Cleaning up the streets with art - The Koganecho Bazaar 2011
In recent years the Koganecho area of Yokohama has been receiving attention both at home and abroad as a neighborhood bustling with resident artists and the shops of young creators. But, this only describes the past few years. The fact is that this area is full of intriguing Japanese postwar history.As of 2004, the Hatsu-Ko-Hinode district (a district comprised of Hatsunecho, Koganecho, and Hinode -cho) had approximately 250 small shops conducting illegal trades like prostitution, and the deteriorating living environment of area had become a severe enough issue that wholesome businesses and citizens were leaving. In order to put an end to this situation the Kanagawa Prefectural Police launched "Operation Bye-bye" in January of 2005, which subsequently led to many illegal operations shutting down as the police established a 24-hour vigilance that continues to this day. In order to prevent the old illicit activities from returning, a sort of "holy trinity" was formed with the prefectural police and government that has since cooperated with neighboring districts and universities in various activities aimed cleaning up and revitalizing the area. In April of 2009, a group of local volunteers as well as art and city-building specialists established the non-profit organization "The Koganecho Area Management Center", which has been working to put together a system for promoting the creation of a safe, peaceful, and sustainable neighborhood through art.
"Mmes. K" Risa Sato
One result of this tide is the "Koganecho Bazaar", an event linked with a regional revitalization project that started in Koganecho/ Hinode-cho. Launched in 2008, the bazaar is now in its fourth year.
Once illegal pubs have been converted into galleries with artists in residence, architects have been brought in to design the areas under the tracks and turn them into cafes or select shops carrying fashion and accessories, and young artists have appeared all over the area to hold exhibitions and other activities.
The interesting thing about Koganecho is the way it has been unable to completely shed all the vestiges of its former self. Even now you can find buildings that are clearly suspicious, and the police still patrol the streets day and night. Amidst all this you have the resident artists walking around with materials for their projects and cats taking naps in parking lots during the early afternoon. It's a delicate mix of tension, easy-going atmosphere, and creative aura that gives the district a feel like that of a Heisei-era Japanese Dover Street Market.
〝a hum″ Jun Honma
This year the Koganecho Bazaar 2011 has a special program in conjunction with that of the Yokohama Triennale 2011. There is a free bus from the Yokohama Museum of Art, so if you are going to the Triennale then this is one place you don't want to miss.There are many pieces of artwork on display amidst the atmosphere and historical background of the area, not to mention a "a hum", a sculpture and sound installation by artist Jun Homma, at the symbolic Oooka-river. It's a close-up look at the presence and daily life of the area. You can also find the film piece "lace" by Nobuhiro Shimura set in the bathroom of a renovated ryokan inn called the Ryugu Art Ryokan. Mitsuhiro Ikeda is holding a night exhibition of a special Koganecho version of his well-known "by the Window" called "by the Window Koganecho Version" (an unreleased work) with the images projected the in the windows of a buildings. Human silhouettes flicker along the riverside.
〝lace″ Nobuhiro Shimura
"by the Window Koganecho Version" Mitsuhiro Ikeda
While there are many art events with a particular area as a backdrop, with Koganecho the root seems to be less revitalizing the neighborhood than cleaning it up. For this reason many of the changes are physical rather than cultural, and the image of the streets as they grow more creative year by year makes it seem as we are seeing a new style of slow city building. On the other hand, there is a certain alternative air that makes one wish they could keep things the way they are now.
Thanks to its tie-up with the Yokohama Triennale this year it's likely that many people are going to visit the Koganecho Bazaar 2011. As is so often the case with installation pieces, all the artwork only to found here can be viewed until the November 6th (Sunday).
Text_Natalia M
Translation_Luke Baker
All Photos_Yasuyuki Kasagi
KOGANECHO BAZAAR
Friday 2nd Sep. - Sunday 6th Nov., 2011
(closed on: Thursdays during Sep. / 13th 27th Oct.)
11:00 - 19:00
(installation for nights/ from sunset until 0:00)
Arround HInode-cho, Kogane-cho and Hatsune-cho, Nakaku Yokohama
"KOGANECHO Bazaar 2011 Free Pass" 500 yen
（Free for under Junior High & Adults over 65 ）
For more details
http://www.koganecho.net/koganecho-bazaar-2011/info/info03.html
KOGANECHOAREA MANAGEMENT CENTER
2-158, Hinodecho, Nakaku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 231-0066,JAPAN
TEL:+81-(0)45-261-5467
FAX:+81-(0)45-325-7222
MAIL: info@koganecho.net
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