KOKO NI IRU Exhibition

KOKO NI IRU is an art exhibition with an assemblage of Japanese memorabilia in Utrecht that is the result of an extensive social and artistic research project created by the artistic directors of JACCU.

This project opens the doors to the small but rich community of Japanese people in Utrecht, with their own values and cultural heritage. By exploring the fragments of memories and unique perspectives of individuals, we hope that the audience can also reflect on their connection with the neighbourhood, the city and the province of Utrecht. The exhibition shows an archive of personal experiences and sensations that are hidden behind the walls, with an intention to reveal a genuine story of Japanese life in connection to Utrecht.

After 6 months of the artistic research phase, the exhibition is open to the public in the Bibliotheek Neude. We made a great start with an opening reception on the 30th of September. The visitors got to explore the exhibition space quietly. After the silent walk, the artist talk took place, where the JACCU Artistic Committee member Marina Višić asked the researchers and curators Taciser Sevinc and Hiroko Matsushita about the development of the project and the result in the form of an art exhibition.

Exhibition in de Bieb!

We interviewed 28 people with Japanese roots living in the Province of Utrecht. The main question of the interview is: What makes you feel at home in Utrecht?

Through these interviews, we collected personal items that symbolise their memories in addition to the stories. All these items are curated and exhibited in the 2nd floor of the library, alongside the books for 6 weeks. Through these items, visitors can explore unique stories from Japanese culture in Utrecht. Each item has a special meaning for the owner, attached to a special memory about their connection to their neighbourhood or the city of Utrecht.

Most of the interviews are in audio visual format. We prepared short videos of the interviews, and they are available in the exhibition room, on our coffee table. These videos are also available on our website.

Watch interviews online

Events Every Friday

Every Friday we have events in connection to the exhibition KOKO NI IRU.

We have a lot of interviewees who accepted our invitation for a live interview in the library that is open to all visitors!

Just before the live interviews, we will have guided tours of the exhibition. Join us at 16:00 for a tour and listen to the stories in Dutch, Japanese, or in English. After the tour, on the ground floor, the live interviews will take place in the Tribune starting at 17:00.

Programme

Exhibition
October 1 – November 11 2022
Neude Library, 2nd floor, Spannend & Actief, Literatuurkamer
everyday during opening hours

Guided Tours
Every Friday 16:00 – 17:00
Neude Library, 2nd Floor, the meeting point is the “Klantenservice” desk

October 7 – Dutch & English
October 14 – Japanese
October 21 – Dutch & English
October 28 – Japanese
November 4 – Dutch & English
November 11 – Dutch & English

Live Interviews
Every Friday 17:00 – 18:00
Neude Library, Ground Floor, Tribune

October 7 – Emi & Yuki
October 14 – Michiko Peters Sekino
October 21 – Yuki Sakuma & Azuma Matsukubo
October 28 – Misae Endo
November 4 – Mayumi Egawa
November 11 – Yoshi Noda

Opening of the reflection wall
October 28 18:00 – 19:00
Neude Library, 2nd Floor, Spannend & Actief

All activities are admission free, open to all library visitors!

KOKO NI IRU is part of the programme of Utrecht 900!

This project resonates with the theme of the Utrecht 900 celebrations, ‘City without walls’ with the intention of celebrating the different people of Utrecht. We want to make a big picture of the Japanese community living in Utrecht and make a significant celebration all together.

Many thanks to Gemeente Utrecht, the Utrecht 900 committee for granting us a generous subsidy to realise this project!