The last thing one would expect at the world’s busiest station is a resting area. As the heartbeat of Japan, Shinjuku East Square now welcomes frequent travelers with a community art park that allows one to truly take a breather. Created by Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama in collaboration with East Japan Railway Company (JR), the … Continued
I have never felt how immensely important art is to me until this year. Even when I was not confined in a physical space, I find myself struggling to step out of a mentally-created box. This boundary, of which I believe a lot of us have set for ourselves, is a way to remain sane … Continued
Do you ever spare the time to stop and read signs anymore? Though contemporary signs are quite uniform and do not reveal much of a story, historical signages are doors into different histories. Upon decommissioning in 2006, a collection of historical signages has been left intact in the Declared Monuments. These signs have served different … Continued
Ever since there has been trading in the history of mankind, different cultures have inevitably been interwoven together. Even though one can argue it wasn’t until the internet has been commercialized have we truly experienced globalization, the point is that whether in the East or the West, we all undoubtedly share common experiences. Now that … Continued
The following interview is not a romantic love story, which is why I have debated for quite a while if this is the right title. But when he mentioned the memories of the jjajangmyeon and the girls who broke his heart as one of his inspirations, it instantly lit up something in me. Yes, his … Continued
I have to admit I’ve been feeling quite dead inside. A simple glimpse of sun rays shining through is enough to uplift my quarantine mood. Here are some objects that can make my soul feel closer to being alive again. Ecofriendly collections “I Am A Plastic Bag” by Anya Hindmarch and Palladium is perfect for bringing a smile … Continued
Abstract objects are interconnected by joints, which sprawls like a stretched limb. The integrated web of handrails, bowling pins, and more infiltrates and interacts with the occupied architecture, as though the two are negotiating for their share of the space. While outside, you see and hear a conglomerate of pieces of equipment and their sounds, … Continued
84000 : Translating the Words of the Buddha Although I am not religious myself, I very much enjoy reading religious stories. I am fascinated by tales such as the Ramayana and teachings of the Buddha, but these wisdom-packed stories are complex to understand, even if I can read the language or the translated versions. Imagine, therefore, how … Continued
The ‘every day’ has always been an interesting subject to me, though it usually slips most people’s minds. It has always been the extravagance that seems to catch people’s attention. However, it is truly through the mundane where people find real connections. Whether it’d be the objects that bring you joy; the notion of hygge; … Continued
If the premise of culture is representation, then the promise of cultural exchange — as one might reasonably suppose — is understanding. But what underlies this promise of understanding? Tsubasa Kato went to a small island that lies between Korea and Japan to perform a simple task with a fellow Korean. They do not speak … Continued
