Bulbs with Heartbeats

These are not just beautiful light bulbs.
The bulbs can make us feel distant to others.
These are the artworks by Christian Boltanski, French artist.

The bulbs are synchronized to someone’s heartbeat who is in remote country.
When someone’s heart beats, each bulb blinks slowly or rapidly adjusting to the frequency of each heartbeat.
Each light bulb represents each person’s heartbeat. The blinks inside transparent sphere indicate strangers’ lives.
You will be moved by the peculiarity of feeling the heartbeats of someone you never know.


If all the bulbs were turned off, regardless of the heartbeats they are connected to. How would you feel about the bulbs?

As the Title Suggests,Things Come Apart

This is an artwork by Todd McLellan, artist, named Things Come Apart.

At first, you can look at the parts they  are spread out.

Then you will gradually understand they are computer parts that were set on very carefully.

As the title suggests, he took computer parts apart, then reconstructed them.

In other words, he changed solid object into plane art through taking it apart.

This art makes me notice the unexpected beauty of hidden machine parts by marvelous composition.

Decomposed hard disk and keyboard are just like orderly town streets and computer screen stands among them as if it is a palace.

*thank you for correcting me,Paulin*

Rotating Tunnel : You Will get Dizzy

I took this picture when I went on a trip to Niigata 3 years ago.

This artwork is enjoyable for anyone from adults to children. Even a person who is not interested in art may enjoy it.

This artwork consists of red-and-blue tunnel and an aisle passage that passes through the center of the tunnel.

The interesting point of it is that the red-and-blue pattern rotates as the tunnel also rotates slowly.

Visitors can pass through the passage to see this art from the inside.

You feel like being sucked by the rotating pattern when you gaze it and you will lose your sense of balance.

I stayed into the tunnel for a while, so I staggered.

I wobbled and felt dizzy.

*thanks to Ezro*

What’s the difference between Tokyo and Kyoto

There is a lot of difference between Tokyo and Kyoto.  (This was the item of the lunchtime talk on that day)

I think their big difference is their development and history. Tokyo is Japan’s present capital. It has the Diet, and a lot of large company. It is the center of almost everything in Japan, such as politics, finance, and other industry. Skyscrapers stand, and a super developed subway system runs.

On the other hand, Kyoto doesn’t have skyscrapers ( but Kyoto Tower is there), its subway system consists of only 2 lines. Even Japanese people (especialiy by eastern residents) tend to think that there is nothing but temples in Kyoto, but Kyoto is also a city. For example, the headquarters of Nintendo, Kyosera, Omron and others, one of the global companies in Japan, is in Kyoto.
Actually, Kyoto prohibits to build high buildings to protect traditional view.
They think tradition is important.

Kyoto is one of the most historic areas in Japan.
Kyoto was Japan’s capital for about 1000 years until the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in the 17th century. That history is much longer than Tokyo. During this movement, the center of politics was moved to Tokyo but the center of cultures stayed at Kyoto. Also, the Emperor still lived in Kyoto until 19th century.
Therefore, there are lots of shrines and temples that have many national treasures.
After the capital was moved to Tokyo, Kyoto still has great influence of on traditional things.

Topic
-Kyoto people think Kyoto is the capital until now. They claim the capital wasn’t moved on law.
-Kyoto people are said to be two-faced people. They hardly show their real feelings.
-Kyoto has more than 2000 national treasures. This is 16percent of the total Japanese national treasures.
-There are lots of temples and monks in Kyoto. Most Japanese Buddhism is not strict in general, so they can marry, and drink alcohol. You could see monks in bars occasionally. (but sometimes they wear wigs to disguise)

*thanks to Ezro*