The DANDELION PROJECT has a powerful message: we’re all connected, even during these isolating times. Naked’s interactive art project began in Tokyo, Singapore, and other cities last year, and given their success, locations are now set to open at Heian Shrine in Kyoto and Kumamoto Castle this fall.
The original idea for the project came from artist Ryotaro Muramatsu, who decided to plant (or install) dandelion art pieces worldwide and bring people together to help them bloom. Those participating in the installations are able to send their wishes for world peace on digital dandelion fluff to other locations where DANDELIONs are planted around the world, and these messages are delivered in real-time. Even those unable to attend one of these installations can participate from home on the official website.
With new DANDELION PROJECT locations set to open around Japan, places with historical significance are happy to participate, including Kamigamo Shrine and Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto, Kumamoto Castle, and Kochi Castle. There are plans to hold more events around the world in the near future.
DANDELION PROJECT Locations
Tokyo – Tokyo Tower Main Deck
Tokyo – TBS drama series Japan Sinks: People of Hope Collaboration, Akasaka
Kyoto – Kamigamo Shrine (World Heritage Site)
Kyoto – Ninna-ji Temple (National Treasure/World Heritage Site)
Kyoto – Heian Shrine (Important Cultural Property)
Kyoto – Kosho-ji
Aichi – Kochi Castle (Important Cultural Property)
Saga – Saga Prefectural Observation Hall
Kumamoto – Kumamoto Castle (Important Cultural Property)
Korea – Seoul
RELATED ENTRIES
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Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~, an Exciting Event Combining Video, Music, and Fashion, to Be Held at Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Cultural Heritage Site!
An incredible event combining video, music, and fashion, Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~ will be held at the Tomioka Silk Mill, a National Treasure and World Cultural Heritage Site. The event will be held with support from the city of Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, and will run for approximately two weeks starting on October 6, 2023.
Guests will be able to enjoy the NAKED Yorusampo -Tomioka- and Tomioka Silk Fantasia as they explore the historic site. The special event was directed by renowned international director Junya Yamada in collaboration with NAKED Inc., which continues to captivate audiences with its digital artworks including projection mapping and illuminations.
<NAKED Yorusampo™ -Tomioka->
'NAKED Yorusanpo™' is an outdoor immersive night walk concept by NAKED. Previously, the unique event has been held in various regions, including the Ikaho Onsen town in Gunma Prefecture and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, to promote the nighttime economy of different areas. Even in tourist destinations where businesses tend to close early at night, this event breathes new life into the city's landmarks through illuminations and projection mapping, allowing tourists to make the most of their evenings and supporting measures for dispersed tourism.
Experience NAKED's grand projection mapping, lantern art, and Flower Fortune while enjoying the night at Tomioka Silk Mill, a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
On October 14 and 15, guests can enjoy live music and a fashion show on a special stage in front of the Tomioka Silk Mill’s West Cocoon Warehouse. Live music performers include DE DE MOUSE, a composer, producer, and DJ from Gunma Prefecture; bala, a Tokyo-based creative collective of female artists and creators; and Yasushi Yamabe, a taiko drummer active both in Japan and abroad.
DE DE MOUSE
bala
Taishi Yamabe
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a tour of the area between Jyoshu-Tomioka Station and Tomioka Silk Mill in cooperation with local restaurants and facilities. Please come experience a fantastic night in Tomioka City, where silk and fantasy are woven together in a fusion of images, music, and fashion, as if you have entered a different dimension.
Contents
・NAKED Distance Lanterns®
Introducing NAKED's unique art-inspired lanterns, born during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you take a leisurely stroll with one of these lanterns in hand, the ground comes alive with colors and patterns unique to each location, allowing you to be a part of the mesmerizing light display.
For this event, inspiration was drawn from the location of Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture, which has strong ties to the art of natural dyeing. As a result, five color variations will be available: red, blue, pink, green, and yellow, all inspired by the vibrant hues of plant-based dyes.
*Lantern rentals: ¥500 per turn (Tax Included)
・NAKED Flower Fortune®
Introducing the wildly popular art fortune-telling, NAKED Flower Fortune®, which even ranked high in domestic rapid retweets on X (formerly Twitter). Choose your favorite flower from a variety of colors and shapes, and you'll encounter the perfect message for that moment. The flower ornaments attached to the fortune can be transformed into art by tying them to a wooden branch to make the flowers bloom, making them a great souvenir to take home as a keepsake.
*Price: ¥500 each (Tax Included)
・Tomioka Silk Mill West Cocoon Warehouse
The highlight of this event is the massive projection mapping show on the stage of the national treasure, Tomioka Silk Mill West Cocoon Warehouse, spanning approximately 45 meters in width. As the giant silk wraps around the building, the lush flora of Tomioka bursts forth. After enjoying the changing seasons of nature, step into a nostalgic world featuring retro signs and lanterns. Experience the unique and culturally rich presentation that is characteristic of Tomioka's deep historical heritage.
・Tomioka Silk Fantasia
A special event will unfold at the Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage site. Come enjoy an event featuring artistic direction by renowned director Junya Yamada, a mesmerizing live performance by DE DE MOUSE, a high-art fashion show that seamlessly harmonizes with live music, and a powerful taiko drum performance by Yasushi Yamabe. Additionally, guests can enjoy an energetic performance by the creative collective girls group bala. Projection mapping will enhance the space, adding even more charm to the beautiful Tomioka Silk Mill, where history and the future intersect. From Gunma to the world, immerse yourself over the course of one special night where various cultures can come together to exchange unique experiences and celebrate.
・Tomioka Silk Mill East Cocoon Warehouse Illumination
The Tomioka Silk Mill East Cocoon Warehouse World Heritage site is illuminated, allowing visitors to savor its unique nighttime beauty that differs entirely from daytime. Enjoy the enchanting and fantastical nighttime scenery that you wouldn't typically be able to see.
・The Historic Nirazuka Silk Mill Illumination
The historic Nirazuka Silk Mill is illuminated, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy its beauty in a way that differs from daylight. Enjoy this enchanting and fantastical nighttime scenery that you wouldn't typically be able to see.
・Tomioka Night Gourmet Stroll
A collaborative event with "Tomioka Silk Fantasia - Festival of Silk." We introduce dining and souvenir shops around Tomioka Silk Mill that are open during the event period. Enjoy delicious local cuisine unique to Tomioka.
Presale tickets are now available from ZAIKO and Rakuten Ticket.
Additional information will be announced in the future.
Information
Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~
[Schedule]
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
October 6~8 / 13~15, 18:00~20:00
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
October 14 / 15, 18:00~20:00
<Venue>
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
Tomioka Silk Mill, Former Nirazuka Silk Mill, Shirukuru Square Gazebo (In front of City Hall)
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
Special stage in front of the Tomioka Silk Mill’s West Cocoon Warehouse
[Fees]
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
Viewing Ticket (Standing): ¥1,500 (Tax Included) *Included in event fee on October 14 & 15
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
Presale (Unreserved Seats): ¥4,500 (Tax Included) / Presale (Standing): ¥3,500 (Tax Included)
<Shared>
NAKED Distance Lanterns®: ¥500 (Tax Included) / NAKED Flower Fortune®: ¥500 (Tax Included) / Local Discount *1 / Student Discount *2
*Local Discount *1
・Locals can receive ¥1,000 cash back at the venue by purchasing a ticket and presenting an official ID that verifies their address on the day of the event. Photocopies will not be accepted.
・Limited to those who purchase tickets on the day of the event (Cannot be handled at a later date).
・If you cannot present an ID or proof of address, you will not be eligible for a refund.
*Student Discount
・Must show proof of age (official ID for elementary school students, student ID for junior high and high school students) to receive ¥1,000 cash back at the venue. Photocopies will not be accepted.
・If you cannot present a valid ID, you will not be eligible for a refund.
[Ticket Agencies]
ZAIKO (Digital Tickets only): https://tomiokasilkfantasia.zaiko.io/item/359609
Rakuten Ticket: https://r-t.jp/tomiokasilkfantasia[Performers]
DE DE MOUSE / bala / Taishi Yamabe[Contents]
Projection mapping, fashion show, live music and DJ, illumination, local business participation, etc.[Sponsors]
Tomioka City / Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage RUNWAY Executive Committee[Co-Host]
Tomioka City Tourism Association[Planning and Production]
Channel47 / ASOBISYSTEM[Overall Direction]
David J Production[Spatial Direction]
NAKED / growB Emotions[Performers]
DE DE MOUSE / bala / Taishi Yamabe[Contents]
Projection mapping, fashion show, live music and DJ, illumination, local business participation, etc.
[Sponsors]
Tomioka City / Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage RUNWAY Executive Committee
[Co-Host]
Tomioka City Tourism Association
[Planning and Production]
Channel47 / ASOBISYSTEM
[Overall Direction]
David J Production
[Spatial Direction]
NAKED / growB Emotions
[Video Direction]
Kohei Taki (Only on the 14th/15th)
[Official Website]
https://tomiokasilkfantasia.jp
[Social Media]
Instagram (@tomiokasilkfantasia): https://www.instagram.com/tomiokasilkfantasia/
X (Formerly Twitter) (@silkfantasia): https://twitter.com/silkfantasia
◼︎About Junya Yamada (David J.PRODUCTION)
Junya Yamada presented the stage production “THE SAKE” at the world’s largest theater festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and earned a 5-star rating. In recent years, he has expanded his activities to Asia and served as the overall director for the mega fashion show “TMALL COLLECTION” by China’s largest e-commerce site, TMALL, which is part of the Alibaba Group.
In Japan, Junya Yamada has been involved in various large-scale entertainment productions, including “Tokyo Hanabi Taikai EDOMODE,” “Hatsune Miku × Kodo Special Live,” and the stage production “INSPIRE Onmyoji,” starring Takao Osawa. His work spans a wide range of fields, including traditional performing arts, music events, fireworks displays, combat sports, theater, and cultural events, showcasing the diversity of his creative endeavors.
David J.PRODUCTION: https://davidjpro.com/
◼︎About NAKED, INC.
Founded in 1997 by Ryoitaro Muramatsu, a creative company known for its dedication to the philosophy of ‘Core Creative, Total Creation, and Borderless Creativity.’ Operating across various genres, the company has been actively engaged in a wide range of activities. In recent years, they have been creating diverse experiences that blend the realms of the real and the virtual. Their work spans across art, entertainment, culture, tradition, education, music, urban development, food, sports, and every facet of life, generating new experiences and value.
Starting in 2022, they have embarked on a project called ‘NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO,’ focusing on Kyoto’s metaverse and AR/VR initiatives to deliver cultural expression and art experiences that bridge the virtual and the real.
Some of their notable projects include the Tokyo Station Projection Mapping ‘TOKYO HIKARI VISION,’ the immersive flower art exhibition ‘NAKED FLOWERS’ held at world heritage sites like Nijo Castle and in cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong, the music experience ‘HUMANOID DJ’ created by artificial intelligence (AI), the experiential restaurant ‘TREE by NAKED yoyogi park,’ and ‘Sakura Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen’ among others.
NAKED, INC.: https://naked.co.jp
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The Tokyo-based girl artists and creators' collective bala has finally launched for real! The group will release its first single barla on March 8. bala consists of MANON, SUNNY ONLY 1, DAN, and KANO, each with their own global background. The project aims to resonate with Gen Z youth culture and to be a collective of artists that connects hybrid Japanese pop culture with audiences around the world. The debut song barla was produced by Shinichi Osawa, who has numerous hits under the name Mondo Grosso. It was co-written by Kenmochi Hidefumi from Wednesday Campanella. With Y2K culture making a comeback around the world, the track features the house sound popular in the late 90s which is showing signs of becoming the next musical trend yet again. The groovy dance tune is a perfect theme song for these girls who will lead the next generation of pop culture. <Comment from Shinichi Osawa> “I’m honored to be involved in bala’s debut. The members are super unique, and collaborating with Kenmochi-san for the first time was a dream come true.” <Comment from Kenmochi Hidefumi> “I’m happy to be able to work with the members of bala and Shinichi Osawa. Everyone is so uniquely talented, and this song is filled with everyone's energy and excitement inspired by their long-awaited debut!”
Information
bala 1st Single「barla」
配信日:2023年3月8日(水)
配信URL:https://orcd.co/barla
【About bala】
東京を拠点に活動するガールズ・アーティストとクリエイターによるコレクティブ・balaは、MANON、SUNNY ONLY1、DAN、KANOの4人からなるクリエイティブ集団。
世界で同時多発的に進行している様々なZ世代ユースカルチャーと共鳴しながら、DNAに組み込まれた日本発のポップカルチャーと融合させたハイブリッドな表現を目指し、グローバルに発信していくことをコンセプトに活動する。
また3Dアバターキャラクター「Barla」を介し、次世代インターネット「WEB 3.0」など、積極的にエッジテックを活用した次世代のクリエイティブにも取り組んでいく。
ポップミュージックのフィールドに限らず、彼女たちの世界観を共有する様々なアーティスト、クリエイターが集うクリエイティヴ・プラットフォームとして機能することで、ポップカルチャーにおける新たなエコシステムへの発展を目指していく。
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@bala_official_japan
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bala_official_japan/
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Art collective TeamLab has redesigned two exhibitions at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The world’s first permanent exhibition from the creators, Future World: Where Art Meets Science, was opened in 2016 at the Museum of Art and Science. Guests can now enjoy three new works along with the Digital Light Canvas, a huge, interactive space inviting guests to share their own pieces of art.
Drawing Flight
Visitors can immerse themselves in these impressive new works while experiencing a complex, three-dimensional world. They can also create new worlds with others!Future World
The Drawing Flight, part of the Amusement Park of the Future series, is based on the concept of co-creation, allowing visitors to not only draw an airplane that will fly but also allowing them to operate it from a pilot's point of view using a tablet. Whether visitors draw a butterfly or a hawk, they’ll see the world from the perspective of each creature and enter a world constructed by the creature's unique perceptions.Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds
In Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds, guests are asked to perceive the world with their entire bodies. Visitors cross a space with sticks floating three-dimensionally in the air.Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self
Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self offers a new and abstract concept. As people touch the dots, the rhythm of the dots flickers and their hue changes and disintegrates. The picture will then change dramatically, and despite these changes, the beauty remains.Digital Light Canvas
Digital Light Canvas is a space consisting of a 15-meter-diameter circular link of light and a 20-meter-high cylinder of light made up of a collection of light dots. Team Lab's interactive artwork, which changes depending on how many people are around, is on permanent display.Graffiti Nature - Red List Digital Light Canvas Drawing Factory
By visiting the Digital Light Canvas area, guests can also enjoy the Drawing Factory, where they can turn their own drawings into pins, T-shirts, and other items! Come fully experience this curious art exhibition!© チームラボ -
Yoshitaka Amano, known by international fans as the artist behind the legendary Final Fantasy video game series, is celebrating his 70th birthday with a unique art project from November 23 until December 8 at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto.
On the first day of the event, the venue, decorated with autumn leaves, was crowded with visitors including foreign tourists, who marveled at the fantastic space filled harmoniously with gold and blue. The exhibition will be held at Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This collection of works was designed to question visitors’ sensibilities and provide a new kind of art exhibition for fans to enjoy. After the exhibition, the main art piece by Yoshitaka himself will be converted to 3DCG, and a Virtual Golden World will be developed in collaboration with the Yoshitaka Amano VR Museum. By integrating traditional and modern art methods, guests will be able to engage more deeply in the art by enjoying digital works, the metaverse, and NFTs. Don't miss this curious exhibition! Information
Golden World: Infinite Light by Yoshitaka Amano
~GOLDEN VIEW OF THE WORLD~
Running: November 23 – December 8, 2022
Venue: Myoshin-ji
Hours: 9:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:00
Tickets on sale until 15:30 each day.
Official Site: https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
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From December 10 until December 18, 2022, creative company NAKED will hold NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO at Ninna-ji! The event is part of a larger next-generation art project being held around Kyoto until Christmas Day. This exhibition marks the first metaverse-centered event at Ninna-ji, and guests will be able to enjoy a virtual fashion show in collaboration with Jotaro Saito, a kimono designer from Kyoto. Participants will begin by creating their own avatar by snapping a photo of their face. After that, they will be able to choose a kimono by Saito to use as clothing for their avatar before taking to the runway with other visitors from all around Japan. NAKED’s goal is to bring traditional Japanese kimono culture into the digital space, and the company believes that this is only the beginning. In the future, NAKED hopes to bring other artists into the metaverse as well. NAKED Distanced Lanterns
NAKED Tsukubai Five-Storied Pagoda Projection Mapping DANDELION PROJECT Virtual Fashion Show Limited Edition Paper Goshuin This year’s event also includes the DANDELION PROJECT, popular with art fans around the world. Created by Ryotaro Muramatsu, the art project has appeared in a number of towns and cities around the world, inviting participants to create flowers and send them around the globe digitally as a hope for peace. Visitors can use their smartphones to send dandelion fluff digitally to other participants around the world, sharing a wish for world peace. This year, the participatory art piece was installed in the main temple. Why not visit this stunning exhibition in Kyoto this winter? Information
NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Ninna-ji
Venue: Ninna-ji (Five-storied Pagoda, Main Temple)
Running: December 10 – December 18, 2022
*No admission on December 17 due to a private event.
Hours: 17:30-21:30 *Last entry at 21:00
Official Site: https://garden.naked.works/kyoto/ -
Creative company NAKED has announced TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA ~2022 Winter~, an event bringing some incredible projection mapping technology to the main deck of the legendary Tokyo landmark. The event will start on November 18 and will invite guests to enjoy an illuminated winter night from far above the city.
*Concept Image NAKED has created some unique night-viewing experiences at Tokyo Tower in the past, combining the already beautiful cityscape with some new and exciting graphics themed for each season. For winter 2022, butterflies will take to the chilly night sky one after another, creating a show like no other for its three-minute span. This also serves as a great photo opportunity! Enjoy Tokyo as it begins to shine for the holiday season! Information
TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA ~2022 Winter~
Venue: Tokyo Tower Main Deck 2F, North Floor
Running: November 18, 2022 – February 12, 2023
Hours: 18:00~Close
Admission: Guests can enjoy the event by paying the standard price to visit the observation deck.Official Site: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/