ITOKI, a partner company of the Setouchi Triennale 2022, is lending a mobile office car that was built through in-house crowdfunding to the festival.
During the Spring Session, we had the opportunity to visit Shodoshima and see the Mobile Office Cars being used as staff cars. Click here to read the report from the Spring Session.
ITOKI's special mobile office car! Heading to the Setouchi Triennale 2022 (Spring session)
During the summer session, on the first day, we experienced the "Koebi-tai" as corporate volunteers, and on the second day, we did a workcation with a mobile office car on Ogijima Island. This time, we will bring you plenty of photos of the first day!
Day 1 | Volunteer [What is the Koebi-tai?]
▲ Information about the Koebi-tai
[What is the Koebi-tai? What does the name mean?]
"The Koebi-tai volunteer support the Setouchi Triennale, a globally renowned festival that has attracted a record number of visitors, and is known worldwide. Many small shrimp swim happily in the Seto Inland Sea. Because they can be caught in large quantities, shrimp dishes are very popular on the menu at homes and izakayas along the Setouchi coast. The Koebi-tai was named after shrimp, as they are loved by everyone and fly around the islands cheerfully and energetically. (From the Koebi-tai website)"
This time, while communicating with the Setouchi Triennale secretariat as a partner company, we learned that they were recruiting volunteers called Koebi-tai. As a partner company, ITOKI, we wanted to try this out! So four members from our department (Kawashima, Kondo, Ashiga, and Uehara) decided to participate and do some workcation.
In fact, it was the first time for all of us to experience full-scale volunteer work. As we applied and received the volunteer details from the Koebi-tai staff, we were honestly a little worried because it looked quite hard (long hours at the reception desk from early in the morning in the scorching heat, bringing 2 liters of drinks, etc.).
The Koebi-tai had an early morning!
Still, on the day of the event, I was excited about my first experience working at the reception desk for the art festival. I headed to Takamatsu Port at 7:10am, carrying the 2 liter drink that was listed as part of the belongings list.
▲We were worried about the weather as a typhoon was approaching, but we were relieved that there was no rain and it wasn't too hot, just perfect weather for the Koebi-tai!
(The two colorful poles in the background of the photo are a work by Shinji Ohmaki called "Liminal Air -core-")
At the meeting point, corporate volunteers, university students, local residents, and others, like us, began to gather one after another. At the morning assembly, the Koebi-tai staff explained to us the type of passport needed to appreciate the artworks, and how to use the newly installed digital passport reader and paper passport scanner.
After the morning assembly, we split up into groups based on the islands and learned more about the registration process. We were surprised at the number of different passports, and while listening to the explanation, we also learned for the first time that there is a "children's passport." (At the Setouchi Triennale, people under the age of 15 can view the artworks for free, with some exceptions, in order to help children become more familiar with the sea and islands and enjoy the artworks.)
▲"Meon" connects the two small islands of Megijima and Ogijima.
The design is based on the image of a small, striped boat sailing between the small islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
As we checked our belongings, the ferry departure time approached. We each set off for the island where the art works were to be featured. We split up into two groups, Megijima and Shodoshima, and were in charge of accepting the art works.
To Megijima
First, let's take a look at Megijima. We took a ferry from Takamatsu Port and headed to Megijima in about 20 minutes. While talking to the staff, I learned that Ms. Kosuge, a staff member, is mainly involved in the management of the Oku-Noto Triennale, which will be held in Ishikawa Prefecture next year.
▲Ms. Kosuge from Support Suzu General Incorporated Association, this was his last day as a Koebi-tai staff member.
This time, he is coming to the Setouchi Triennale as a staff member for five days to learn about how the Koebi-tai is run. The Oku-Noto Triennale is also looking for volunteer supporters, so if you are interested, please check out their website.
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Support Suzu
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While we were talking, we arrived at Megijima!
There are many seagull sculptures on the breakwater of the port. There are about 300 of them. It is said that the seagulls' direction is to visualize the shape of the invisible wind. It's so cute.
▲ Seagull Parking Lot / Work by Takahito Kimura (photo left)
▲We were feeling excited as we listened to the explanation (photo right)
We arrived at the island. After receiving an explanation of contact details, we moved to our assigned art venues. While we were moving, we found interesting art here and there. It was fun just walking around.
▲Recollections of the 20th Century / A work by Tokutaka Tonoue. The weather makes it even more impressive (photo left)
▲Although it's not a work of art, I found a cute illustration of Megijima's other name, "Onigashima" (Demon Island)! (Photo right)
The three venues we were in charge of on Megijima were "The Presence of Absence," "Mekon," and "Megijima Meitengai." We were beginners, and we worked in pairs with veterans and members of the Koebi-tai from Kagawa Prefecture. The Koebi-tai's main responsibilities were preparing and cleaning the venue, checking visitors' passports, selling tickets, introducing the works, and finally locking up the doors. At first we were anxious as there were so many different types of passports, both paper and digital, but as we handled more we got more comfortable and started to enjoy talking to the visitors.
Let's take a look at each one!
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The Presence of Absence / Work by Leandro Erlich
"Create a space where customers can meet and share"
Two artworks were installed in a renovated vacant house. The interactive artwork has the theme of visualizing absence. It also includes a library. (Quoted from the official website)
▲This white sand actually moves. This is a piece that you should listen carefully to while appreciating it.
▲At first glance, it looks like an ordinary Japanese-style room. But...
▲This piece was created by Ms.Kawashima. It looks great!
Mekon (female genitals) / Work by Shinro Ohtake
"From the school building to the schoolyard, Otake's style is everywhere."
Around a large palm tree that grew on the island, tile mosaics, crocodile objects, ship materials, etc. are arranged. The closed elementary school, plants, and artworks resonate with each other. (Quoted from the official website)
▲A palm tree is rooted in a bright red buoy (nautical marker). It took about a year to root it. This work is being displayed in the courtyard of Megi Elementary School, which is currently closed. The colors and the strong plants are impressive.
▲The plants collected by plant hunter Nishihata were thriving.
▲Mr.Uehara was in charge of this piece. He's gotten used to working at the reception desk and is now checking paper passports!
Megijima Shopping District
This is a charming select shop that has been added to the "Small Shop on the Island" project that began at the seaside Kotobuki-so in 2019, with new artists and stores joining in preparation for the art festival in 2022. All of the works are wonderful, but this time we will introduce two of the best!
Recycle shop replica ruins / Works by Junko Gosho
"A place where people interact through objects and the stories contained within them intersect."
Items collected from inside and outside the island are embedded in plaster walls, some with written records of their origins, and are then exhibited and sold. Items sold are peeled off the walls, leaving behind traces. An attempt at communication in an age when physical contact between people is restricted. (Quoted from the official website)
▲The explanation written directly on the floor at the entrance is also artistic (photo left)
▲The wide open windows look like a painting. It is said that it is rare to be able to see "Meon" from here (photo right).
▲ Peel off the item you want to buy from here. It's a strange feeling that even after the item is gone, a trace remains (photo left)
▲The plaster wall that was sold out will actually be used as the wall of the room (photo right)
Onigashima Pikapika Center / Iwasawa Brothers
"A recycling center that turns discarded items into lighting fixtures"
Shiny lighting fixtures will be made from items left behind at Kotobuki-so and items found on the island, and will be displayed and sold in the store. There are also plans to provide a processing service during the event, such as turning unwanted items brought in by islanders and visitors into lamp shades. (Quoted from the official website)
▲I was surprised by the unique lighting fixtures (photo left)
▲There are many familiar shopping bags. They are lit up in soft colors (photo right).
▲This is Mr.Kondo, who was in charge of this piece. He's handing out the pamphlet!
To Shodoshima
Here, I was in charge of a highly anticipated work that was released during the summer session.
Zero / Wang Wen-chih's work
"Experience a spiritual space of harmony where you become one with nature"
It is a sphere with a diameter of about 15 meters, made from about 4,000 bamboos. Enter, roll on the floor, and experience a "spiritual space of harmony" where you are protected in body and mind and become one with nature. Spend a truly relaxing time while enjoying the view of the Senmaida rice fields. The title "Zero" expresses the wish to return to a primitive Planet, free from excessive destruction. (Quoted from the official website)
▲The work blends in with the scenery.
▲It was created together with the local community. Just looking at the light and shadows makes for a very pleasant space. Is this also the work of nature?
▲This is Mr. Ashiga who was in charge of this. This is Angel Road, which also appeared in the spring session.
Many wonderful encounters
Mr. Uemura, a member of the Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee (in charge of Megijima)
This is the 5th art festival, and it seems that there are new challenges every time it is held, but this year is the first since COVID-19, so they worked hard to run it in a completely different way than past events. They visited each work throughout the day and supported the Koebi-tai.
Mr. Kobayashi from Megijima's famous shopping arcade
Hana Kobayashi, a university student, lived and worked at Megijima Meitengai during the summer season.
Legendary Koebi no Masuda-san
Masuda is a veteran who is revered as a legend by his fellow Koebi.
On this day, salt gelato will be served at Megijima Meitengai!
Group photo of the Megijima Meitengai staff
This is a one-off team, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We also have Kentaro Yanagi, the artist behind the Glass Fishing Tackle Shop at Megijima's Meitengai shopping arcade.
End of Day 1
What did you think of the Koebi-tai experience? It was a very fulfilling day that started at 7am and seemed to go by in a flash, yet at the same time felt long. The ITOKI members who participated commented that they were glad they participated, saying things like, "It was a turning point that completely changed my image of volunteer work that I had before participating!", "The air on the island surrounded by the calm Seto Inland Sea was gentle and it really recharged my soul," and "Everyone who came to see the works had a smile on their face, so it was worth it!"
I am also thinking about taking this opportunity to try other volunteer work. It might be a good idea to start with a field or area that you are interested in. The Koebi-tai is highly recommended for beginners as the people around you are very supportive!
Next time, we'll be working remotely on Ogijima Island on the second day. We'll also be introducing the mobile office car, so look forward to it!
[Setouchi Triennale 2022 Event Information]
Dates:
Spring session: April 14 (Thursday) - May 18 (Wednesday) *Ended
Summer session: August 5 (Friday) - September 4 (Sunday) *Ended
Autumn session: Thursday, September 29th - Sunday, November 6th, 39 days
venue:
12 islands in the Seto Inland Sea + Takamatsu and Uno
Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Inujima, Shamijima (spring only) /
Main island (autumn only) / Takamijima (autumn only) / Awashima (autumn only) / Ibukijima (autumn only) / Around Takamatsu Port and Uno Port
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.
