January 13

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Flowers By Naked

Posted by on January 13, 2016 in Awesome Stuff To Do, Just...Beautiful | 5 Comments

(I put together this one-minute video because seriously, stills just couldn’t capture how awesome this show is YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY)

The name of this exhibition only makes sense if you recognize the name of the digital artists known as Naked, who are the hottest projection-mapping badasses in Tokyo right now.

And HOO BOY they did not disappoint!

I’m always ready to be un-wowed by projection mapping, because if it’s not installed meticulously, the animation spills off onto whatever’s behind, and if it’s not shown in pretty serious darkness, it’s wimpy and washed-out looking. But the good folks at Coredo (the same place that hosts the awesome Art Aquarium every summer) helped Naked avoid all the no-nos, and this animated flower-themed extravaganza is truly spectacular from beginning to end.

But enough blabbing, seriously, here are some pictures! (If you can spare a minute and twenty-five seconds, watch the highlights video, because the illuminations are MAGIC in motion.)

This giant book comes alive, with petals that fly off the page and swirl around the room.

This giant book comes alive, with petals that fly off the page and swirl around the room…

...bringing these flowers to life with crazy colors as the petals whiz past.

…bringing these flowers to life with crazy colors as the petals whiz past.

Stand inside the Dandelion Clock column and watch the seeds swirl up and around you.

Stand inside the Dandelion Clock column and watch the seeds swirl up and around you.

This little piece of fairyland is impossible to capture in a still – watch the video to see it sparkle and come to life!

Okay, this “Frozen Roses” fairyland just looks super lame in a still photo. Pleeeeze watch the video so you can see how it sparkles and comes to life!

The fibonnacci spiral pulls you deeper into flowerland through this jungle of lilies and projected blooms

The fibonnacci spiral pulls you deeper into flowerland through this jungle of lilies with a flurry of projected blooms

Naturally, there's a bar.

Naturally, there’s a bar mid-exhibit, so you can rest your reeling senses before diving in for more…

Which serves original cocktails and a non-alcoholic tea with flowers frozen into the ice that "bloom" as it melts.

…and it serves original cocktails plus a non-alcoholic tea with flowers frozen into the ice that “bloom” as it melts.

And finally, the alchemist's workshop, where cherry blossoms are gathered in gaint bunches, then set free.

And finally, the alchemist’s workshop, where cherry blossoms are gathered in giant bunches, then set free.

Flowers By Naked is ¥1300 for adults at the door, open every day until February 6, 2016 from 10:00 – 20:00 (Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00) on the 5th floor of the Coredo Building (1-4-1 Nihonbashi). A map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.

The video music isn’t from the show, it’s “Porcelain” by Helen Jane Long. Because if they’d known about Helen Jane Long, they’d have used her music too, just sayin’.

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Jonelle Patrick writes mysteries set in Tokyo. Her fourth book – Painted Doll – is just out in paperback 

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