Art Aquarium: a breathtaking art installation in Tokyo.
This is the first time I've ever seen goldfish as an artistic medium. Artist Hidetomo Kumura has set up some stunning arrangements of goldfish (kingyou) in beautifully aesthetic tanks with colored illuminations. After 7pm it becomes night aquarium where they turn down the lights and fire up the lasers and fog making the space look like a high-priced disco with hypnotic trance techno throbbing from the sound system. And with the greedy throngs pushing about, it can really feel like a packed nightclub; kids need to go on Dad's shoulders and the meek shall inherit poor views.
At one point, a pair of dancers performed captivating pole dances, wearing goldfish-styled kimonos.
A note: the music is quite good featuring artists like Ken Ishii, Dragon, and Neko Punch; they sold out of the CDs of it...I couldn't get one, and I'tried.
The fish themselves are award-quality specimens, and the overall arrangements and orchestrations of sight and sound make this very much a great work of art and design; not merely a fishy gimmick.
On a Tuesday afternoon, it took us a half hour to get through the line, but once in we easily spent an hour taking in the full experience. Access is not straightforward. It's in the Mitsuisumitomo Hall of the new Coredo 3 building at Mitsukoshimae station. Depending on the turnout, you'll probably start at B1 of Coredo 3, by the A6 exit of the Ginza line. Cue a bit, then receive a card which you'll take up to the top floor where you'll buy your tickets at 1,000 yen. Photography is allowed but no flashes. Good for families. Great for a date; something about this place seemed to be putting everyone in the mood. But again, there were plenty of spellbound families in addition to the amorous couples.
So have a look at some of the photos we took and decide if it's for you or not. Click on any of them to open the gallery and see them in full size. You've got until September 23. They did this last year, so they may do it again next year...I wouldn't take a chance, though. More information at:
http://www.nihonbashi-tokyo.jp/ecoedo2014/
日本橋のナイトアートアクエリアム行って来ました。今まで経験した事のないパフォーマンスとあまりの美しさに超感激。トランスをBGMにシンセサイザーと光のパフォーマンスでのアート鑑賞。見る価値ありです。
