TONARI (Neighborhood) Project

Having gained extensive experience in curating and art management, Min Nishihara worked at a welfare office in Los Angeles as a social worker and mental health therapist. For the Tokyo Biennale, she will open the art studio “TONARI” made using perspectives of art therapy and social work as socially engaged art. The studio will be open during the event period as a free space for anyone seeking positive changes. The program will also provide facilitator training for those who are willing to develop and utilize their experience and creativity. The open studio will connect people through any form of expression and will be a place for people and communities.

Support: Chiyoda-ku Urban Development Support (2020)

(As of March 2020)

1: Yanaka house, 2019, Ueno Sakuragi Atari (Tokyo)
2: Workshop on multicultural environments, 2017, Los Angeles
3: Yanaka house, 2019, Ichida residence (Tokyo)

https://tonari-jp.org/

Current Activities

[Counseling]　“Tonari Room” Opened @ 3331 Arts Chiyoda (August 19 and 23, 2020)
Counseling was offered on various issues related to home and the workplace, as well as specialized counseling for students, artists, and creators working in the field of art and other creative disciplines. We are currently accepting applications at any time through the project website.

[Workshop & Exhibition]　“Children’s Conference—A Town Created by Us” Let’s Build Our Town! Everyone gather at 3331〜(August 17-23, 2020)
A workshop and exhibition was held as a preliminary event in preparation for the running of a free space where anyone can casually stop by, from children to students, adults, people living alone, mothers raising children, families, international students, immigrants from overseas, and people of advanced age.

[note]　TALK: Three-person Dialogue with Min Nishihara, Sanae Takahata, and Kaoru Endo

Artist