“AKIRA ART OF WALL – INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” – 4-Nights Limited Time Only

Together with “渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”) — a project launched through the joint efforts of KDDI Corporation, Shibuya City Tourism Association, and Future Design Shibuya Association — Psychic VR Lab (Headquarters located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Representative Director: Masahiro Yamaguchi), the provider of “STYLY (https://styly.cc)” — a creative platform for creating and publishing VR/AR/MR content — has participated in the production of the digital public art exhibition “AKIRA ART OF WALL – INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” organized by Parco Co., Ltd. (Headquarters located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo).

※The Exhibited Artwork As Seen Through AR

With a special application designed for smartphones, users coming to Shibuya can catch a glimpse of the “AKIRA ART WALL,” which was once used as a temporary construction barricade during Shibuya PARCO’s renovation — a three-year operation which finished in November 2019. The exhibition will be on display for four days, from December 13 to December 16, and will finish at the same time as the debut of “AKIRA ART OF WALL” exhibition.

Exhibition Overview

Date: From December 13 (Fri.) to December 16 (Mon.) — From 17:00 to 21:00

Venue: Within the premise of Shibuya PARCO 1F (15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo)

As it’s held outdoor, the exhibition may be canceled due to bad weather

Viewing the artworks: Users can view and experience the artwork using their smartphones/tablets. By scanning the marker (QR Code) using the specially designed application for mobile devices, users can easily view the artwork which was set up throughout the space.

Organizer: Parco Co., Ltd.

In Cooperation With: Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT (KDDI Corporation, Shibuya City Tourism Association, and Future Design Shibuya Association), Psychic VR Lab

“STYLY” — Application For Smartphones and Mobile Devices

Google Play | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.psychicvrlab.stylymr
App Store | https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id1477168256?mt=8

Project “AKIRA ART WALL”

Photo:TAKAMURADAISUKE

It took the collaboration of two artists, Kosuke Kawamura, a collage artist and Katsuhiro Otomo, a legendary Japanese manga artist, to launch the “AKIRA ART WALL” project to reconstruct “AKIRA,” one of Otomo’s most successful titles. The project took place on a partition wall used as a temporary construction barricade during Shibuya PARCO’s renovation, a three-year operation which finished in November 2019. During the building’s renovation, the project continued to deliver new information to fans around the world, attracting global attention, with the aim to ultimately contribute to the development of the Koen-dori/Spain Slope area in Shibuya. The spot soon became the center of both domestic and global attention, capturing the interest of various distinguished figures. Project “AKIRA ART WALL” is also the winner of the 2018 Good Design Award.

AKIRA ART OF WALL

A majestic collage, the exhibition “AKIRA ART OF WALL by Katsuhiro Otomo × Kosuke Kawamura AKIRA” was organized to celebrate the opening of Shibuya PARCO’s “PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO” (4F) and “GALLERY X” (B1F) — PARCO’s center for disseminating Japan’s unique culture. The exhibition held in GALLERY X ended on December 8.

(1) Venues & Exhibition Period:
The exhibition held in GALLERY X ended on December 8.
PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO (Shibuya PARCO 4F), from November 22, 2019, to December 16, 2019; from 10:00 to 21:00
GALLERY X (Shibuya PARCO B1F), from November 22, 2019, to December 8, 2019; from 11:00 to 21:00
Both of the venues will be closed at 18:00 on the last day of the exhibition.
PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO’s last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

(2) Admission Fees:
 1000 JPY 800 JPY for High School Students or Younger; Free for Preschool Children or Younger

(3) Organizer:
Parco Co. Ltd.,
Exhibition’s Official Website: https://art.parco.jp/museumtokyo/detail/?id=299
©MASH・ROOM/KODANSHA ©Kosuke Kawamura ©︎AKIRA ART OF WALL EXHIBITION
The products, logos, trademarks, and names specified on the website are trademarks or registered products, logos, and trademarks of each respective company.

The exhibition this time was launched with the cooperation from “渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”) and Psychic VR Lab. It was the joint efforts and mutual understanding from all three organizations: Parco, Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT, and Psychic VR Lab which brought the project to life.

 

■“渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”)

 “渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”) is a project launched through the joint efforts of KDDI Corporation, Shibuya City Tourism Association, and Future Design Shibuya Association. Anticipating the coming of 5G technologies, the project utilizes technologies designed for entertainment with an aim to create a new, unique, and interesting image for Shibuya. With its focal point laid on art and music, two main fields of the entertainment industry, the project attempts to create a new culture in addition to promoting urban development in the area.

 

■“INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC”

 “INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” is an AR art platform developed with the “渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”) to allow any users to freely view, evaluate, and support artworks. With technologies and open innovations, the platform aims to create and improve the image of Shibuya via the combination of technologies and entertainment.

Beginning with the concept of “turning the town of Shibuya into a modern museum,” a concept developed during the “渋谷5Gエンタメテック会議 Vol.1” (Shibuya 5G Entertainment × Technologies Conference Vol.1) held in September 2019, “INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” was first organized as an AR art exhibition featuring the various “invisible values” of the town. The exhibition was organized together with the event “WHITE NIGHT WEEK SHIBUYA” which began on November 1, 2019.

As a part of the exhibition, “INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” deployed markers (QR Codes) at various locations within the premise of SHIBUYA CAST. Users can scan these markers with their smartphones or tablets to experience and enjoy the artworks being exhibited. The exhibition laid a foundation, fusing the ordinary life with arts.

With its successes, in the future, “INVISIBLE ART IN PUBLIC” will continue to hold regular exhibitions with an aim to continue developing itself as a platform where anyone and everyone can freely admire, evaluate, and support new creative artworks.

■Psychic VR Lab・STYLY

 “STYLY (https://styly.cc/)” — the VR/AR/MR Creative Platform provided by Psychic VR Lab — was chosen as the main platform for publishing and distributing content for this project. The AR content found in the project was developed through the joint efforts of “Ryu Fujiwara,” a photogrammetrist, and “haqxx,” an artist at Psychic VR Lab. STYLY is a VR/AR/MR Creative Platform developed with an aim to help artists to freely create and express their spaces. From Spring 2020, users will also be able to utilize “STYLY Studio,” a platform developed for creating and publishing VR content, to produce and publish content for AR.

Contact
For Inquiries Regarding Parco and project AKIRA ART OF WALL
Parco Co. Ltd., Public Relations/IR Department: Yoshida TEL: 03-3477-5710

For Inquiries Regarding “渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”)

“渋谷エンタメテック推進プロジェクト” (“Shibuya Entertainment × Technologies Promotion PROJECT”) Email Address: info@fds.or.jp

For Inquiries Regarding STYLY
Psychic VR Lab
Officer in charge: WatanabeEmail: info@psychic-vr-lab.com