Every Friday, in the far back corner of the Sabaku no bara in Tokyo’s Ginza, some of Japan’s most off-the-cuff and avant garde performers put on a variety of gigs, sets and parties. Later this month, on the 25th, artist Koen Yokoi will be adding her artistic touch.
Rather than DJ decks, however, she will be bringing all manner of greenery. Amongst that you can expect to find colorful roses, tulips and lilies as well as more than a few snapdragons and chrysanthemums.
A sharp pair of clippers, pails of water and florist foam will be close at hand, too.
Her job: to create inspiring set pieces that evoke images of Japanese history and myth – and to form the setting for the latest performance by Bugaku.
Bugaku is a dynamic and stylish performing art that combines traditional musical instruments with various dances, simulated fighting that includes Chinese martial arts, tae kwon do, and the latest acrobatic martial-arts such as XMA (extreme martial arts) – all to tell a tale designed to evoke traditional myth. Check the video for a bit of clarity:
And for a look at the work of Koen Yokoi, here is a highlight of her past exhibitions:
Event:
PREMIUM ROSE
Date: February 2/25 (Fri) at 22:00
Entry: 2,500 yen
Venue: Ginza Sabaku no Bara, Chuo-ku Ginza 2-3-6 Namiki Douri Building 6F