ITOKI, a partner company of the Setouchi Triennale 2022, is lending a mobile office car that was produced through internal crowdfunding to the festival.
Many of you may be wondering why ITOKI is selling cars. Nowadays, the way people work has changed dramatically, and the place where we work is no longer just the office. Isn't it important for workers to be able to choose the place where they can perform best, such as their home or a coworking space?
With the idea that cars could be one option, ITOKI raised funds through in-house crowdfunding to create this mobile office car.
The Setouchi Triennale 2022 will be held over three periods in spring, summer, and autumn. Through the real-life experiences at each period, we hope to provide some insight into new ways of working, such as "What is it like to work in a car? What are Advantage?"
Without further ado, here is our report from the spring session!
▲Shinji Ohmaki “Liminal Air -core-”
Head to Shodoshima in the Seto Inland Sea!
As the spring session draws to a close, we've received information that the mobile office car is being used as a staff car for filming on Shodoshima!
How is it actually being used? Let's head to the site to experience the appeal of the art at the Setouchi Triennale 2022!
▲At Tonosho Port on Shodoshima Island, there is already art. Choi Jeong-hwa's "Gift of the Sun" is inscribed with messages from the island's children to the sea.
While we were there, we were guided by two members of the Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee.
Left: Mr.Goda, Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee *In charge of public relations
Right: Ms.Yuasa, Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee *In charge of corporate sponsorship
The mobile office car was used for a total of 20 days during the spring session and was reportedly very well received by the staff who used it.
We asked Mr.Goda, who says he makes the most use of the mobile office car for interviews and other purposes, what he thought about it...!
Mr.Goda: "In the mobile office car, I often work on my computer between interviews. It's quite spacious, so we sometimes use it as a team. In previous Setouchi Triennale events, we used cars that weren't designed for offices, so I had to work with my computer on my lap, which made it difficult to work comfortably."
That's where our mobile office car comes in.
▲They were assembling the turntable. They looked very experienced.
▲This is a modified Hiace. The interior has a wood-grain pattern and a calm atmosphere. It is equipped with a rotating table and a monitor, so you can work on your computer comfortably! It also has a side awning that can be extended to create a private space.
Mr.Goda: "Mobile office cars are not only functional in that they make it easy to work in, but the stylish exterior and interior designs make me feel excited!"
What nice things to say! Being stylish is an important factor in lifting your spirits, even in the office!
As we were talking, the time for the web conference with the staff in the Takamatsu office approached. I was nervous about whether the web conference connection would work, but it went through without a hitch.
▲ Outside the mobile office car is an olive grove. It's soothing.
The natural background music of birds chirping and ocean waves was very soothing, and it seemed like the web conference itself was held in a peaceful atmosphere from start to finish.
Ms.Yuasa: "It was my first time working on Shodoshima using a mobile office car. I was able to recharge in an open space where I could feel nature, and it was a great time. I feel that I will continue to need time to refresh myself at work like this."
I hope that this will be an opportunity for people in the office to value the time they take to recharge.
Expanding the possibilities of mobile office cars!
They also gave us ideas for new uses.
Mr.Goda: "In the future, I would like to use the mobile office car not only for computer work, but also for events. Also, after using it at the spring session, I realized that choosing where to park the car may be the key to being able to work comfortably."
By researching in advance where to stop and find nice places with good views, you may be able to create a more comfortable and pleasant workspace.
▲We spoke at Angel Road, which appears only twice a day at low tide.
View artworks on Shodoshima Island
This time, the main focus was on the mobile office car, but since we were there, we were also shown around some of the art on Shodoshima's Mito Peninsula. We would like to introduce all of them, but here are three that we would especially like you to visit and see!
The first one is this.
Toshiyasu Ito + Hiroshima City University Art Department Volunteers "Daidara Ultra Bow" - The giant who created Japan's mountains and rivers, planning his next project and taking a short break -
It's 9.5m tall! It was made from stone walls that were removed during construction to widen the road, abandoned ships, and driftwood collected from various places in the Seto Inland Sea. It's recommended to take a photo while relaxing and looking out at the sea in the same pose as the Daidara Ultra Bow!
Next up, here it is!
Julio Goya's "The Story of the Boat" - A disused boat is revived on land -
The artist has taken over boats that are no longer in use due to aging fishermen from their owners and turned them into artworks. Chairs and tables made from logs, driftwood, and fishing gear are placed on the artworks, and the artist's wonderful idea of boats that have completed their role at sea finding a new purpose on land is embodied in the artworks. The artist, Julio Goya, was born in Argentina and currently lives in Okinawa. The origins of his colorful use of colors may lie there. This is a work that makes you feel the power of color.
And finally, here it is!
Toshiyasu Ito + Kana Ko + Hiroshima City University Art Department Volunteers "Shiomimi-so" - Collecting the sounds of waves and boats and letting them echo inside the building -
A horn-shaped sound collector is designed to allow the sounds of waves and boats to resonate throughout the building. A lot of old wood is used, and when you go inside you can see sunlight coming through the gaps and hear the sounds of the waves. You can spend time in a very mystical space.
By creating works using materials that were originally available on the island, art can be created, and this art can attract people and liven up the area. I was able to experience once again the potential of art.
Feeling the roots of the Setouchi Triennale
I'm ashamed to say that I didn't know much about this naturally rich region that now attracts people from all over the world, but when I researched it I was surprised to find out that in the past, illegal industrial waste dumping took place on Teshima, one of the venues for the art festival. I felt that we should not forget that the Setouchi region as it is today is the result of the people of the island struggling for a long time and demanding the elimination of industrial waste and the restoration of nature.
Learning about the idea behind the Setouchi Triennale, "Restoring the Sea," it was a day that made me think about what we can do. Taking action to reduce waste may be one of those things.
In order to reduce the burden on the island, the Setouchi Triennale promoted the idea of bringing back trash and set up eco-stations at ports such as Takamatsu Port to provide places to throw away trash brought back from the island. In addition to bringing back trash, it is also important to be conscious of not generating as much trash as possible.
▲Eco stations installed at Takamatsu Port and other locations.
We covered the packed spring session of the Setouchi Triennale 2022. Spending time in the nature-filled Setouchi region stimulated our five senses and allowed us to make new discoveries and discoveries that were different from our usual routine. We also got to experience the unique appeal of workation using a mobile office car!
▲The sun setting over the Seto Inland Sea as seen from the train on the way home. Next time I'd like to see it from an island.
During the summer, ITOKI employees will also be working remotely on-site. We hope you'll look forward to it!
Finally, a little note. If you are visiting the Setouchi Triennale, please be sure to stop by the merchandise store at Takamatsu Port. The official merchandise designed by graphic designer Hara Kenya is very cute and highly recommended!
▲I also bought a handkerchief and a file made from banana paper and went home!
▲Posters from supporting companies are also on display. (The poster on the left is from ITOKI!)
[Setouchi Triennale Event Information]
Summer session: August 5 (Friday) - September 4 (Sunday) 31 days
Autumn session: Thursday, September 29th - Sunday, November 6th, 39 days
Official website: https://setouchi-artfest.jp/
[Introducing] MOOW, the mobile office car
Although it is different from the specifications that will be loaned out to the Setouchi Triennale, the mobile office car MOOW, which was produced in collaboration with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in April, is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. dealerships within this fiscal year.
