Photograph by Pascal Gravot Haeberli

Crowds of art-goers spilled out from the gallery space onto the streets of Tokyo's hip Nakameguro area, and the thumping bass of a DJ set could be heard, at the opening of Shibuhouse' latest installation House 100, on Monday (May 21st). To mark the 1 year anniversary of The Container, the unusual art-space and brainchild of curator Shai Ohayon, the opening of Tokyo's experimental performance art collective Shibuhouse was held. Taking the concept of the house outside their usual boundary of a shared residential commune, they have perfectly integrated the use of the shipping container as a platform for their two-month long endeavour of interviews with inspirational artists, musicians and other professionals broadcast live via UStream: [http://www.ustream.tv/channel/house-100] or through their Twitter account for regular updates: [@shibuhouse]

The concept is simple and does not stray from the core of Shibuhouse' philosophy, according to Keita Saito who founded the loose-collective in 2008 and whom I spoke with during the crowded opening reception. "The aim is to communicate, so with whoever we interview - a diverse range of artists, filmmakers and such - the idea is to become closer through communication under the framework of the 'house'". While visitors to The Container may not see much more than a space roughly converted into an office-type interior with only a couple of chairs, a desk, and a camera-to-PC set-up, the aim is that these live conversations will reach a wider audience through the internet.

With the theme of communication in mind, it was both fascinating and entertaining to indulge in the performance art of the Scottish Tokyo-based artist Jack McLean and his sexy assistant Tomoe and their silent exchange while making balloon works - ending in flames of anger, literally. Also challenging communication was artist Martijn Kluit who interacted with the audience while completely subverting the traditional image of the magician, finally destroying and smashing a dolls head apart.

It seemed The Container, which has steadily grown in popularity and notoriety came of age on the reception night, even being graced by the presence of conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth and prominent Tokyo art scene figure Johnnie Walker. Make sure to keep watch of Shibuhouse as they continue to blur the boundaries of communication whilst challenging and pushing the Japanese contemporary art scene.

Photographs by Pascal Gravot Haeberli

by Mio Coxon

All images courtesy of The Container

Information
The Container
1F Hills Daikanyama 1-8-30 KamiMeguro Meguro-ku  Tokyo 153-0051
153-0051東京都目黒区上目黒1-8-30, 1Fヒルズ   |   map

Opening reception: 21 May 2012, 7.30-9.30pm (Tokyo time)
Reception includes art performances by: 
Jack McLean (with Tomoe) and Martijn Kluit, and live DJ sets by Tomad (Maltine Records) and Mokamoka 
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