Exploring Humor in the Urban Landscape at GAKU's Latest Exhibition
GAKU, a unique learning hub for teenagers, is set to host an intriguing exhibition titled 'Humor in the City' from June 13 to June 21, 2026. This event aims to explore the intersection of creativity and humor in urban settings through various visual expressions such as video and graphic arts. In an attempt to see if humor can find a place in the city, this exhibition brings forth a range of projects created during classes led by prominent figures in the creative industry, including graphic designer and art director Aiko Koike, and filmmaker Reiji Saito.
The exhibition's culmination will be marked by a talk session on June 21, where both instructors will reflect on the creative processes of their students and delve into the future of urban culture and creativity.
Exhibition Details:
Participating students include Kazuma Iimi, Miku Inoue, Chako Ueno, Sakura Ota, along with many others from both classes — 'Expanding Graphic Design' and 'Urban Video Collective'. Each student brings their unique approach and creativity into their works.
In the 'Urban Video Collective' class, students were encouraged to think about the act of filming as a means of living rather than merely creating art. This approach involved continuous filming of urban life and personal reflections through diaries, ultimately leading to a nuanced understanding of what is represented on screen and what remains unseen.
The 'Expanding Graphic Design' class started with a playful game of 'shiritori', allowing students to draw inspiration from everyday objects and surroundings in Nihonbashi. This organic exercise evolved into a collection of graphic designs presented in various forms.
Moreover, within the 'Expanding Graphic Design' class, students collaborated to create motion graphics based on the theme 'New Humor'. They incorporated personal narratives and references into their designs, addressing the potential meanings embedded in their work.
The location for the exhibition is significant as it is within a redevelopment area in Nihonbashi, reflecting the continuous transformation of urban spaces. The digitally projected artwork at the Edosakura Street underground signage serves to bridge the gap between traditional art display formats and modern digital platforms.
The concluding talk session, titled 'Is Humor in the City Possible?', will be moderated by Akihito Kumai, GAKU's office director. Koike and Saito will share insights from their creative practices, discussing how to blend personal experiences with spontaneous inspiration from the city. The talk aims to unravel the essence of urban humor and explore its significance in contemporary culture.
Talk Session Details:
Guest Profiles:
Aiko Koike - A graphic designer and art director born in 1989 in Tokyo. After graduating from Central Saint Martins University, she worked at village® and later became independent in 2016. She has directed various art projects, including those for Shibuya PARCO and KYOEN.
Reiji Saito - A filmmaker born in 1987 in Tokyo. Since 2008, he has created works using a large collection of daily photographs and videos, transforming fragmented imagery into compelling narratives presented at numerous exhibitions and film festivals.
Special Sponsors:
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Visit Mitsui Fudosan
Organizer:
GAKU is a creative educational platform for teens, offering diverse classes led by acclaimed creators from various fields such as music, architecture, food, fashion, design, and art. The center is located on the 9th floor of Shibuya PARCO, Shibuya, Tokyo, managed by LOGS Inc.
The exhibition's culmination will be marked by a talk session on June 21, where both instructors will reflect on the creative processes of their students and delve into the future of urban culture and creativity.
Exhibition Details:
- - Dates: June 13 (Saturday) through June 21 (Sunday), 2026
- - Hours: Weekdays from 16:00 to 20:00, Weekends from 13:00 to 20:00
- - Opening on June 13: Doors open at 16:00
- - Closing on June 21: Last entry at 16:00
- - Location: Special exhibition space on the first floor of the Miayanagi Building, 1-10-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, and digital signage in the underground walkway of Edosakura Street, directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
- - Admission: Free for all, no reservation required.
Participating students include Kazuma Iimi, Miku Inoue, Chako Ueno, Sakura Ota, along with many others from both classes — 'Expanding Graphic Design' and 'Urban Video Collective'. Each student brings their unique approach and creativity into their works.
In the 'Urban Video Collective' class, students were encouraged to think about the act of filming as a means of living rather than merely creating art. This approach involved continuous filming of urban life and personal reflections through diaries, ultimately leading to a nuanced understanding of what is represented on screen and what remains unseen.
The 'Expanding Graphic Design' class started with a playful game of 'shiritori', allowing students to draw inspiration from everyday objects and surroundings in Nihonbashi. This organic exercise evolved into a collection of graphic designs presented in various forms.
Moreover, within the 'Expanding Graphic Design' class, students collaborated to create motion graphics based on the theme 'New Humor'. They incorporated personal narratives and references into their designs, addressing the potential meanings embedded in their work.
The location for the exhibition is significant as it is within a redevelopment area in Nihonbashi, reflecting the continuous transformation of urban spaces. The digitally projected artwork at the Edosakura Street underground signage serves to bridge the gap between traditional art display formats and modern digital platforms.
The concluding talk session, titled 'Is Humor in the City Possible?', will be moderated by Akihito Kumai, GAKU's office director. Koike and Saito will share insights from their creative practices, discussing how to blend personal experiences with spontaneous inspiration from the city. The talk aims to unravel the essence of urban humor and explore its significance in contemporary culture.
Talk Session Details:
- - Date: June 21 (Sunday), 2026
- - Time: Doors open at 16:00, the session starts at 16:30 and concludes at 19:00
- - Location: +NARU NIHONBASHI, 1-4-12 Honcho, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
- - Admission: Free for all, pre-registration encouraged.
Guest Profiles:
Aiko Koike - A graphic designer and art director born in 1989 in Tokyo. After graduating from Central Saint Martins University, she worked at village® and later became independent in 2016. She has directed various art projects, including those for Shibuya PARCO and KYOEN.
Reiji Saito - A filmmaker born in 1987 in Tokyo. Since 2008, he has created works using a large collection of daily photographs and videos, transforming fragmented imagery into compelling narratives presented at numerous exhibitions and film festivals.
Special Sponsors:
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Visit Mitsui Fudosan
Organizer:
GAKU is a creative educational platform for teens, offering diverse classes led by acclaimed creators from various fields such as music, architecture, food, fashion, design, and art. The center is located on the 9th floor of Shibuya PARCO, Shibuya, Tokyo, managed by LOGS Inc.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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