Wa Study I

Wa depicts harmony and disharmony. It encourages us to consider the influence culture, religion and technology have on the way we define, perceive and value nature.

This work takes inspiration from wa (harmony, peace, and balance). An idea inherent in social and nature relationships in Japan and one that is core to practicing Shinto. Throughout history Shinto has provided an important moral and ethical backbone in Japanese culture.

This work and exploration originate from a residency carried out in Tokyo in 2018, supported by Arts Council Tokyo, British Council Japan and Playable City.

This work is ongoing and Study II should open in 2020.

Playable City Tokyo launched in 2015 to develop imaginative new ideas for urban spaces and to engage communities in thinking about the future of Tokyo (particularly in the run up to the 2020 Olympic Games).

The residency is an opportunity to collaboratively research and develop playful ideas at the intersection of art, technology, and society for public space in Tokyo. This exploration will lead to new interventions, installations and a new kind of city-wide conversation through play.

Phase One of the programme was a research visit to Tokyo to meet local creatives, explore, research and ideate around experiences and prototypes for public space in and around central Tokyo. Phase Two was a production visit to Tokyo in September 2018 to test and finalise the presentation of the prototype pieces for the attendees of the Making the City Playable Conference 2018 and the general public.

The other Playable City Tokyo resident is London play scholar, Sophie Sampson.