Design Festa
+ ODAIBA, TOKYO

Twice a year, in the Tokyo Big Site located in Odaiba, the mighty Design Festa event takes place. Design Festa is a massive, CANNOT MISS, sprawling event that fills the Tokyo Big Site event center to the brim with local and international art of nearly every genre. As their website states, there are no sponsors, restrictions or age limits, just as long as the work is original. Exhibitors can rent a booth from ¥10,000 for the smallest size and up from there, prices vary depending on booth location. Once you rent a booth, you can do anything, from performance art to selling your stuff like t-shirts, toys, furniture, anything. Visitors can buy a day pass for ¥1,000 and a two day pass for ¥1,800. If you buy in advance, it’s ¥800 per day and ¥1,500 for two days. If you already live in Japan, advance tickets can be bought at Ticket PIA, Lawsons and directly from the Design Festa office/gallery in the Harajuku area. Children under 12 are admitted free. The doors open at 11AM and close at 7PM.

When I first arrived in Tokyo, besides Shimo Kitazawa and Kichijoji, I really wasn’t sure where to buy local art by young and upcoming Japanese artists. Sure there are small shops scattered throughout Tokyo, but Design Festa is really the spot. In past years I’ve picked up some wicked hand printed tshirts, posters, print art and hand-made lights for my apartment. A lot of the exhibitors are art students trying their hand at selling their work for their first time, and a lot of it is brilliantly creative and beautiful. It’s a real treat to spend a weekend browsing the show. Even for non-artists, there’s no way you’ll leave without feeling inspired to join the next event.

The performance art is another great spectacle. When entering the event area, there’s a runway at the front where new fashion designers exhibit their latest styles. Exotic, modern takes on kimonos and fusion styles abound. In between many exhibitors you’ll find some wild performances by Japanese “Noh” dancers, experimental DJ’s, light and sound artists, it’s nearly endless. I recommend starting early, I still have trouble finishing the entire showroom in a single day. You might even run into someone famous, like the Tokidoki guy or any number popular Japanese rockers performing on the outdoor stage. If you’re hungry, there’s a cafeteria in the middle area where you can try all kinds of great international foods. Last year had Korean, Chinese, African curry, Okinawan and many others. Plenty of beer and wine as well from the various bar stands.

Design Festa runs about twice a year, usually May and December. In my opinion, it is easily one of the reasons you should visit Japan(unless you already live here). For artists and creators, this is a great place to get started. Not only fine arts, but also unique fields like stop motion animation, character designs, and action figures to name a few are on display. It’s one MASSIVE art free-for-all. Highly recommended.

Design Festa
When: May 26th (Sat) & 27 (Sun) 2007*
Hours: 11AM - 7PM
Location: Tokyo International Exhibition Center “TOKYO BIG SIGHT”
West Hall 1, 2, 3, 4, Atrium & Outdoor
URL: http://www.designfesta.com
Map: coming soon! Check back in the next few days…

*Check website occasionally for upcoming events and dates. Date listed above is for next event in relation to this article.

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