Zero Yen Research and Doing Tour in Japan 2016+

a project on the shelter crisis - project overview various output index: all public outputs //// publications, presentations, workshops, performances, activities, installations, buildings, resources ongoing Japan-related projects: all //// collaborations video index: all supported by xin cheng, chris berthelsen and NZJEP

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Use of a Found Trolley (2016)

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Cardboard Construction in Zushi (2016)

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Nogawa Park Learning Session (2016)

After a wet night in Nogawa Park (Koganei City, Tokyo) we were gifted a learning session by a group of men that live in and nearby the park. Learnings included wild weather survival techniques, delicious and poisonous fungi, consumption philosophy, and distributed park storage, for a start. More details later. We were also lucky to be joined by interested parties who biked in or took the train in from various points across the megacity.

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Miro Art Lab / Arisugawa Park (2016)

While sleeping a park in west Tokyo we were encouraged to venture into the heart of Tokyo’s upmarket Minato Ward to meet Miro Art Lab. We found prepared a hut for us to sleep in, leading to an impromptu making session with passers-by. They were unconvinced that we would be able to spend the night in a park in Tokyo’s political and multinational corporate centre of power and put us up in a wild house full of snoring kids in a luxury suburb.

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Akishima Kindergarten Workshop (2016)

Four days of cardboard experimentation around mobile houses, wheels, and disaster improvisation at a suburban Tokyo kindergarten.

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Kyohei Sakaguchi Translations (2015+)

Part of our 2016 trip was inspired by Polymath and President of the New Government (新政府) in Kumamoto, Kyohei Sakaguchi.

Chris has been translating (rough drafts) parts of his writings as he reads them so that they can be shared more widely. He is now working on the English translation of his book 「現実脱出論」 (tentative English title: Theory for Escaping Reality) with Corey Turpin and Kaz Egashira, the translators of his 2012 bestselling (in Japan) “Build Your Own Independent Nation” 独立国家のつくりかた).

Text resource HERE

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Art-Based Approach for Developing Disaster Improvisation Capabilities (2016)

An invited article for Community Network (May 2016) – The official newsletter of the Auckland District Council of Social Services

View on Slideshare HERE or download HERE

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split/fountain exhibition at C7C gallery and bookshop (2016)

Midori Kadokura, Youhei Shimada, and Xin constructed this cardboard tunnel and display space for the split/fountain exhibition at C7C gallery and bookshop in Nagoya Japan which included junk food dog bowls and a chimney of sound piping out field recordings of our doings in Japan. Based on our numerous cardboard explorations and workshops in Japan during our 2016 trip.

“split/fountain exhibition at C7C gallery and bookshop in Nagoya Japan (28 May–5 June 2016). Cardboard tunnels by Midori Kadokura, Youhei Shimada, Chris Berthelsen and Xin Cheng. Images by Asumi Mizuo.”

Sounds to be published soon by split/fountain as makeshift pamphlet #3: sounds from Japan

More photos HERE

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Tokyo Base (2012-Onward)

In the Tokyo Base project Chris is slowly cleaning up a derelict hut by the Tamagawa river in the Tokyo hinterlands and working with neighbours in their endeavors to create a new and vital social environment. A work in progress, a works of love.

Project log HERE

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Tokyo by Water (2012)

A tour/workshop organized with Jared Braiterman for the two week long Still City symposium in Tokyo.

Details HERE

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Tokyo Colour-In (2009)

Tokyo colour-in and activity book. The colouring-in book of Tokyo street art. A colouring-in book of Tokyo street art created to introduce little hands and minds to the fine-grained hand made aspects of human(e) creativity on the street. Developed from the Tokyo street art research project.

More details HERE

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Tokyo Street Art Survey (2008)

A 5,500 image survey of street art in selected areas of Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku (Kabukicho, Hyakunincho), Kunitachi) collected as part of an investigation into the relationship of creative uses of public space and spatial configuration. Downloadable as the Tokyo Street Art Resource More details, links and downloads HERE

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Tokyo Local Fruit (2011-13)

Tokyo Local Fruits is a public project looking at non-commercial fruit in Tokyo private gardens and public spaces. We learn about what is being grown, where, and how it is being enjoyed and shared - the simple, everyday tastes, stories and memories of fruit in Tokyo. 

It is a collaboration with Jared Braiterman and Jess Mantell

Project page HERE

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fixes (fixing Tokyo) (2010-onwards)

This project  investigates, documents, and creates a resource of alterations of space/objects at the public/private boundary in suburban Tokyo.

Project page HERE

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Tokyo-DIY-Gardening (2010-Onward)

Tokyo-DIY-Gardening is an open sourcebook and resource for urban gardening on a personal level – “hands-on gardening for a crowded city”. It includes ‘how-to’ examples/instructions, photo essays, observations, interviews, articles and more with the aim of knowledge sharing and creation around low-cost, agile gardening in dense cities (with a focus on Tokyo).

It is a collaboration with design anthropologist Jared Braiterman.

Project resource HERE

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With Akishima Kindergarten (2012-Onward)

A researcher and (non)design collaboration with a local alternative kindergarten in suburban Tokyo. Here, Chris (1) investigates and documents how the children use and perceive their learning environments and (2) conveys and works with findings to develop and expand a learning cycle with parents and teachers.

Project page HERE

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Makeshift at the Chinese New Year Festival Mar 7 2015 Used resource materials from research in Japan, Cambodia and the EU to “develop a shared understanding of home-made remedies”. Supported by Whau Local Board

More details HERE , and report/photos HERE