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Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit

11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Thu., May 27 – Wed., May 22, 2024
*Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. only on Thu., May 9
In “Earth ∞ Pieces,” every individual will become an indispensable “piece” in the one-day musical performances of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (Symphony No. 9).

The first world premiere held in March this year brought together people who no longer had the opportunity to enjoy music due to childrearing, caregiving, work, etc., as well as a diverse range of players and professional musicians in their 10s to 60s from all over the country, who lost their ability to play instruments or read music. They expressed their joy of being able to participate and make music together.

Centered on a documentary following the players from their rehearsal to performance at this world premiere, the event at Sony Park Mini will exhibit special musical scores called “Blueprints of music” prepared by the musical director, Shuta Hasunuma, and customized to the character of each performer, as well as musical instruments actually used by the players. The exhibition looks at the 28 players behind the scenes, who were able to participate thanks to the event being held over only one day.

Come and open the door to “Earth ∞ Pieces,” a journey that will continue until 2030, with free and expansive sounds resonating like twinkling stars through the night sky.

Earth ∞ Pieces


“Earth ∞ Pieces – In Transit” Special Talk Event

We are currently accepting lottery entries for viewing the talk session at Sony Park Mini from here (Japanese only). (Deadline: May 8 (Wed.) 6 p.m.)

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 14:00-15:00 (tentative)
Venue: Sony Park Mini (Online streaming available)
Details: This is a special event in which Yoshie Kris and Musical Director Shuta Hasunuma, who planned and produced “Earth ∞ Pieces Vol. 1 World Premiere,” will engage in cross-talk. “Earth ∞ Pieces Vol. 1 World Premiere” Documentation Director Sachiko Namba will serve as the moderator, delving into the episodes of the day, and interviewing the guests about how they felt about the project.
Distribution: Sony Park official Instagram
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] From the outside
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] From the outside
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
[Earth ∞ Pieces—in transit] State of the exhibits
“Earth ∞ Pieces” is a hands-on music project based on a completely new concept, planned by Yoshie Kris who supervised the planning and direction of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Opening Ceremony, and serves as a DE&I advisor for the new Ginza Sony Park. It aims to be a social initiative to raise awareness for “accessibility” and “sustainability” through the process of creating a musical event.
The music for the opening ceremony was provided by Shuta Hasunuma, who will also serve as the conductor and musical director. He will take on the challenges of an unprecedented rendering of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Ode to Joy. This is the theme on which a journey spanning around six years will be based, until the achievement of the SDGs in 2030 through repeated encounters with various members.
Earth ∞ Pieces official website: https://ep.slowlabel.info/
Kris Yoshie / Earth ∞ Pieces Producer

Slow Label Director. For over 25 years, she has been involved in art projects with the participation of citizens to bridge the gap between people of different cultures and communities in trying to prompt social change through dialog and collaborative processes. As General Director of Yokohama Paratriennale (2014 – 2020), she was awarded the 65th Yokohama Culture Prize. She was the Stage Advisor for the Rio Paralympics Flag Handover Ceremony, General Planning Team Creative Director for the 2020 Tokyo Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Director of Kamiyama Educational Institute, commentator on TBS Hiruobi Mokuyo, etc. She is also a member of the Ginza Sony Park Project, serving as a DE&I advisor for the new Ginza Sony Park.
Shuta Hasunuma / Earth ∞ Pieces Music Director

He formed the Shuta Hasunuma Philharmonic Orchestra, performing domestically and internationally, while also engaging in numerous musical productions for films, plays and dances. He applies the methods of musical composition to material expression, creating sculptures, videos, installations, performances, workshops and projects. Furthermore, he engages in many overseas activities, including his appointment as a grantee of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) in 2013, and the Japan Cultural Envoy by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2017. His main solo exhibitions include Compositions (Pioneer Works, New York: 2018) and ~ing (Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo: 2018). He was also awarded the 69th Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. At Ginza Sony Park and Sony Park Mini too, he has held a variety of programs, including “Windandwindows” Shuta Hasunuma Philharmonic Orchestra x Ginza Sony Park, and ParCloset “unpeople.”
Sachiko Namba / Earth ∞ Pieces Documentation Director

She is a curator. She worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and has been involved in curating exhibitions of contemporary art domestically and internationally. The main exhibitions she has curated include “Garden for Children” (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2010), and “Ohmaki Shinji – Before and After the Horizon” (Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, 2023). She also curated Ryuichi Sakamoto’s major solo exhibitions (held at M Woods / Beijing, 2021, M Woods Chengdu, 2023, and Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024). She was the Project Manager for the Sapporo International Art Festival 2014. (in charge of academic and cultural affairs), and Curator for Yokohama Paratriennale 2014. Her books include Curating Contemporary Art in Japan: 10 Questions to Help Guide Your Approach (Seikyusha).
Hirofumi Nakamoto / Earth ∞ Pieces Film Director

He was born in 1986. He produces documentary films about experimental video works, installations and art projects. As Representative of Zushi Art Films, he engages in activities including giving lectures, workshops, holding exhibitions and screenings related to video expression. His film, Silent Passengers, was screened at Berlinale Shorts. His main exhibitions include “Impurity/Immunity” (Tokas Hongo, 2017), and “Us verse Nature” (Treasure Hill Artist Village, Taipei, 2023).
[Venue]
Sony Park Mini
B1 Nishi-Ginza Parking, 5-3-1 Chisaki, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 (Google Maps / Video access guide)

[Opening Hours / Duration]
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Thu., May 27 – Wed., May 22, 2024
*Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. only on Thu., May 9

[Admission Fee]
Free

[Details]
  • An exhibition where visitors can relive the one-day music event, “Earth ∞ Pieces Vol. 1 World Premiere,” held in Yokohama City of Kanagawa Prefecture in March this year, which generated a great deal of excitement.
  • The live atmosphere of the “Earth ∞ Pieces Vol. 1 World Premiere” stage on the day of the event has been captured to offer more people a special immersive experience. The exhibition centers on the screening of a film of rehearsals and performances, taken and directed by Hirofumi Nakamoto, along with exhibits of special musical scores called “Blueprints of music” prepared by Hasunuma, customized to the character of each performer, as well as musical instruments actually used by the players.
  • A special talk event with Kris Yoshie and Shuta Hasunuma will be broadcast on Instalive starting at 2 P.M. on Saturday, May 11. There are also plans to welcome players who participated in “Earth ∞ Pieces Vol. 1 World Premiere” to Sony Park Mini every weekend, offering opportunities for communication.

[Notes]
  • Sony Park Mini is a tiny space of around 30 m². You are asked to note that a limit will be placed on the number of people allowed to enter the space at any one time.
  • Any changes to the program will be announced on Sony Park’s official social media account.

[Measures to prevent infection]
Measures will be implemented to prevent the spread of infections at Sony Park Mini.
  • Alcohol disinfectant will be available.
  • Reinforce disinfection and ventilation.
  • Staff will check their temperatures before coming to work, and regularly gargle their mouths, as well as wash and disinfect their hands.