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Sep 17 2014 15 Comments

Unique Japanese office space after artists take over

Japanese offices generally aren’t the most inspiring of places, with conservatism and practicality the overriding themes. Work is what’s to be done there, so that’s their sole, and thus soulless, role. No startup-like table tennis tables or soft seating — just desks, chairs and drab surroundings.

However, when such spaces are emptied due to a building’s planned demolition, and a bunch of young artists are let loose inside, things can be really quite different.

Japanese office after artists were let in

So much so in fact that it’s almost impossible to imagine the more than likely banal, day-to-day drudgery that once went on there.

Japanese office after artists were let in

Instead there is now brightness.

Japanese office after artists were let in

Colour.

Japanese office after artists were let in

Imagination.

Japanese office after artists were let in

Japanese office after artists were let in

Plus a real feeling of space.

Japanese office after artists were let in

And perhaps more than anything, a genuine sense of escape.

Japanese office after artists were let in

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martin says

    9/17/2014 at 11:57 am

    That’s awesome! They can decorate for me anytime.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/17/2014 at 5:18 pm

      Yeah, it was really impressive. If they did, you certainly wouldn’t be lacking talking points when guests came round!

      Reply
  2. Coli says

    9/17/2014 at 1:32 pm

    Very cool. I want to get these people to come and do a makeover at the school I work at. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/17/2014 at 5:20 pm

      It’d certainly brighten the classroom up. Might even motivate the kids, although that’s probably too big an ask!

      Reply
  3. Hans Ter Horst says

    9/17/2014 at 3:06 pm

    Wow, that *is* different from the Japanese offices that I visited, Not sure if I could work in the pink – flowery office, but amazing in any case

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/17/2014 at 5:24 pm

      It was fascinating walking round, imagining how it had once been. Some names/descriptions were still visible too, which made all the more unusual. But yeah, the colour and patterns in that room would very quickly lose their novelty factor!

      Reply
  4. WP says

    9/17/2014 at 6:22 pm

    Wow… this looks amazing. But do you mean that the building will be demolished later, after the exhibition of this artwork?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/17/2014 at 7:20 pm

      Yes, the building itself will be demolished. Surprising really, as it doesn’t seem that old at all. But I suppose that’s not all that unusual in Tokyo.

      Reply
  5. Theresa Amlong says

    9/17/2014 at 9:18 pm

    I remember going to an exhibit like this before they tore down one of the old (French, I think) Embassies in Azabu. After the entire building was painted so artistically, it felt a shame to have to tear it down.

    Reply
    • Theresa Amlong says

      9/17/2014 at 9:22 pm

      It’s called Installation Art, right?

      Reply
      • Lee says

        9/17/2014 at 11:10 pm

        I guess so, yeah.

        That sounds like an equally interesting event. The only bad thing is this one will also end in just the same way.

        Reply
  6. Matt Talbot says

    9/18/2014 at 2:26 am

    Amazing. Thanks for sharing that. I’m blown away by the talent on show.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/18/2014 at 10:32 am

      Not at all. It was a real pleasure for me to experience it. A really unique event.The photos only represent a fraction of it too. And yes, there was some genuine talent on display.

      Reply
  7. F.Y. says

    9/18/2014 at 6:51 pm

    That girl smoking on that snake thing is such an awesome picture.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/18/2014 at 10:21 pm

      Over the 5 or 6 floors there was a lot of good stuff on display. A real pity that it won’t last much longer. Although in many ways that makes it all the more special.

      Reply

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