Atelier Bow-Wow
Chairs designed by Architects

25 Sept. - 11 Oct. 2004


    Architectural unit 'Atelier Bow-Wow' was founded by Yoshiharu Tsukamoto(b.1965) and Momoyo Kaijima(b.1969) in 1992. While these two architects having been very active as pioneers of so-called 'Light Architecture', which is characterized by using low-cost materials and adopting clear-cut plans, their unique activities such as 'Made in Tokyo', in which they carried out researches into weird buildings in Tokyo, attracted a great deal of attention from art world. Today, they are regular attendants of binnales and triennales held around the world.


     The pod-like object shown in this exhibition, which consists of book shelves full of 'Manga' comic books and benches, is the latest version of 'Manga Pod' that was exhibited during the Kwangju biennnale in 2002. With this 'pod', they seem to be trying to review the 'Otaku' culture and the phenomenon of social withdrawal, as well as the narrowness of traditional Japanese houses, in a positive way.


     From Oct. 5th through 11th, three galleries of Galeria Bldg. collaborate and display in the whole building chairs designed by leading Japanese architects (Atsushi Kitagawara, Kazuyo Sejima and others). This is the fifth occasion in the world and the first in Japan that a 'Manga Pod" is actually built and exhibited. The pod will be used as a shelf at Aoyama Book Center after this show.


* Exhibition includes the photographs of Atelier Bow-Wow’s architectural works by Takashi Honma. Also books and other documents on Atelier Bow-wow are available.

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●  Reception: Sept. 25 from 5PM

●  Exhibition supported by World Photo Press Co., Ltd. and Taka Ishii Gallery

 

Day 1st

Parts of Manga Pod arrive on a truck.

Construction starts by referring a drawing.Leg-part is quite complicated, like puzzle.

Day 2nd

Assembling finished at last. Next stages are polishing and varnishing. Then wait till it gets dry.

Day 3rd

Staff of our generous sponsor, World Photo Press Co. arrive with hundreds of their publications. Manga Pod swallows them heartily.

Got ready!

Tsukamoto San & Kaijima San, many thanks for this joyful exhibition.

Thanks also to the staff of Atelier Bow-wow for a lot of works.

After the show, Manga Pod was split in several parts and transported to Aoyama Book Center just nearby. Pod is on view there as a permanent display rack for the books. Good news for the people who missed this exhibition.

  1. ‣ Japanese