The varied cultural programs of the Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL aim to enrich Tokyo’s cultural scene heading into 2020. At the heart of festival are the “Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL Special 13,” thirteen innovative and creative projects chosen from applicants both in Japan and abroad. The winning projects were selected from 2,436 applicants and begin to be revealed in the coming months.
On August 27, 2019, the selected project teams gathered at a presentation forum held at Spiral Hall in Aoyama. Each explained the passion behind their project and ambition for 2020. Fitting for 2020, presentations were held in a “PechaKucha” format20 slides of 20 seconds each.
※The contents of each project are subject to change.
Project proposed by JAPAN DANCE TRUCK ASSOCIATION
Date: September 5 (Thu), 2019 through August, 2020
Using a truck bed as a stage, radical artists in various mediums create site-specific performances that incorporate Tokyo’s unique scenery. Planned to be held at 15 locations around the city.
DANCE TRUCK TOKYO
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/dance-truck/
Project proposed by Rhizomatiks
Date: November 16 (Sat), 2019
A one-night art project utilizing light and sound at Zojoji Temple. A live performance will be held together with an experiential installation that engages participants through the use of the latest geolocation technology.
Light and Sound Installation “Coded Field”
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/rhizomatiks/
Project proposed by Japan Folk Performing Arts Association
Date: April 18 (Sat) – 19 (Sun), 2020
Traditional culture and folk performance from Japan and abroad will come to Hibiya Park. Ahead of the Olympics, this project will connect people through non-verbal performance and appreciation of cultural diversity.
World Performing Arts Festival 2020
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/jfpaa/
Project proposed by NPO TOPPING EAST
Date: “Spring” in mid-April, 2020 / “Summer” in mid-August, 2020
A music and art festival that will unfold along the Sumida River. Artists including KOM_I and Shuta Hasunuma will unveil music, performance, and installations.
SUMIDA RIVER | Storm and Urge (TBD)
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/topping-east/
Project proposed by NPO Dance Archive Network
Date: from April to June, 2020
This project traces the roots of “Butoh” a postwar form of bodily expression, and seeks to carry it forward through reconstruction within an underground space that stores the city’s memories.
TOKYO REAL UNDERGROUND
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/dance-archive-network/
Project proposed by TOKYO SENTO Festival 2020 Executive Committee
Date: May 26 (Tue) – September 6 (Sun), 2020
Sento are traditional bathhouses where local people rest and form community. Participatory events to promote this culture will include collaborations with artists and a contest to visit some of the city’s 550 bathhouses.
TOKYO SENTO Festival 2020
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/tokyo-sento-festival-2020/
Project proposed by Marco Canale (Argentina)
Date: from May to June, 2020
Argentinian theater and film artist Marco Canale will give interviews to elderly residents of Tokyo and produce a roaming theater production with a story based on the memories and experiences of them.
The Speed of Light
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/marco-canale/
Project proposed by ADD Executive Committee
Date: from September, 2019 to August, 2020
In three areas of the city, dancers will open workshops for children to create a multicultural dance that transcends age, gender, nationality, and body type and will aim for a theater performance.
After-school Diversity Dance
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/add/
Project proposed by Pavilion Tokyo 2020 Executive Committee
Date: June 6 (Sat) – September 13 (Fri), 2020
Pavilions designed by 6 leading architects and an artist such as Terunobu Fujimori, Kazuyo Sejima and Makoto Aida, and installed around The New National Studium, will be showcased as the architecture and art of the future.
Pavilion Tokyo 2020
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/pavilion-tokyo-2020/
Project proposed by [mé]
Date: Summer 2020
Contemporary art team [mé]’s art project aims to float an enormous face in the sky over Tokyo. A somebody’s face that will be chosen from about 1,400 applicants will float in the sky over Tokyo in summer 2020.
masayume
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/me/
Project proposed by Jason Bruges Studio (UK)
Date: Summer 2020
Robot arms employing athletic movement will construct an ever-changing zen garden. This installation fusing robot engineering, Japanese gardening, and sports, will be held in Ueno-Park.
The Constant Gardeners
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/jason-bruges-studio/
Project proposed by Exhibition of MANGA “What if Tokyo” Executive Committee
Date: Summer 2020
The number of leading manga artists express what Tokyo means to them through newly-drawn works presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.
Exhibition of MANGA “What if Tokyo”
https://ttf-koubo.jp/en/project/manga-what-if-tokyo/
“Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVALSpecial 13” Official Site
“Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL” Official Site
https://tokyotokyofestival.jp/en/