MINIASCAPE

The miniascape was built in Kanagawa Arts Theatre by the Chinese artists Xiao Ke and Zi Han in the twenty seventh year of Heisei (2015 A.D.), commissioned by TPAM 2015. The landscape covers 144 square meters, and the total design meticulously incorporates minimalism and chaos. The two artists spent two months for research for this creation, and interviewed nearly thirty Japanese people whose ages and occupations varied. Through the research, they deepened their understanding of the life in Japan, refined and transformed it into abstract forms and, moreover, employed Chinese elements. The influence of the Japanese philosophy of the karesansui style and bonsai on the design is obvious, and it reflects the impact of the earthquake, tsunami and the dispersion of radioactive materials on the Japanese daily life.

However, since February 2015 A.D., the two artists gradually removed the direct influence from the Japanese references and established their own artistic style. The miniascape represents such virtues of Japanese society as safety, patience and inclusiveness and promotes the spirit of international friendship, which makes it a perfect propaganda model for Tokyo Olympic Games.

Concept_ XIAO KE x ZI HAN

Choreography_ Xiao Ke

Music & Video_ Zi Han

Lighting Design_ Maki Ueyama (Kanagawa Arts Theatre)

Sound Design_ Minoru Motomura (Kanagawa Arts Theatre)

Stage Manager_ Junichi Takahashi

Performance_ Xiao Ke, Zi Han

Artist in Residence Coordinate_ Hitomi Oyama

Photo_ Hideto Maezawa

Organized by_ PARC – Japan Center Pacific Basin Arts Communication, Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama 2015 Executive Committee Performing Arts AIR Meeting@TPAM 2015

Supported by_ The Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan in the fiscal 2014

Co-operated by_ The Saison Foundation, Higashiyama Artists Placement Service (HAPS), KAIKA