Yoichi Ochiai’s new media art, a new feature of Akihabara, is now available at Akihabara UDX. Akihabara UDX winter illumination 2023

At the lighting ceremony, media artist Yoichi Ochiai, the creator of the main object, spoke about the concept of the work, the behind-the-scenes stories behind its creation, and his thoughts on Akihabara.He also expressed his understanding and cooperation in the operation of Akihabara UDX. Together with everyone from Akihabara Town Management, Kandayama Honcho Association, and Chiyoda Ward Tourism Association, we lit up the main object, the street trees, to much cheer.

At Akihabara UDX, we are working to improve the value of the area and contribute to its continued development through area management activities that take advantage of the city's latent asset, the unique diversity. Enjoy the Christmas night sky and a fantastic art space through the works of Yoichi Ochiai, who is deeply connected to Akihabara.

In addition, the "Let's Cheers! UDX DINNER Scratch Campaign" is being held simultaneously at the shops and restaurants in Akihabara UDX where you can win luxurious prizes or cash coupons. Enjoy your time at Akihabara UDX with the illuminations.

From left: Yoko Otsu (Vice Chairman of Chiyoda City Tourism Association), Toshiyuki Yamamoto (Representative Director of Akihabara Town Management), Yoichi Ochiai (Media Artist), Hiroshi Tsujikami (Representative Director and President of NTT Urban Development), Kazunari Namiki (Kandayama Honmachi) Chairman)

About the work

main object

[Work name]

Reflector∞: Resonance of Electrical Echoes

[concept]

This work “Reflector∞: Resonance of Electrical Echoes'' attempts to create a dialogue between the uniqueness of modern Japanese culture in Tokyo and Akihabara and traditional customs from ancient times. Yoichi Ochiai has been coming to Akihabara for about 25 years, and it's been 6 years since he started living there as a resident. Therefore, while watching the changes in Akihabara, I have been dreaming of how electronic parts will form a new folk art. The unique space of Akihabara is a place where digital and physical existence, tangible and intangible, subculture and mainstream culture intersect. Yoichi Ochiai's idea of mediation between nature without mass and nature with mass was also born from this city's background. "Reflector∞" uses electronic components as a medium to demonstrate that media art has taken on a new form of folk art. The ancient Japanese sense of mirrors, their mysticism and symbolism, have a deep connection to the realm where the physical and digital intersect, and are incorporated into my works. The mirrors are cleverly placed infinity mirrors to extend the viewer's visual experience. What its infinite reflections suggest is not just spatial expansion, but the possibility of expansion. This work also encourages us to reevaluate our urban experiences through the computer nature created through interaction between humans and artificial intelligence. The echoes and resonances that this work depicts will resonate with the meaning of “mirror'' that is at the root of Japanese culture, and the unique ecosystem of the region will create a dream-like landscape of the city of Akihabara.

West side street tree

[Work name]

Street trees wrapped in light

 

[Supervision]

Yoichi Ochiai

 

[explanation]

LED products are widely available in Akihabara.

This time, instead of LED illumination, we used LED tape lights, which are locally sourced and used for indirect lighting. I used media devices to consider the relationship between indigenous features and decorations, such as rice cake flowers for the New Year.

The dynamic and flexible lines of light created by the LED tape lights symbolize the city of Akihabara and invite you to the main objet.

Artist profile

Photo: Mika Ninagawa

Yoichi Ochiai

Media artist, born in 1987.

Started his career as a writer around 2010.

His works are based on the motif of objectification, transformation, and aspiration for mass in border areas.

Associate Professor at the University of Tsukuba and Specially Appointed Professor at Digital Hollywood University.

Producer of the 2025 Japan World Expo (Osaka/Kansai Expo) theme project.

Recent exhibitions include 2020 “My Heart, for You” Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2021 “Kitakyushu Future Creative Arts Festival ART for SDGs” Kitakyushu, the same year “Ars Electronica” Austria, 2023 “Sunny Sometimes Leica” Leica Gallery Tokyo/Kyoto, “Null Resonance: Interconnection of Emptiness in Computer Nature'' in the same year, Kiyoharu Art Village, Tadao Ando/Museum of Light, Museum of Light, and many others.

He also collaborates with various fields, such as directing the “Yoichi Ochiai x Japan Philharmonic Project''.

About Akihabara UDX winter illumination 2023

・Holding period: November 15, 2023 (Wednesday) – December 25, 2023 (Monday)

・Lighting hours: 17:00-23:00 every day

*Lighting hours may change without prior notice.

・Location: Akihabara UDX 1F Akihabara Square, roadside trees on the west side (4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

3 minutes walk from JR "Akihabara Station" or Tokyo Metro Ginza Line "Suehirocho Station"

・Fee: Free

・Sponsor: Akihabara UDX

・Writer: Yoichi Ochiai

・Produced by: The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.

・Equipment provision/technical cooperation: Seibido Co., Ltd.

・Official website: https://udx.jp/

Akihabara UDX winter illumination 2023 uses green electricity generated from natural energy sources such as sunlight and wind power.

Let's Cheers! About UDX DINNER scratch campaign

・Implementation period: November 15, 2023 (Wednesday) to December 25, 2023 (Monday)

・Campaign details: During the campaign period, at UDX shops and restaurants after 17:00.

One scratch ticket will be given for every purchase of 2,000 yen (tax included) or more.

If you scrape and win, you will receive a luxurious prize or gift certificate!

Please check the campaign site for details.

・Campaign site: https://udx.jp/dinner-scratch/