Experience the Digital Art Exhibition at Kairakuen Garden
Digital art collective teamLab has unveiled an incredible new exhibition that transforms Kairakuen Garden in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture into a psychedelic, kaleidoscopic open-air art experience. This interactive display features 3,000 plum blossom trees, which are converted into dynamic living artwork, thanks to groundbreaking technology.
Exhibition Details
Running from February 13 to March 21, 2021, this exhibition is part of teamLab’s Digitized Nature Project. The installation responds to the presence of visitors and coincides with the 120-year-old Mitsu Ume (plum) Festival. The concept behind the project is that non-material digital technology can transform nature into art without causing harm. As visitors explore, vibrant digital projections are cast onto trees, rocks, and landscapes, morphing and moving in response to their presence. The outdoor setting also facilitates the implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols.
Exploring the Concept
teamLab articulated the philosophy behind the exhibition: “Humans cannot recognize time longer than their own lifespans. In other words, there is a boundary in our understanding of the long continuity of time. The forms and shapes of nature have developed over many years, influenced by the interactions between people and nature. Therefore, we believe we can explore this boundary through the shapes of nature itself.”
Kairakuen Garden’s Historic Significance
Kairakuen Garden, established in 1842 at the end of the Edo Period, is notable for its incredible pond-centered landscaping. It has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and is recognized as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The garden, alongside Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and Korakuen Garden in Okayama, is celebrated for its impressive collection of approximately 300 varieties of plum trees, making it renowned for its breathtaking plum blossoms that bloom over an extended period.
For more information about the Digitized Kairakuen Garden experience, visit the official teamLab website.
