From Hara Museum ARC
We have happy news to report: Hara Museum ARC has been awarded the 52nd BCS Prize for 2011. This prestigious prize, given by the Japan’s Building Contractors Society, honors a building not only for its superlative architecture, but also for the excellence of its function and operation. This is the second time for ARC to be honored in the field of architecture; the first was a prize given by the Architectural Institute of Japan in 2010. Needless to say, we are deeply honored.
But now news about one of the works currently on view at Hara Museum ARC. RMN City, a computer-generated video by the Beijing artist Cao Fei, reflects the increasing attention the museum has been directing towards artists from Asia in recent years. Another case in point is Ming Wong, the Singaporean artist whose solo exhibition is now on at the Hara Museum in Tokyo.
Created by Cao Fei in 2007, this 6-minute video takes you on a tour of a 3D virtual city. Vivid and cool, this virtual city is a perfect choice for the current exhibition of contemporary art entitled The World of Color .
The camera moves freely, capturing the city from many different angles as viewers are taken on a journey accompanied by lively music in the background. RMB City, which was created within the online world of Second Life, takes its name from China’s official currency.
It is also full of Chinese icons. One wonders if it is meant as a kind of Utopia. Or is it a reflection of the present state of China? Cao Fei’s Second Life avatar is China Tracey, who appears in the final credits.
Read more about this popular artist at http://www.art-it.jp/interview04.php.
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ACCESS
By Train
By JR Joetsu・Nagano Shinkansen
Recommended timetable
・10:12 Depart Tokyo Station→11:01 Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 11:11Depart Takasaki Satation→11:35 Arrive at Shibukawa Station
・11:12 Depart Tokyo Station→12:03 Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 12:20 Depart Takasaki Satation→12:44 Arrive at Shibukawa Station
・12:24 Depart Tokyo Station→13:14 Arrive at Takasaki Station/ 13:31 Depart Takasaki Satation→13:56 Arrive at Shibukawa Station
By JR Joetsu Limited Express Kusatsu
・ 9:00 Depart Ueno Station→10:37 Arrive at Shibukawa Station (No.31 ; operates only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
・10:00 Depart Ueno Station→11:43 Arrive at Shibukawa Station (No.3 ; operates only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
・12:00 Depart Ueno Station→13:45 Arrive at Shibukawa Station (No. 5)
From Shibukawa Station, take the Kan-etsu Kotsu Bus and get off at the station “Green Bokujo Mae.” http://www.kan-etsu.net/r-bus/timetable/shibu-ikaho-1.htm (in Japanese only). ARC is about 7 minute walk from the bus station.
By Car
Take the Kan-etsu Expressway to Shibukawa Ikaho Interchange. Go in the direction of Ikaho Onsen for 8 km (about 15 min.) .
Highway information:
E-NEXCO Drive Plaza http://www.driveplaza.com/ (in Japanese only)