made in Harajuku @ Designfesta Gallery, Tokyo

CiteXture
A0-A2-A4-A6-A8: Made in Harajuku
27 June – 1 July 2007
Designfesta Gallery, Harajuku
By Dr Davisi Boontharm

CiteXture is a series of works which, in different techniques, present my reflection about the city. CiteXture is based on an understanding that the cities are textual compositions (Barthes 1965), that they can be understood as composed of multiplicity of individual "words" and "phrases", structured by the syntax of an unique language. And, “un bon croquis vaut mieux qu'un long discours" ("A good sketch is better than a long speech", Napoleon), or as “a picture is worth a thousand words” (proverb).

As an architect and urbanist, in my current postdoctoral research at the University of Tokyo,
I focus on Harajuku. The artwork presented in this exhibition accompanies my research. It parallels the traditional research process and, on occasions, it also feeds into that other side of my work. Art satisfies my need for subjective reflection and communication in an universal language of pictures and sketches. It helps me to express Harajuku in a fuller sense. And, as Harajuku is very much about image and image making, these drawings and collages seek to express that place as in a series of images.

This exhibition is presented through an ubiquitous architectural and urban design theme- that of “scale”. The scales in which I explore Harajuku are translated into standard paper formats - ISO216, better known as the “A series” (1: √2 ratio).

Each work covers an area of 1m2, which corresponds to the A0. Paper sizes, which range from A0 to A8, were used to present the scales which best capture various aspects of life in Harajuku:

A0 (841x1189) - The Harajuku mosaic
Many small pieces form an A0. From a good distance the full message of the work emerges: the life of Harajuku lends itself to another reading - the kanji "Harajuku".

A2 ( 420x594) - The Urahara collage
The City is a collage (Rowe and Koetter 1984).
In this work, the focus is on Urahara, the heart of Harajuku. An A2 is used to collage different elements of that vibrant area, all layered onto the map. The overall picture comments on the character of Urahara, as a quality in itself and as a part of Harajuku.

A4 (210x297) - The Human scale
A4 is considered to be the most suitable for everyday life. It is used universally - for note-taking, writing, printing, photocopying. Here A4 presents the people of Harajuku. Unlike spaces, the people and their acvtivities are beyond scales. These drawings capture the stories lived and told in Harajuku. All together, they weave a complex text(ure) of Harajuku.

A6 (105x148) - The Pocket scale
A6 is a postcard size. It is sued for papers which we want to put in our pockets. This part of my work is comprised of a series of sketches, proposed souvenirs from Urahara. The visitors are invited to buy them, as the souvenirs, as the mementos of this place, as an invitation to remember the event.


A8 (52x74) - The ‘post-it’ notes
They offer a blank surface, and another invitation to you - this time that is an invitation to participate. Please take part in citeXture by answering my brief questions and providing your feedback. Your insights will lead me towards better understanding of Harajuku.

Please answer the questionnaires
1. Your age
2. Your Gender
3. Where are you from?
4. How often you come to Harajuku
5. You and Harajuku?
6. Other comment…
you can use many A8 post-it notes


Thank you for your cooperation
I hope you will enjoy the exhibition and Harajuku.