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Hachioji Arts Festival: Parks as Oceans

In the enigmatic realm of art, a fascinating perspective emerges: parks can be likened to oceans. This concept draws inspiration from Tarkovsky's film, "Solaris," where a surreal sea manifests images of children and parks. Just as the ocean eludes definitive description, parks similarly provoke a nexus of interpretations that don’t quite settle into one concrete meaning, evoking a sense of emptiness. Much like the endless horizon of the ocean, parks are spaces where imagination flows freely, rendering them indefinable.

One of the main artistic collectives, Gerolterna, seeks to explore this void within parks. With their project, the group aims to create artwork that reflects this ambiguous space, ultimately proposing a canvas that grapples with the complexities of existence, morality, and our understanding of these environments.

Event Details

The Hachioji Arts Festival will span from November 8 to December 7, open from 10 AM to 5 PM, with Wednesdays closed. The venue for this artistic exploration is Koden Park, located at 77-1 Kodencho, Hachioji City.

About Gerolterna

Gerolterna is a collaborative artistic space founded by three notable figures: Kazunari Kurihara, Toshito Kobayashi, and Ryota Tanaka. Operating since 2011, they previously inhabited Sumida Ward before evolving into a more fluid collective without a fixed location, eventually centering their activities around STUDIO ISSEI established by Kurihara in Hachioji in 2017. Below is a brief overview of each member:

• - Kazunari Kurihara (b. 1967, Kanagawa): A graduate of the Tama Art University Graduate School, he has been active in the arts since the mid-90s and currently teaches oil painting at Tama Art University.
• - Toshito Kobayashi (b. 1981, Hachioji): After completing his graduate studies at Tama Art University in 2007, he creates paintings, sculptures, and prints with a focus on figures, still life, and landscapes.
• - Ryota Tanaka (b. 1983, Saitama): He graduated from the same university's painting program in 2008 and explores monistic themes in his artwork, teaching at Nihon Kogakuin Hachioji.

Festival Overview

Commencing in 2023, the Hachioji Arts Festival brings together the rich local history, nature, and culture through interactive art installations in diverse venues including old factory sites, traditional houses, outdoor spaces, and parks. This vibrant festival encompasses a wide range of programs such as visual arts, music, theater, workshops, discussions, performances, and the 'Machiiro Project,' a community-driven initiative designed to enhance the local atmosphere. Each visitor becomes a traveler, engaging with the unique landscapes and rhythms of Hachioji.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The festival aims to weave together the sounds of machinery and the rhythms of artisans, crafting a dialogue between art, design, tradition, and innovation. By connecting threads of memory with the winds of creativity, the festival invites participants to envision narratives that traverse from Hachioji to the world beyond. The next iteration will run from November 8 to December 7, 2025, across multiple venues including Nakano, Owada, Komiya, and Ishikawa, offering free entry with select paid programs available. Organized by Hachioji City and the Hachioji City Cultural Foundation, this event promises to be a landmark celebration of art and community.

Stay Connected

To keep up with the latest updates about the festival, follow their official Instagram page at @hachioji_arts_journey. Join the journey of art and community, and discover what narratives await at the Hachioji Arts Festival.