Yubido Restoration Project—Nikui Hodo Yasashi

Born in Odate City (Akita, Japan) in 1963. Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts (Department of Painting). A socially conscious artist who actively develops art projects with focus on “art x community x industry”. In the early 1990’s, he set up guerilla art projects such as“THE GINBURART” in Ginza and “Shinjuku Shonen Art” in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district (1993). From 1996 on, the artist caught global attention by transforming corporate identities into artworks, one major example being the McDonald’s golden arches. In 1997, he formed an alternative artist initiative called “Command N”. Activities of this group include the international video installation “Akihabara TV” held in 1999 and 2000. His work was displayed in the 49th Venice Biennale (2001) Japan Pavilion “First & Slow” exhibition. He is the founder of numerous art projects including “himming” in Himi (Toyama Pref.) and “ZERODATE” in Odate (Akita Pref.). In 2010, he also founded 3331 Arts Chiyoda as an independent and sustainable art center. Through Command N and 3331, Nakamura has initiated 10 art bases and held 740 art projects, in addition to overseeing close to 3,100 events involving the collaboration of 2,000 artists, 180 core staff members, and 1,350 supporting staff/volunteers. With an extensive background in a variety of expressive activities, starting in summer 2020 he is taking on the challenge of developing the Tokyo Biennale, an art festival that will harness the cultural and artistic resources underlying the city of Tokyo.