Yumeooka , Yokohama, Japan, 1995-1996
Commissioner: Yumeooka Art Project Committee
Organization: Kamiooka Neighborhood Renewal Office, Development Department, Urban Planning Bureau, City of Yokohama
Art Advisor: Fumio Nanjo, Nanjo and Associates
granite
The area surrounding the Kamiooka station in Yokohama has become an important cultural center of the city. Nineteen international artists participated in creating art elements for a new urban building complex called Yumeooka. Historically, Yokohama has always been an important port town, and languages from around the world have been spoken in the city.
Eight different languages were chosen based on the demographics and the languages spoken in this area, and sandblasted on the granite stair risers. A series of provocative questions; “Where are you going?” “Where are you from?“ “Do you believe in History?” “Has your memory been stolen?” “Can you walk on eggs?” come into view as one ascends the granite stairway to the rooftop garden.