The streets and buildings in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, are exhibiting works of art brut, which can be translated as "raw art," expressed freely based on the sensibilities of the individual.
The 10th Art Brut "Street" Exhibits is organized by the association of local shopping districts and the ward's social welfare services corporation Aiseikai, among others.
Art brut is a term coined by a French painter in the 1940s, referring to works created with original ideas and methods that are not bound by common sense or history, often by creators who have no special art education or are mentally or intellectually challenged.
"The term 'art brut' wasn't heard of when we first launched this event, but I think it's becoming more known these days. We want to continue spreading this art form," a member of Aiseikai said.
The Nakano Sun Mall shopping street -- located north of JR Nakano Station -- has become an "aerial gallery" due to the 14 banners, each 1.8 meters long and 3 meters wide, that hang from the ceiling displaying photographs of art brut projects.
Nakano Broadway Stairwell Gallery Spaces feature dozens of poster reproductions of art brut pieces, while at four shopping streets, a bank and a mall within the ward, the works of 25 artists are displayed in an exhibition called the Art Brut "Street" Exhibits.
Every work is unique. For example, one piece of art is a sheet of paper with the front of trains drawn all over it. Colored pencils are used to illustrate the trains in such detail that they look real and it amazes and fascinates viewers. There are a lot of colorful works as well. In an art piece with cows and flamingos, the cows are either blue or green or black, while the flamingos are pink or red or white, creating a very distinct look.
Yoshitaka Kaneko, secretary general of the Nakano Broadway shopping district promotion association, said, "Nakano has been a city of art and culture for a long time, and it has an atmosphere of accepting various kinds of art."
An Aiseikai member said, "The exhibition provides a space where people can see art infused with bundles of energy, melting into everyday life."
Gallery Little High is located on the fourth floor of Nakano Broadway and is displaying the works of seven artists until Feb. 24.
The Art Brut "Street" Exhibits runs through March 1.
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