA which was harvested the year before, one idea, which I really liked, came up to my mind: This can show the flow of a wind that people feel in the park and that WIND is something we definitely need to be with in such a difficult time suffering with corona virus pandemic.
I tried out many ways to form a certain figure with KOCHIA. When I found a right way to do it, it was exactly when I needed to start working on actual creation.
Figuring out how to make a foundation to support the whole piece to resist wind and rain, after about two-month creation, the piece came out quite nicely.
This is one of my best creations in my career.
By Akio Tokunaga
Client: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Duration: Sat. Jan., 2021–Sun. Mar., 2021
Venue: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, 18-25, Oaza Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka city
Keywords: See the Wind, Become a Wind and Stay with the Wind
Dimension: Widhth 1200mm, Depth 1800mm, Height 3200mm
Position: Concept developing, Structure planning and Making an 3-meter high outdoor sculpture covered with Bassia scoparia （Kochia scoparia）
Story: “Can you make an artwork using KOCHIA?” That is what I have been asked by the planning section of Uminaka. I had no idea how I can make something out of KOCHIA because I had no experience of touching that plant before. But after they showed me a sample of KOCHIA which was harvested the year before, one idea, which I really liked, came up to my mind: This can show the flow of a wind that people feel in the park and that WIND is something we definitely need to be with in such a difficult time suffering with corona virus pandemic.
I tried out many ways to form a certain figure with KOCHIA. When I found a right way to do it, it was exactly when I needed to start working on actual creation.
Figuring out how to make a foundation to support the whole piece to resist wind and rain, after about two-month creation, the piece came out quite nicely.
This is one of my best creations in my career.
By Akio Tokunaga
Client: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Event Title: Paper Lantern Tree
Artist: Akio Tokunaga, FUKUOKA ART NINJA
Venue: Roof top of Reizen-sou building, 9-35, Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka city
Duration: 18:00-21:00, Friday, September 6, 2019
Position: This Paper Lantern Tree was designed, fabricated and installed all by Akio Tokunaga
Story: It was the very first presentation of this kind. Paper Lanterns with votive candles lit up inside the paper bags sit on the shelves constructed in a conical shape. Paper bags, which you can find and purchase very easily, evolved by adding, or painting with brush if I say more practically, magical liquid on all surface and even inside to make them flame-resisting. Paper Lanterns were attached on the shelves by using magnets not to be moved or fallen off by a strong wind although some candles were blown off. It is true that some Paper Lanterns were turned off because of the wind, but, there was no paper bags burned out. So, I can reuse them as many times as I want.
Client: It might be you in the future
Organizer: This was a self-organized project
Artist: Akio Tokunaga, FUKUOKA ART NINJA
Venue: Roof top of Reizen-sou building, 9-35, Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka city
Duration: 18:00-21:00, Friday, September 6, 2019
Position: This Paper Lantern Tree was designed, fabricated and installed all by Akio Tokunaga
Story: It was the very first presentation of this kind. Paper Lanterns with votive candles lit up inside the paper bags sit on the shelves constructed in a conical shape. Paper bags, which you can find and purchase very easily, evolved by adding, or painting with brush if I say more practically, magical liquid on all surface and even inside to make them flame-resisting. Paper Lanterns were attached on the shelves by using magnets not to be moved or fallen off by a strong wind although some candles were blown off. It is true that some Paper Lanterns were turned off because of the wind, but, there was no paper bags burned out. So, I can reuse them as many times as I want.
Client: It might be you in the future
Organizer: This was a self-organized project
Lantern Wall Project
A 5-meters-long wall made of paper lanterns will be exhibited!! Nothing like gorgeous illumination but simple flickering candle flames. Please come and spend a special time in a soothing roof top at Reizenso!!
When: 20 Oct 2018, 18:00-21:00
Where: The roof top of Reizenso,
9-35, Kamikawabata-machi,
Hakataku, Fukuoka city
Viewing Lantern Wall at Reizenso is free of charge.
Planned and installed by FUKUOKA ART NINJA
For your inquiry, please send an email to: konnichiwa@fukuokaartninja.com
A 5-meters-long wall made of paper lanterns will be exhibited!! Nothing like gorgeous illumination but simple flickering candle flames. Please come and spend a special time in a soothing roof top at Reizenso!!
When: 20 Oct 2018, 18:00-21:00
Where: The roof top of Reizenso,
9-35, Kamikawabata-machi,
Hakataku, Fukuoka city
Viewing Lantern Wall at Reizenso is free of charge.
Planned and installed by FUKUOKA ART NINJA
For your inquiry, please send an email to: konnichiwa@fukuokaartninja.com
Project Title: HAKATA TRADITION & MODERN ART TOUR(A Tour Guide Service)
This walk tour is a purchasable program. It takes place whenever as required.
Duration: 3.5 hours (lunch is NOT included)
Agent: SUITO FUKUOKA
https://suito.inboundhub.jp/en/experiences/20
Spots & Places:
Hakata JR Station
Jotenji Temple
Tochoji Temple
Kushida Shrine
Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Reizensou Building(website depicted only in Japanese)
SHIP’S CAT at WeBase Hostel
Public Arts in Hakata Reverain & Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Story: This unique walk tour starts from Hakata JR station where you find more wonders you have never noticed before to the goal at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum(including a ticket for the exhibition of permanent collection) with making stops at Jotenji Temple, Tochoji Temple, Kushida Shrine, a tea break at Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, Reizensou Building that is a popular ex-flat complex renovated into offices and unique shops and more interesting public arts to be seen along the way.
Please check and try to experience a new way of spending a wonderful time in Hakata area!!
This walk tour is a purchasable program. It takes place whenever as required.
Duration: 3.5 hours (lunch is NOT included)
Agent: SUITO FUKUOKA
https://suito.inboundhub.jp/en/experiences/20
Spots & Places:
Hakata JR Station
Jotenji Temple
Tochoji Temple
Kushida Shrine
Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Reizensou Building(website depicted only in Japanese)
SHIP’S CAT at WeBase Hostel
Public Arts in Hakata Reverain & Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Story: This unique walk tour starts from Hakata JR station where you find more wonders you have never noticed before to the goal at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum(including a ticket for the exhibition of permanent collection) with making stops at Jotenji Temple, Tochoji Temple, Kushida Shrine, a tea break at Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, Reizensou Building that is a popular ex-flat complex renovated into offices and unique shops and more interesting public arts to be seen along the way.
Please check and try to experience a new way of spending a wonderful time in Hakata area!!
Event Title: “Rising Sun” or Hinode in ART IN FUKUOKA CASTLE
Artist: Suzann Victor
Venue: Tamon Turret or Tamon-Yagura in Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Maizuru Park
1 Jounai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city, 810-0043
Duration: from 30 March to 8 April 2018
Position: Construction Design and Installation
Story: Almost 600 lens sheets are attached in 27 stranded cables in the shape of a circle with about 4 meters in diameter. 2 main poles supported by 2 braces are buried underground and hanging those cables. Due to the tension of each wires and the weight of themselves and lens sheets, a giant circle appeared after balancing all of lens sheets, wires and 2 main poles leaned inward slightly.
The images you will see through the lenses are unique and complexed. Besides, you may find what this big circle titled RISING SUN can mean when you see images through lens sheets are upside down. The duration will end when all cherry blossoms may fall down. It might tell you more stories behind this work around that time.
Client: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Art In Fukuoka Castle Production Committee
Artist: Suzann Victor
Venue: Tamon Turret or Tamon-Yagura in Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Maizuru Park
1 Jounai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city, 810-0043
Duration: from 30 March to 8 April 2018
Position: Construction Design and Installation
Story: Almost 600 lens sheets are attached in 27 stranded cables in the shape of a circle with about 4 meters in diameter. 2 main poles supported by 2 braces are buried underground and hanging those cables. Due to the tension of each wires and the weight of themselves and lens sheets, a giant circle appeared after balancing all of lens sheets, wires and 2 main poles leaned inward slightly.
The images you will see through the lenses are unique and complexed. Besides, you may find what this big circle titled RISING SUN can mean when you see images through lens sheets are upside down. The duration will end when all cherry blossoms may fall down. It might tell you more stories behind this work around that time.
Client: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Art In Fukuoka Castle Production Committee
Event Title: “Maneki-Usagi of Uminaka” or Rabbit of Welcoming Spring in Flower Picnic 2018 Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Duration: Sat 24 Mar 2018 – Sun 6 May 2018
Venue: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, 18-25, Oaza Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka city
Position: Planning & Making a 4-meters-high Rabbit Sculpture with original paint works on to it
Story: “We need to have an art piece in Flower Picnic Event”. That is what I heard from the one who is in charge of planning the event at the beginning. After some discussions, I showed a couple plans, some failed, but a rabbit of welcoming spring sounded good to Uminaka team. Concentrated making process for 3 weeks.
Curved heat insulating material, original paint works inspired by 4 kinds of flowers; Nemophila, Livingstone daisy, Tulip and, of course, Sakura Cherry blossoms which introduce the characteristics of the park.
Client: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Duration: Sat 24 Mar 2018 – Sun 6 May 2018
Venue: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, 18-25, Oaza Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka city
Position: Planning & Making a 4-meters-high Rabbit Sculpture with original paint works on to it
Story: “We need to have an art piece in Flower Picnic Event”. That is what I heard from the one who is in charge of planning the event at the beginning. After some discussions, I showed a couple plans, some failed, but a rabbit of welcoming spring sounded good to Uminaka team. Concentrated making process for 3 weeks.
Curved heat insulating material, original paint works inspired by 4 kinds of flowers; Nemophila, Livingstone daisy, Tulip and, of course, Sakura Cherry blossoms which introduce the characteristics of the park.
Client: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
Event Title: “A Thousand Skies”, Jotenji Temple x Suzann Victor in “Connecting Southeast Asia in Hakata”
Duration: Wed 1 Nov 2017 – Tue 25 Dec 2017
Venue: Jotenji Temple; 29-9, Hakata Ekimae 1chome, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka city
Position: Modeling, Engineering the whole installation and Work Site managing
Story: After some discussions with artist and curator, tried out modelling which was to be approved by them a couple times, then working on coordinating the steel worker and installer, by the way they were all local artists, and completed her beautiful work with limited time and budget.
Client: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
Duration: Wed 1 Nov 2017 – Tue 25 Dec 2017
Venue: Jotenji Temple; 29-9, Hakata Ekimae 1chome, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka city
Position: Modeling, Engineering the whole installation and Work Site managing
Story: After some discussions with artist and curator, tried out modelling which was to be approved by them a couple times, then working on coordinating the steel worker and installer, by the way they were all local artists, and completed her beautiful work with limited time and budget.
Client: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka city
Organizer: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
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The Works of FUKUOKA ART NINJA
Bilingual Presentation The photos of its works and the introduction by bilingual talk. Duration: 1 Nov. Wed. 2017 - 9 Nov. Thu. 2017 Venue: Gallery Spazio, Centro Italiano di Fukuoka, Open Hours 12:00-20:00 Phone: 092.761.8570 Fax: 092.761.9229 Nakarikyu2F, Tokirikyu, 1-18-25 Imaizumi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka city Speech Schedule 1 Nov. Wed. 2017 19:00-19:40 2 Nov. THU. 2017 19:00-19:40 3 Nov. FRI. 2017 19:00-19:40 4 Nov. SAT. 2017 17:00-17:40 5 Nov. SUN. 2017 15:00-15:40 (15:40 -18:00 Opening Party) 6 Nov. MON. 2017 19:00-19:40 7 Nov. TUE. 2017 19:00-19:40 8 Nov. WED. 2017 19:00-19:40 9 Nov. THU. 2017 19:00-19:40 Sorry, the real KO-TONE model won’t be there. Sorry, NO Italian translation. Reference： Akio Tokunaga 090-3604-3839, konnichiwa@fukuokaartninja.com FB: ART, LIFE & Kyushu Website: FUKUOKA ART NINJA |
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Event Title: Hakata Toumyou Watching 2017, or paper lantern festival in Hakata area
Date: October 21nd, 2017 Venue: JR train Hakata station square, Fukuoka city Position: Designing the work, Drawing on the square, Site managing, and Workshop facilitator Story: When I was told by my client that this year’s motif is STAR WARS, I told myself “It needs to be completed in perfection!!” And that is how it shows!! I thank 30 people of volunteers who joined to make this special Toumyou work with us at JR Hakata station. It was tough but really fun even though I worked at 5:00am to 10:30pm. Client: JR Kyushu Agency Co., Ltd.. Fukuoka city Organizer: Hakata District Town Developing Committee, Fukuoka city |
Event title: Art English Conversation Club - Sorry, I can't speak English well #3
"Here Comes FUKUOKA ART NINJA !"
Date: June 6 (Tue.), 2017 18:00-20:00
Venue: Saga University, Mixedmedia Room (1 Honjo, Saga City, JAPAN)
Guest speakers: Akio Tokunaga (Art Constructor)
Organizer & Moderator: Shin Hanada (curator)
SICA; Saga Independent College of Art presents
Fee: free of charge
https://www.facebook.com/SICA-247523785652384/
Let's talk about art in english. For this session, we will have a free talk with the guest speaker on "My life with Art" in English.
"Here Comes FUKUOKA ART NINJA !"
Date: June 6 (Tue.), 2017 18:00-20:00
Venue: Saga University, Mixedmedia Room (1 Honjo, Saga City, JAPAN)
Guest speakers: Akio Tokunaga (Art Constructor)
Organizer & Moderator: Shin Hanada (curator)
SICA; Saga Independent College of Art presents
Fee: free of charge
https://www.facebook.com/SICA-247523785652384/
Let's talk about art in english. For this session, we will have a free talk with the guest speaker on "My life with Art" in English.
Event Title: Mini Fukuoka 2017
Duration: From February 2017 still continuing
Venue: NAMIKI SQUARE, Fukuoka Kyudenkinen Gymnasium
Position: Assisting staff in the office
Story: MiniFukuoka is the name of the activity which is lead, planed, developed, created and run by children. They are citizens of Mini Fukuoka City working, shopping and running shops as well. Adults act only as supporters.
Client: CCC; Community of the Culture with and for Children, Non Profit Organization
Organizer: CCC and Fukuoka city
Duration: From February 2017 still continuing
Venue: NAMIKI SQUARE, Fukuoka Kyudenkinen Gymnasium
Position: Assisting staff in the office
Story: MiniFukuoka is the name of the activity which is lead, planed, developed, created and run by children. They are citizens of Mini Fukuoka City working, shopping and running shops as well. Adults act only as supporters.
Client: CCC; Community of the Culture with and for Children, Non Profit Organization
Organizer: CCC and Fukuoka city
Event Title: Exhibiting KO-TONE Spiral Xylophone in the “Islands in the Stream” organized by alamak! project in Venice, after NOMAD MONACO show.
Date: April and May, 2017
Venue: Arsenale Docks, S. Pietro di Castello 40 (Canale di San Pietro) 30122 Venezia, VILLA LA VIGIE, MONTE-CARLO BEACH CLUB 2, AVENUE PRINCESSE GRACE 06190, MONACO
Position: Installing an art work, interpreting, and managing a shipment.
Client: invisible designs lab
Organizer: alamak! project directed by Yoichi Nakamuta
Event Title: Hakata Toumyou Watching, or paper lantern festival in Hakata
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Venue: JR train Hakata station square, Fukuoka city
Position: Designing the work, Drawing on the square, Site managing, and Workshop facilitator
Story: It is one of the various paper lantern works placed in mainly around Gokusho, Naraya, Ohama and Reisen area, programmed as a town developing event since 1995.
Client: SANKO ADVERTISING INC. Fukuoka city
Organizer: Hakata District Town Developing Committee, Fukuoka city
Date: October 22nd, 2016
Venue: JR train Hakata station square, Fukuoka city
Position: Designing the work, Drawing on the square, Site managing, and Workshop facilitator
Story: It is one of the various paper lantern works placed in mainly around Gokusho, Naraya, Ohama and Reisen area, programmed as a town developing event since 1995.
Client: SANKO ADVERTISING INC. Fukuoka city
Organizer: Hakata District Town Developing Committee, Fukuoka city
Event Title: Art Stage Jakarta 2016
Date: August, 2016
Venue: Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel, Indonesia
Position: Installing art works at art fair in Jakarta, Interpreter, Sales Assistant
Story: It was the first participation for TOKI-NO-WASUREMONO to bring young leading artists including exciting sculptures as well as well-accepted prints.
Client: TOKI-NO-WASUREMONO Art Gallery, Tokyo
Organizer: ART STAGE SINGAPORE
Date: August, 2016
Venue: Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel, Indonesia
Position: Installing art works at art fair in Jakarta, Interpreter, Sales Assistant
Story: It was the first participation for TOKI-NO-WASUREMONO to bring young leading artists including exciting sculptures as well as well-accepted prints.
Client: TOKI-NO-WASUREMONO Art Gallery, Tokyo
Organizer: ART STAGE SINGAPORE
Event Title: Assisting and coordinating research trip to U.S.A.
Date: April, 2016
Venue: Kent, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, U.S.A.
Position: English tour guide, Coordination and Contacting with 3 bereaved families who donated photographs of a deceased soldier to the museum.
Story: A program director of Television Nishinippon Corporation had a strong interest on 3 photographs shown in Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum as same victims of war as those from the area. Those 3 photographs are of deceased 11 soldiers who had been killed by a ramming attack by a Japanese Tokko pilot in 1945.
Client: Television Nishinippon Corporation, Fukuoka city
Photograph above; from right to left, Mr. Shinsuke Ogata from Television Nishinippon Corporation, Mr. & Mrs. Wells, Robert & Suzanne, Ms. Catherine DiLaura, the younger sister of the late Mr. Pasquale Aina, and Akio Tokunaga
Event Title: Alamak! project in XXI Triennale International Exhibition Milan 2016
Date: March, 2016
Venue: Triennale di Milano, Italy
Position: Installing an art work, Interpreter, and Sales Assistant
Story: invisible designs lab. is one of invited artists for Alamak! project that includes 12 unique artists from Asian countries. A spiral xylophone of KO-TONE series was shown in the exhibition.
Client: invisible designs lab. Fukuoka city
Organizer: Alamak! project directed by Yoichi Nakamuta
Photo above by Alessandro Brasile
Date: March, 2016
Venue: Triennale di Milano, Italy
Position: Installing an art work, Interpreter, and Sales Assistant
Story: invisible designs lab. is one of invited artists for Alamak! project that includes 12 unique artists from Asian countries. A spiral xylophone of KO-TONE series was shown in the exhibition.
Client: invisible designs lab. Fukuoka city
Organizer: Alamak! project directed by Yoichi Nakamuta
Photo above by Alessandro Brasile
Event Title: Dance Marathon in Singapore International Festival of Arts 2015
Date: August, 2015
Venue: Tanjong Pagar Station, Singapore
Position: Translating Tezuka’s script, Interpreting and assisting her stage performance
Story: Natsuko Tezuka was invited to show her piece, “Some Experiments In A Decade And A Half” and to do some workshops in Singapore. I was commissioned by Natsuko Tezuka to translate her scenario for the show and assisted her as an interpreter and assistant stage manager at the performance site in Singapore.
Client: Natsuko Tezuka
Organizer: Directed by Ong Keng Sen, managed by the Arts House Limited and commissioned by the National Arts Council
Date: August, 2015
Venue: Tanjong Pagar Station, Singapore
Position: Translating Tezuka’s script, Interpreting and assisting her stage performance
Story: Natsuko Tezuka was invited to show her piece, “Some Experiments In A Decade And A Half” and to do some workshops in Singapore. I was commissioned by Natsuko Tezuka to translate her scenario for the show and assisted her as an interpreter and assistant stage manager at the performance site in Singapore.
Client: Natsuko Tezuka
Organizer: Directed by Ong Keng Sen, managed by the Arts House Limited and commissioned by the National Arts Council
Event Title: A gift of Hakata-ori textile
Date: May, 2011
Vwnue: JR Hakata City at Hakata station, in Fukuoka city
Position: Exhibition design, making structures for exhibits, and installation
Story: Young Hakata-ori textile artisans showed their original works under the concept of a special gift of brand-new 5 colors as their exhibition of guraduation.
Client: Hakata-ori Development College, Fukuoka city
