[Greenpeace Japan General Incorporated Association] HELP Exhibition, an art exhibition where visitors can feel the climate change in Japan – It may disappear in 30 years In
AOMORI~
*Greenpeace Japan General Incorporated Association*
Press release: September 18, 2024
**
A participatory art exhibition where visitors can feel climate change in Japan: HELP Exhibition ~In AOMORI, which may disappear in 30 years~ *Held on October 4th (Friday), 5th (Saturday), and 6th (Sunday), 2024 at Citizen Gallery Studio, Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum, Aomori Prefecture!
Special apple-themed award “HELP Award” established in support of Apple Creative*
The international environmental NGO Greenpeace Japan (Minato-ku, Tokyo) will be holding an event at the Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture for three days, October 4th (Friday), 5th (Saturday), and 6th (Sunday), 2024.
At Citizens Gallery Studio, an exhibition that lets you feel the effects of climate change in Japan through art, “HELP Exhibition – It may disappear in 30 years.”
AOMORI～” will be held.
This exhibition picks up several themes from among the creatures and cultures that are expected to disappear from Japan in 30 years due to the effects of climate change. In collaboration with a variety of writers and cultural figures, including Kiyoshi Miyasaka and culinary expert Yoshiharu Doi, we will exhibit works that will allow you to “feel” the climate crisis approaching Japan with all five senses. Following on from Shiga Prefecture, the touring exhibition will be held in Aomori Prefecture, with the aim of providing an opportunity for visitors to feel the effects of climate change in their immediate surroundings and take action from the perspective of art and creativity.
*A project unique to the Aomori traveling exhibition will also be implemented* We are co-sponsoring the Apple Creative Award, which is sponsored by Fujisaki Town, the birthplace of the Fuji apple that boasts the world’s No. 1 market share, and have created a special HELP Award within the same award. By creating works based on the two concepts of Apple Creative Award 2024’s “Delivery of Apples to the First” and HELP Exhibition’s “Climate Change and Art,” we will be able to understand the climate through memories related to apples and the five senses. We will create an opportunity for you to feel the changes up close. Also, during the exhibition period, HELP Exhibition In
A talk event will be held at Studio B in the AOMORI venue with the theme of “Living in Aomori and Climate Change.” Please feel free to invite us to visit us as an opportunity to learn about the Apple Creative Award “HELP Award” production, and to learn about Aomori that you may not have known.
* [HELP Exhibition In AOMORI] *
Sponsor: International environmental NGO Greenpeace Japan
Planning: Creative unit HAKUA
Date: October 4th (Friday) – October 6th (Sunday), 2024
Venue: Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum Citizen Gallery Studio (2-1 Yoshinocho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture)
Time: 9:00-17:00 (Open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) Admission fee: Free
– This exhibition is also available in English. Wheelchair accessible – There is no parking lot at our hotel.
Please use public transportation or use a nearby paid parking lot. *For elderly people, pregnant women, injured people, and people with disabilities, we have two dedicated parking lots (compassionate parking lots) available.
Official website: https://help-ex.jp/
Official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/help_gpj/
What is the HELP exhibition?
* HELP Exhibition *
An exhibition held in Aoyama, Tokyo from Friday, November 17, 2023 to Sunday, November 26, 2023, where you can feel the effects of climate change in Japan through art.
The number of visitors during the exhibition period reached over 750 people, and the event received great response, being featured in numerous media outlets.
In addition to being featured not only in major media and
environmental media, but also in art and lifestyle media, we received several comments from people who came to the show because they were intrigued by the perspective of “climate change and art.” Ta. Furthermore, in a social experiment of reusing venue furniture, including exhibits, 59 of the 62 items were taken home, successfully demonstrating a new form of exhibition that does not waste resources. In addition, the short film exhibited at the “HELP Exhibition” about the crossing of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture received high praise, including winning the top prize in the documentary category at the international film festival held in Thailand in February this year. I got it.
Click here for a detailed report.
* HELP Exhibition In SHIGA*
The Shiga traveling exhibition of the HELP exhibition was held in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture on Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, 2024. With support from Shiga Prefecture, we held a talk event on the theme of “Lake Biwa and Climate Change” and collaborated with a high school newspaper club that is active nationwide, attracting more than 230 people over two days. We had a lot of visitors and it was a great success. For details, please see the URL below.
Summary version:
https://www.greenpeace.org/japan/press-release/help-in-shiga-report/ Detailed version: https://help-ex.jp/topics/helpinshiga-report/
Sponsoring Aomori’s creative award “Apple Creative Award” and establishing a special “HELP Award”
“Ringoka Museum” was opened in Fujisaki Town, Aomori Prefecture, as a facility where you can play with apples, in a renovated school that used to be the only school in Japan that had an “apple department” where people specialized in apple cultivation. To commemorate the opening, the Apple Creative Award will be held in 2023, and we are recruiting works to be exhibited at the Lingoca Museum.
This year, the second year, we have created a special “HELP Award” in collaboration with the HELP Exhibition In AOMORI. We are also looking for works related to climate change through memories of apples and the five senses.
The winning works will be exhibited at the Lingoka Museum for one year. In addition, the HELP Award was established in conjunction with the short documentary film “Owatari
–
MIWATARI” will utilize the top prize that it received in February of this year at the CCCL (Note), an international film festival on the effects of climate change. We will connect our thoughts to expand efforts to combat climate change.
* [Award Summary] *
*“HELP Award” Judging Criteria*
We are looking for works that align with the two concepts of Apple Creative Award 2024: “The desire to be the first to deliver apples” and “Climate Change and Art” for the HELP exhibition.
As climate change progresses due to “global boiling,” its effects are becoming apparent in a variety of areas, including apples in Aomori Prefecture. We are looking for works that will make people interested in climate change in a fun way, and that will help them see it as a familiar event. (It is preferable that the work motivates people to take action on climate change.) In addition to the above, we will comprehensively judge the submission based on three points: “Is it original?” and “Is it technically expressive?”
*Target (eligibility for applying works)/Entries*
・You can apply as a team or as an individual.
・There is no age limit.
・Please create works that match the concept.
・There are no restrictions on the form, including products, crafts, paintings, sculptures, poems, photographs, videos, etc.
*How to apply*
You can apply via email or Google Form. For more information, please visit the Apple Creative Awards official website
Please check (Announced on February 18, 2024)
HELP Exhibition In AOMORI Original Theme “Life in Aomori and Climate Change” Global warming and climate change are literally global issues. At the same time, its influence extends to Japan and to the daily lives of each of us living in Aomori. As the air temperature, seawater temperature, precipitation, and seasonal changes change, the culture and “normal daily life” that are rooted in these changes will also change. Even in Aomori, the northern country, its influence is already beginning to become noticeable. For example, in Aomori Prefecture, which boasts the highest apple production in Japan, and especially in the Tsugaru region, apples are connected to all aspects of daily life and life, but due to the effects of climate change, the variety, quality, production volume, and working methods in orchards are changing. etc. are being forced to change.
What do you want to leave behind and protect? What can you do to turn a crisis into an opportunity and change into a turning point? How can we communicate about climate change, which tends to be difficult and serious, and lead to action?
We will explore the theme of “Life in Aomori and climate change” from a variety of perspectives, including climate change experts, apple farmers, announcers, and artists.
We would like to invite you to come and visit us as an opportunity to learn about the creation of the work for the Apple Creative Award “HELP Award”, and as an opportunity to learn about Aomori that you may not have known.
* [Holding a talk event] *
Date and time: October 6, 2024 (Sunday) 14:00 – 15:30
Location: Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum Studio B
Theme: Life in Aomori and climate change
Speakers: Junichi Fujino, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), FM Aomori announcer Rena Nakazato
Mr. Akihisa Toki, apple farmer and representative of “Toki Applesha”, Mr. Yuka Miyazono, artist and creative director of HELP exhibition Capacity: First 30 people (free)
Language: Talk event will be in Japanese only
* Junichi Fujino Senior Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)*
Graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and entered the University of Tokyo’s Department of Science. The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering
Completed doctoral course. Japan’s low carbon society scenario research envisions a society that significantly reduces CO2 by 2050. In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, he was particularly involved in the renewable energy recovery of Fukushima and the creation of a recovery plan for Iitate Village. From January 2022, he has been a member (acting chairperson) of the Ministry of the Environment’s “Regional Decarbonization Leading Areas” evaluation committee. Book
“Understanding decarbonization through manga” and many others. *Rena Nakazato*
*FM Aomori Announcer*
Born in Aomori City. After graduating from Shukutoku University, joined FM Nagasaki in 2018 and became an announcer. Mother of one child. In 2020, he transferred to FM Aomori in his hometown of Aomori Prefecture.
Currently, the Monday noon weather program “Smile” (every Monday from 12:00 to 12:55), Raj Mott! In charge of Wednesdays (16:50-18:55). *Mr. Akihisa Toki*
*Apple farmer/representative of “Toki Applesha”*
Born in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture. He originally worked in communications technology, but in 2019 he made a U-turn and started working as a local apple farmer. In particular, the company is attracting attention for its development of “Toki Cider,” which uses the yellow apple “Toki,” which originated in Goshogawara City. It has greatly contributed to the promotion of local agriculture and the creation of new value.
*Mr. Yuka Miyazono*
*Artist HELP Exhibition Creative Director*
Born in Tokyo, lives in Kyoto. After working in product development for about 10 years at a clothing materials trading company, in 2018 Became independent in . While working as a button maker and designer, he is also involved in a wide range of activities, including art direction for brands, exhibition direction, and part-time lecturer at an art university.
Major awards include the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the Grand Prix of the 16th Japan Button Awards in 2010, and the Milan Women’s Beauty Award in 2012 (1 in Milan).
He stayed there for one year and completed his training at the Migliore Servetto architectural firm).
Exhibited works
* 1. HELP from animals*
Approximately one million species of plants and animals are now at risk of extinction, and biodiversity is being lost at a rate comparable to the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs 65.5 million years ago. In this work, we will introduce the appearance of these disappearing animals through stuffed animals created by Mr. Meriyas Kataoka for a traveling exhibition. Additionally, the stuffed animals in this exhibition will be available for purchase. You can apply for purchase when you visit. (Selected by lottery after the exhibition ends.)
Collaboration artist: Stuffed toy artist Kataoka Meriyasu
(C) HAKUA / Greenpeace
* 2. HELP from sushi*
The star of Japanese cuisine, sushi, is also facing the effects of climate change. It is expected that more fish will become inedible due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, and more detailed research is required. In this work, I created sushi as a resin object whose transparency changes depending on the possibility of it disappearing. This content allows you to intuitively feel the effects of climate change that will appear in our daily lives.
We also conducted a survey on people’s favorite sushi toppings.How many of your favorite sushi toppings will still be around in 30 years? Collaboration artist: Creative unit HAKUA
(C) HAKUA / Greenpeace
* 3. HELP from Lake Suwa crossing*
When Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture completely freezes over, the ice splits from the south shore to the north shore, creating a mountain range of ice between 30cm and 1m80cm in height, a traditional culture called “Owatari.” It is a Shinto ritual designated as an intangible folk cultural asset of Suwa City, but in recent years, perhaps due to climate change, it has become less common. This exhibition is based on the words of Mr. Kiyoshi Miyasaka, the chief priest of Yatsugi Shrine, who judges the appearance of miwatari, and the records of miwatari that have been kept since 1683. We hope that this will be an opportunity to think not only about Lake Suwa, but also about the disappearing traditional culture of Japan. *Won the highest award at the international film festival held in Bangkok in March 2024 Performer: Yatsuri Shrine Chief Priest Kiyoshi Miyasaka
* 4. HELP from kelp*
Kelp may also disappear due to the effects of climate change. Kelp has been popular as a soup stock since ancient times and has fostered Japanese food culture. In addition, seaweed beds formed by kelp and other plants are habitats for many living creatures. Will the disappearance of kelp have an impact on Japan’s food culture and even on the spirituality of the Japanese people? –We asked food expert Yoshiharu Doi about these questions.
Cast: Cooking researcher Yoshiharu Doi
Participation in the exhibition
This exhibition features a variety of participation projects so that you can think about climate change more closely and personally.
1. Participate in a social experiment of exhibition reuse by taking back exhibits and venue fixtures
We are aware that holding this exhibition itself consumes energy and generates waste, and we aim to reduce the use of new and disposable resources as much as possible, and to share the process and methods with as many visitors as possible. That’s what I’m aiming for. This time, we will be conducting a social experiment in which we will collaborate with visitors to try to reuse materials and reduce waste as much as possible by asking visitors to purchase or take home exhibited works and venue fixtures.
Additionally, those who wish to take the item home will be asked to apply by pasting a sticky note on the object with instructions on how to reuse it. As time passes, the HELP exhibition will become an exhibition that is co-created with visitors, with ideas for reusing exhibited works and venue fixtures increasing. Please enjoy it as many times as you like during the event.
*Some works may be purchased for a fee. Also, rental equipment cannot be taken home.
(C) HAKUA / Greenpeace
* 2. Simulated fundraising experience for something you want to help * At this exhibition, you will be able to view the exhibition while holding the original coin given to you at the reception desk. Lastly, we have a project where you can put coins into a donation box for something you would like to help.
You can receive a thank you letter written and printed on the spot using a “pen plotter” based on your donations.
(C) Chihiro Hashimoto / Greenpeace
* 3. Message dial to the future *
We have prepared a telephone called Message Dial for the Future as a tool to connect citizens with those responsible for policy. Visitors can use their own voices, similar to an answering machine, to voice their wishes for preserving a rich and beautiful local area for future generations and for everyone to enjoy a comfortable and healthy life. Greenpeace Japan will deliver the collected voices to people in charge of policy, such as legislators and administrators. Over 50 comments were collected during the two days of the Shiga traveling exhibition, demonstrating the high level of interest in climate change.
(C) HAKUA / Greenpeace
Message from the HELP exhibition
Things that we take for granted in this world now.
Whether they will continue to exist in the future is
It depends on our actions.
What is on display at this exhibition is
It is predicted that they will disappear from the earth in 30 years. The main cause is climate change.
If we continue to impose environmental burdens,
We humans will also disappear someday.
“HELP”
Let’s listen to the cries of the voiceless.
And let’s start moving from this moment.
Toward a better future for the earth.
Humans certainly have that power.
background
“The era of global warming is over. The era of ‘global boiling’ has arrived,” said United Nations Secretary-General Guterres in July 2023. Climate change associated with the “global boiling” appears before us in a variety of ways: floods and landslides brought on by heavy rain, scorching heat waves and heat stroke, the threat of new infectious diseases, and so on. Our goal with this project is to make visitors aware of the impact climate change has on Japan, based on the concept of “climate change and art.” By expressing the challenges brought about by climate change through the five senses, we hope to provide a strong motivational opportunity for many people in Japan to explore lifestyles that protect the lives they currently have.
Sponsored by
*International environmental NGO Greenpeace Japan*
Greenpeace is an international environmental NGO that is active in more than 55 countries and regions around the world, and aims to collaborate globally to solve global environmental problems that are difficult to solve domestically. Greenpeace Japan was established in 1989 as the Japanese branch of the organization headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As an independent NGO that does not receive funding from governments, political parties, or companies, we value working in cooperation with people from various positions based on scientific knowledge, and we work together with over 3 million supporters around the world. We are acting to protect the global environment.
Official website: https://www.greenpeace.org/japan/
* plan*
*HAKUA*
A creative unit formed in 2021 by five creators based in Hakuaso, Kyoto. Without being bound by any method, he is constantly exploring the boundaries between art and technology, striving to create unprecedented experiences.
Official website: https://ha9a.com/