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Through creative projects, I contribute to society. For instance, I create murals that nurture community, strengthen bonds, and educate about culture. In events, I collaborate across diverse fields for mutual inspiration, generating new cultural values. Workshops provide opportunities for people of all ages to appreciate creativity. In design, I emphasize a brand's philosophy and its message to society. With a creative mindset, I explore various domains to address societal challenges.
Projects
Video artwork featuring dancer Honomi Kuwana
The unprecedented chaos caused by the pandemic has finally subsided, and just when a fleeting calm seemed to have arrived, political corruption and social conflicts are erupting everywhere in the world. Societies are being divided, and people continue senseless conflicts.
It's difficult to bear witness to scenes on the news every day that seem like lies. Days are spent turning off the television screen, trying to act as if nothing has happened.
However, in reality, there are people who have lost their homes, been separated from their families and friends, and struggle even to find daily sustenance.
No matter how much one wishes for peace, the situation is not improving; in fact, it seems to be worsening.
Even in the midst of striving to make those around you happy, there is a persistent feeling of discomfort deep in the throat.
Feeling unable to do anything in the face of such a situation, even expressing oneself irresponsibly won't change the world. One feels powerless.
Still, unwilling to give up, the desire to leave even a small trace of energy through expression in the hope of making some positive change in this situation led to the creation of this work.
Hoping that the game played by those in power with lives will come to an end as soon as possible and that everyone can live in a world where they feel secure, can be themselves, and spend time with their loved ones is a heartfelt wish.
Music / Matryoshka "Sacred Play Secret Place"
Dancer / Honomi Kuwana @honomiddd
Place / Shibuya HOME @shibuya_home
Special thanks to Kenji Miyauchi @cumulo.kenji
Produced by Shinjiro Tanaka @tnk02
It's difficult to bear witness to scenes on the news every day that seem like lies. Days are spent turning off the television screen, trying to act as if nothing has happened.
However, in reality, there are people who have lost their homes, been separated from their families and friends, and struggle even to find daily sustenance.
No matter how much one wishes for peace, the situation is not improving; in fact, it seems to be worsening.
Even in the midst of striving to make those around you happy, there is a persistent feeling of discomfort deep in the throat.
Feeling unable to do anything in the face of such a situation, even expressing oneself irresponsibly won't change the world. One feels powerless.
Still, unwilling to give up, the desire to leave even a small trace of energy through expression in the hope of making some positive change in this situation led to the creation of this work.
Hoping that the game played by those in power with lives will come to an end as soon as possible and that everyone can live in a world where they feel secure, can be themselves, and spend time with their loved ones is a heartfelt wish.
Music / Matryoshka "Sacred Play Secret Place"
Dancer / Honomi Kuwana @honomiddd
Place / Shibuya HOME @shibuya_home
Special thanks to Kenji Miyauchi @cumulo.kenji
Produced by Shinjiro Tanaka @tnk02
Enso
A one-night experimental live performance by three artists: Shinjiro Tanaka, dancer Zabu, and musician Dag Force.
Solo Exhibition "Rebirth"
Memories and experiences from the past can have different meanings when re-considered after a certain period of time. Similarly, the human body and spirit seem to transform little by little as a kind of life and death are repeated between the time we wake up in the morning and go to bed.
With " Rebirth" as the theme of this exhibition, the main group of artworks was created by stripping and reconstructing most of the canvas works from the past. The other works, created in a wide variety of styles, suggest the broad potential of human beings.
To explain why I chose this theme, I need to share my own experience.
Until 2011, I was an extremely busy office worker, so caught up in the daily grind that I had no idea that I would ever become an artist. However, in 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, the death of someone close to me, a sudden job transfer, and other major changes in my environment all happened at the same time, and my life collapsed, so I needed to start a new life.
After much consideration, I quit my job and moved to New York in 2012, where I spent the next five years. During that time, I came into contact with a truly diverse range of people and cultures, and my values gradually changed through various experiences.Now I live with my wife, whom I met in New York and our three children.
If there had been no painful events that I did not want to experience, there are people I would not have met, and lives unborn.Life is a mysterious thing, but it is a fact that everything, good or bad, will eventually take on some new meaning.
As of 2023, there are many disasters and conflicts happening all over the world, and many people may be in despair. The wounds of these people may never fully heal. However, I wish that the light of hope will be brought back to life, even if it takes a long time.
I hope that this exhibition will help spread some positive energy in the world, no matter how small.
With " Rebirth" as the theme of this exhibition, the main group of artworks was created by stripping and reconstructing most of the canvas works from the past. The other works, created in a wide variety of styles, suggest the broad potential of human beings.
To explain why I chose this theme, I need to share my own experience.
Until 2011, I was an extremely busy office worker, so caught up in the daily grind that I had no idea that I would ever become an artist. However, in 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, the death of someone close to me, a sudden job transfer, and other major changes in my environment all happened at the same time, and my life collapsed, so I needed to start a new life.
After much consideration, I quit my job and moved to New York in 2012, where I spent the next five years. During that time, I came into contact with a truly diverse range of people and cultures, and my values gradually changed through various experiences.Now I live with my wife, whom I met in New York and our three children.
If there had been no painful events that I did not want to experience, there are people I would not have met, and lives unborn.Life is a mysterious thing, but it is a fact that everything, good or bad, will eventually take on some new meaning.
As of 2023, there are many disasters and conflicts happening all over the world, and many people may be in despair. The wounds of these people may never fully heal. However, I wish that the light of hope will be brought back to life, even if it takes a long time.
I hope that this exhibition will help spread some positive energy in the world, no matter how small.
Dashi Joint
In 2022, an art and music party was organized to celebrate the completion of a mural at Dashi Brooklyn in New York. Many people visited and enjoyed performances, meals, and participatory art workshops.
POD Brooklyn Hotel
While residing at the POD Brooklyn Hotel in 2022, I forged a meaningful connection with the staff, leading to the exciting opportunity to create a vibrant mural within the hotel. As communication deepened with both the dedicated staff and fellow guests, I experienced a sense of belonging, akin to being embraced as part of a close-knit artistic family.
The wall painting project at my alma mater
The wall painting project at my alma mater has been completed. On the first day, 500 students freely painted on the wall, and I completed the work by adding outlines in just one day. I struggled with how to combine the original image and the wonderful drawings of the children. Inspired by the lyrics of the school song, "The universe is a children's playground," the children's free drawings became a playground for children in the universe. Therefore, instead of painting on top of the children's drawings, I adopted an image of looking down on the children's planet in the universe. However, considering the expectations of the children and teachers, I decided to use a shutter suddenly.
The picture shows a scene where seeds are passed from adults to children, which is also a kind of self-portrait. I was a child myself, and I was a student here. Now I am an adult, and my son attends this school. All children will eventually become adults. And this chain will continue.
In a world filled with dark topics like war, disease, and recession, I wanted to create a moment for the children to remember that school was a fun place. Thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to the children and teachers.
Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation. Let's all have more fun in this universe.
The picture shows a scene where seeds are passed from adults to children, which is also a kind of self-portrait. I was a child myself, and I was a student here. Now I am an adult, and my son attends this school. All children will eventually become adults. And this chain will continue.
In a world filled with dark topics like war, disease, and recession, I wanted to create a moment for the children to remember that school was a fun place. Thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to the children and teachers.
Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation. Let's all have more fun in this universe.
For the future 2023
A participation mural painting event was held at "For the Future 2023" in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Over 6,000 people visited the event over two days and painted their own messages to express their hopes for the future.
Art & Music Party "Evergreen"
3pm Cafe, a popular spot in Nishiazabu, closed on February 28 due to the demolition of the building. To celebrate its last summer, a one-day art and music party called "EVERGREEN" was held on July 28.
The event featured an art exhibition by painter Shinjiro Tanaka, a collaboration burger, and music and live performances by DJ OKU & BEN, Suga-P, Nukie, Wisteria, artefact, and Kosuke James.
The event was a great success, with many people in attendance. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the last summer of 3pm Cafe
The event featured an art exhibition by painter Shinjiro Tanaka, a collaboration burger, and music and live performances by DJ OKU & BEN, Suga-P, Nukie, Wisteria, artefact, and Kosuke James.
The event was a great success, with many people in attendance. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the last summer of 3pm Cafe
NISHIHACHI ART SUNDAY
The participatory mural at Nishihachioji Watariburo was created in December 2021, as a project of TokyoDex, with the support of Nuries Corporation.
The mural is a bright orange color that expresses the connection between the people and the wishes of the town.
I was the painter, and the initial concept was to draw a shape like a motorcycle exhaust pipe. However, I considered the safety of the participants and decided to divide the mural into two parts.
On the day of the event, a wide range of participants, from adults to children, enjoyed themselves freely, throwing paint and drawing their own colors and patterns.
I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and creativity of the participants. I hope that this mural will be a message of hope in a world where a sense of closure pervades during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mural is a bright orange color that expresses the connection between the people and the wishes of the town.
I was the painter, and the initial concept was to draw a shape like a motorcycle exhaust pipe. However, I considered the safety of the participants and decided to divide the mural into two parts.
On the day of the event, a wide range of participants, from adults to children, enjoyed themselves freely, throwing paint and drawing their own colors and patterns.
I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and creativity of the participants. I hope that this mural will be a message of hope in a world where a sense of closure pervades during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Azden 70th Anniversary Mural Event
A mural was completed at Mitaka Business Park to commemorate Azden's 70th anniversary. Painter Shinjiro Tanaka was in charge of the production and painted an abstract artwork in two weeks. A block party was also held to commemorate the completion of the mural. The event featured dance lessons, a DJ, food trucks, and other events, attracting a large number of visitors.
Kodama Project
A collaboration between traditional kokeshi and contemporary art. Impressed by the beauty of Takahashi Hiroto's woodturning, Tanaka Shinjiro drew delicate black and white line art with a single pen, realizing a fusion of tradition and innovation.
The surface of the kokeshi is smooth, and the bleeding of the ink varies depending on the position of the grain, making it difficult to draw fine lines. However, Tanaka experimented repeatedly to bring out the unique texture of the kokeshi, and finally completed a work that was satisfactory.
This work can be said to have created new value by demonstrating the beauty of Japanese traditional crafts and the possibilities of contemporary art.
The surface of the kokeshi is smooth, and the bleeding of the ink varies depending on the position of the grain, making it difficult to draw fine lines. However, Tanaka experimented repeatedly to bring out the unique texture of the kokeshi, and finally completed a work that was satisfactory.
This work can be said to have created new value by demonstrating the beauty of Japanese traditional crafts and the possibilities of contemporary art.
Dreams of Canvas
While recovering from a knee injury, I came up with an AI-powered mystery game on Instagram. I'll be posting one episode per day for seven days, and the first person to find the hidden word in each episode will win an NFT.
Macool
Daisuke Inomoto @dainomot × Shinjiro Tanaka @tnk02 × MACOOL @macool.japan A collaborative work by Daisuke Inomoto, an artist who draws letters as motifs, and Shinjiro Tanaka, an artist who expresses mainly with lines. Under the theme of "reunion," Daisuke draws words in various languages, sincerely rejoicing in their reunion. Shinjiro's countless repetitive lines signify the connection between people and their feelings that transcends time.
Mural for Fujitsu Kawasaki Office
The mural at the Fujitsu Kawasaki office is a work about trust. I expressed trust by connecting lines. I drew the Fuchū Kaidō, a major road in Kawasaki, in the center, and lines depicting streets and Jizo statues around it.
Although it may look like an abstract painting, you can see the motif of Jizo statues that have been watching over Fuchū Kaidō for centuries. I also drew motifs of life events that can only happen if there is trust, like building blocks, handshakes, toasts, and engagements.
These events are depicted along the flow of life. Jizo statues are linked to the locations where they are installed on Fuchū Kaidō as seen from satellite photos.
Although it may look like an abstract painting, you can see the motif of Jizo statues that have been watching over Fuchū Kaidō for centuries. I also drew motifs of life events that can only happen if there is trust, like building blocks, handshakes, toasts, and engagements.
These events are depicted along the flow of life. Jizo statues are linked to the locations where they are installed on Fuchū Kaidō as seen from satellite photos.
Roppongi Art Night 2022
I attended Roppongi Art Night 2022, a diverse art festival in Tokyo's Roppongi area. The event aims to propose a new lifestyle of enjoying art and pioneer urban development. It features contemporary art, design, music, and more across Roppongi, with various venues like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown. The event started in 2009, representing Tokyo's art festival, but was canceled in 2011 due to the East Japan earthquake and in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. The 2022 edition had free admission for most programs and museum exhibitions, with support from Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other organizations.
Home Sweet Home
A jam session event at the Shibuya live house HOME, featuring artists from various genres and open to audience participation. The event is adorned with freely accessible art workshops, creating a fun and lively atmosphere reminiscent of playing with friends at home.
Drink & Draw
Drink & Draw is a workshop where people can enjoy art in a free and relaxed atmosphere. This time, the event was held at Seijomya Cellar, a 100-year-old establishment in Nerima, Tokyo. The first part of the workshop was a warm-up, the second part was a group activity, and the third part was a themed project. DJ music and live painting were also performed, creating a lively atmosphere.
「oto to e to... ～ART×MUSIC～」LIVE Opening Video
Collaborative video work featuring animation by artist Shinjiro Tanaka, dance by Zabu and his crew, and music/film editing by Dag Force.
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