WIFM

Everyone Welcome at French ‘No Man’s Land’ Space and Territory art themes

In early November, the French Embassy Japan moved to a new location in Tokyo. The old embassy buildings, built in 1957, will be demolished to make way for a residential building, and to commemorate this transition, and to bid au revoir to a long-time landmark, the French Cultural Service and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan have offered “No Man’s Land” to the community. Visitors are invited to view and participate in this community art project in the old Embassy buildings until Jan. 31.

No Man’s Land unites almost 70 artists— mainly French and Japanese but also British and Iranian—and captures every centimeter of vacant offices, basements, corridors, even staircases and the gardens with their inspirations. Art forms range from kinetic to visual and live performances are by world-famous and emerging artists.

Yusuke Iseya and the Rebirth Project can be found at the Rebirth Cafe—an environmentally friendly space with furniture modeled from recycled material.

Shintaro Miyake creates in-situ popular scenes from France and Japan. Everyday office objects become works of art with Kimio Tsuchiya; and other contributions are from Audrey Fondecave and Matthieu Manche. This is how the French diplomatic and business communities give back in a dynamic and diverse interpretation of space and territory: No Man Land’s.