TeamLab Event in Hiroshima for the Young and the Young at Heart

Jul 25, 2016

TeamLab Event in Hiroshima for the Young and the Young at Heart

Summer vacation can be a difficult time for parents, especially when their children utter that dreaded phrase, “I’m bored!”

Never fear! This summer there is plenty to do in Hiroshima and the interactive exhibition by the creative people at teamLab will no doubt keep both children and adults alike entertained for a good while.

The Tokyo-based company, teamLab was founded back in 2001 by Toshiyuki Inoko. It brings together a multi-disciplinary group of people who refer to themselves as ‘ultra-technologists.’ By combining technology, art and design with the natural world around them, they create interactive pieces of art that are exhibited both within Japan and overseas.

This summer Hiroshima is lucky enough to be hosting one of the team’s exhibitions at the NTT Cred Hall, which is located on the 11 floor of Pacela next to SOGO department store. The Hall is famous for its summer events, with last year’s aquarium being a real hit with everyone who attended.

This year’s event will feature numerous installations including a Crystal Universe and a Sketch Aquarium that involve audience participation and different forms of interaction such as touch.

Although the Crystal Universe is aimed primarily at adults, children are sure to enjoy it as well. By walking through a ‘forest’ of LED lights you are able to alter the Universe and you are also able to make changes by selecting elements and swiping towards to the installation via your smartphone.

The Sketch Aquarium is designed for children, although I know for a fact I won’t be the only adult who plans to join in on the fun. Children are able to choose and colour in various sea creatures, which are then scanned and the images projected onto a screen to create a virtual aquarium. By touching the screen, children can make the fish swim away and they can even feed them by touching a ‘food bag.’

The event opens on Wednesday July 27 and will run until Sunday September 4 so there’s plenty of time to go again if you… I mean, the kids, enjoy it.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at 7-Eleven at a cost of 1000 yen for adults, 700 for junior and senior high school students and 500 yen for children. You can also buy tickets at the door but these are slightly more expensive at 1200, 800 and 600 yen respectively. The exhibition is open between 10am and 8pm every single day, with the last admission at 7.30pm.

If you want to learn more about the teamLab group themselves, check out their website at https://www.team-lab.net

For specific information on the actual event go to https://www.team-lab.net/exhibitions/nttcredhall/ (English) and for a detailed Japanese version, head to http://exhibition.team-lab.net/hiroshima/

Photo by: https://www.team-lab.net/exhibitions/nttcredhall/