On the rooftop of an abandoned school near the flashing lights and madness of Tokyo’s Akihabara Electric Town, there is a nightly happening comprising kinetic sculpture, balloons, instrumental inventions, light, sound and performance art.
Without chronology, centre or climax the series of improvisations unfold as the sun goes down and a harmonious atmosphere envelops all. Rest-ful Musical Devices is a part of Ensembles, an initiative by avant-garde musician Otomo Yoshihide which is taking place in various venues around Tokyo. Thinking about the highly individualised way people listen to music today, with earphone straight on eardrum, Otomo wanted to focus on making sound within space, emphasising the interactive and social dimensions of music.
The line up includes some of Japan’s most interesting performers and experimental sound artists: Atsuhiro Ito, Fuyuki Yamakawa, Yuko Mohri, Sachiko M, Tetsuya Umeda and Kanta Horio. A pretty special evening if you’re in Tokyo any time between now and November 3.
