Exhibition dates: November 1 - 31, 2022

Venue: Sumida-Mukoujima Expo, Tokyo,

Excavation and Cleanup of Abandoned Houses

 

Today, there are many vacant houses in Japan, especially in regional cities.  In particular, old houses that are in danger of collapsing have become a social problem in Japan. Houses that have been deformed over the years and are losing their function as homes are symbolic of what modern society is abandoning.

This exhibition featured a wooden row house built in 1932 (90 years ago) that had been abandoned for long time, and displayed the space itself as an artwork.

Over the past 90 years, the house has been damaged by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods; half of the ground has subsided, the floor has become sloped, and the structure of the house is severely distorted. In addition, various repairs were made to prevent drafts and animals from entering, and many traces left by the residents can still be seen today.

 

Project Description

The house is a kind of sculpture / found object that has undergone repeated deformation and restoration over the past 90 years. The main act of production for this work was the removal and cleaning of excess material in order to accentuate the features within the space.

 

Production process

1. The tatami-mats and floorboards in the living room were removed to expose the subfloor in order to investigate the cause of the distortion of the house.

2. The subfloor was covered with mold, and the back half of the house, as seen from the entrance, had subsided and was littered with artifacts.

3、Dust and dirt were carefully removed to highlight the condition of the ground and the placement of artifacts.

4, Displaying some of the objects found in the yard and under the floor as collectibles.

5、Polishing the stainless steel parts of the kitchen and bathrooms, emphasizing the presence of objects that are in conflict with distortion and dirt.