When you hear the word "Sculpture Festival", it seems difficult? Don't you think you can't enjoy it without knowledge? Please wait a minute. The ``Kirameki Art Festival'' is a new art festival that overturns that image. It doesn't matter if you have no prior knowledge or no knowledge of the area. Today, we will introduce the charm of the "Kirameki Art Festival" along with recommendations for walking around the city.
1.What kind of art festival "Kirameki Art Festival" is?
...Eh! Is this a sculpture! ? This may come as a surprise to those coming for the first time. Actually, even though it is called a sculpture, there are many different ways to enjoy it. Some of them are the so-called "sculptures" that you often see in parks and other public places, while others may be ones that use sound, light, or 3D printers. It may become difficult to understand what is a sculpture and what is not...
But that's actually the interesting part. The theme of this year's art festival is "What is sculpture?" It is truly an art festival that considers the diversifying forms of sculpture. Because there is no correct answer, there are works with various colors, shapes, and motifs, so why not take a look at them all at once? It's an art festival.
2. After all, where is the Kirameki Art Festival held?
The Kirameki Art Festival will be held in the so-called "Yanesen" area. Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi districts in the Bunkyo Ward to Taito Ward area of Tokyo. In addition to this, the Ueno Sakuragi area is also one of the holding areas.
All the places with gray pins above are the venues for this sculpture festival. (Please refer to the official website for details.) Since the venue is large, there are actually quite a lot of venues nearby. You can start by getting off at Tokyo Metro Nezu Station or Sendagi Station, or you can start from JR Nippori Station. It's a bit of a walk, but you can also get off at JR Uguisudani Station and start.
If you want to visit all the venues in the most efficient way, we recommend the route from JR Nippori to Tokyo Metro Nezu, or vice versa. If you want to visit other museums and galleries in Ueno, we also recommend JR Ueno Station and Uguisudani.
Congestion is expected on Saturdays and Sundays, so you may want to choose the starting position closest to the venue you want to go to first.
By the way, once you buy a ticket, you can come as many times as you like during the period, so if you have time, you don't have to force yourself to visit in one day.
3. 3 points to enjoy the art festival
Point 1
Thinking about the theme of the Kirameki Art Festival: “What is sculpture?”
Even though it is called "sculpture," the motifs, shapes, and colors of the works exhibited this time are truly diverse. Is this a sculpture? What is it made of? What is the background behind this work? Please think about this while looking at the works. And if you find artists, please talk to them and ask them. You should be able to see a new form of "sculpture" that is not limited to a uniform form.
Point 2
Participate in the Kirameki Art Festival event
There are many events during the sculpture festival. There is an art market led by artists, a talk event to help you think more deeply about "sculpture," and after seeing the works, you can try making your own various kinds of origami workshops etc. There may also be secret events that will be secretly announced via X. Please be sure to check out our official SNS.
Point 3
Enjoy the city where the Kirameki Art Festival is held
Actually, the works at this art festival are not placed in a pure white space of a museum called "White Cube." Sometimes at the dentist, sometimes in a field. This is an art festival in the city that boldly uses the streets of Yanesen and Ueno Sakuragi. So visiting all the venues means walking around town! Why not take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy not only the venue, but also the town where the event will be held? Below, we will introduce some recommended spots that you should definitely visit.
4. Enjoy the gourmet specialties of Yanesen and Ueno Sakuragi while touring the sculpture festival
<Yanaka area>
1.Gelato the day after tomorrow (https://www.instagram.com/asatte_no_gelato/)
A gelato shop tucked away in an alley near Yanaka Ginza. Enjoy winter-limited flavors such as Fuji apple and lemon, which are carefully selected by the region/producer.
3 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo -10-14
Business hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays・Thursday/Friday
<Ueno Sakuragi Area>
2.Taiyaki Toto (https://www.instagram.com/taiyaki_toto/)
Homemade bean paste made with special white sugar Renowned for its clean and elegant taste. The taiyaki skin, which has both a crunchy and chewy texture, is so light that you can eat two or even three pieces, making it perfect for eating while walking! Another recommended point is that the logo is also very cute.
Ueno Sakuragi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 2-10-5 Quinto 1st floor
11:00～17: 00 (Ends as soon as the red bean paste runs out)
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday) )
*Please check the official Instagram for the latest business hours and closed days information
2.5 Cedar
The 100-year-old Himalayan cedar is a symbol of Yanaka. Although its branches were cut off by a typhoon a few years ago, its overwhelming presence is still intact! If you look at the works at the "Kirameki Art Festival", your perspective may change somehow! ?
<Nezu area>
3. Room 101 (https://www.instagram.com/artcafe.room101/< /strong>)
A new art cafe that opened last November on the first floor of "The 5th Floor". Inside the cafe, which is surrounded by forest-inspired interiors and plants, you can enjoy a menu themed to "Herb" and "Spice." After viewing the works, stop by and take a breather.
3 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo -3-9 Hanazono Alley 101
Cafe business hours 12:00 -21:00
Cafe Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
The more you know, the more you enjoy it
Kirameki Art Festival".
What do you want to go?
Comments