#Japan #Tokyo #Nihonbashi #Creative Education #Humor in the City

Introduction

The 'Humor in the City' project has been launched in the Nihonbashi area, aiming to explore creativity and education through a unique lens of humor. The project seeks to investigate whether humor can thrive in an urban setting while providing a collaborative platform for teenagers and professional creators.

Project Overview

Project Name: Humor in the City

This year, the project will focus on visual expressions such as video and design within the Nihonbashi region, emphasizing the practice of embedding creativity into the urban landscape. Works produced through this initiative will not only be showcased publicly in areas like Nihonbashi but will also lead to a public talk event titled 'Humor and Visual Expression in the City.' This event aims to foster discussions about the relationship between urban development and creative endeavors.

Classes Offered

1. Urban Film Class

Instructor: Reiji Saito (Filmmaker)
Duration: March 2026 - June 2026 (6 sessions + exhibition)
Location: Nihonbashi Area
Target Audience: Teenagers (middle school and above)
Capacity: Approximately 10 participants
Participation Fee: Free

In this class, participants will explore the humor found in collective urban experiences. They will learn about video expression through the lens of societal interactions and the layered histories that shape our cities. As technological advancements render video production more accessible, there is an increasing need to address both individual and collective narratives. The final outputs will be presented as a collective archive, capturing the essence and humor of urban life.

2. Graphic Design Expansion Class

Instructor: Aiko Koike (Graphic Designer and Art Director)
Duration: March 2026 - May 2026 (6 sessions + exhibition)
Location: Nihonbashi Area
Target Audience: Teenagers (middle school and above)
Capacity: Approximately 10 participants
Participation Fee: Free

This course aims to uncover humor in the urban landscape through graphic design. Participants will engage with the city as more than a backdrop; it will serve as a primary source of inspiration. The class emphasizes understanding the connection between design output and its visibility in the public realm, encouraging students to reflect on how their work is perceived by the community.

Kick-Off Talk

Event: Humor in the City and Visual Expression

Date: March 21, 2026 (Saturday) 16:00 - 18:30
Venue: Miyanaga Building, 1-10-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (subject to confirmation)
Target Audience: Open to everyone
Capacity: Approximately 20 participants (first-come-first-served basis)
Participation Fee: Free
Speakers: Reiji Saito, Aiko Koike
Moderator: Koichi Kumai (Director of GAKU)

Organizers and Sponsors

The project is organized by GAKU, which is dedicated to providing creative education for teenagers through workshops led by various skilled professionals in arts. Special sponsorship for the project comes from Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Profiles of Instructors

Reiji Saito

Born in Tokyo in 1987, Reiji Saito has developed a strong portfolio of audiovisual projects using vast amounts of photos and videos. His work is noted for its abstract approach, often blurring the lines between paintings and sculptures.

Aiko Koike

Aiko Koike, born in 1989, graduated from Central Saint Martins in the UK. After working with village®, she has contributed to significant projects including art direction for Kyoto Experiment and various design portfolios in the performing arts.

As this project unfolds, it promises to be an exciting opportunity for young creators to engage with both humor and urban development, creating a vibrant dialogue that shapes the future of creativity in cities.