TREASURE for TREASURE: A Treasure Exchange Project
In 2003 for the annual Asahi Art Festival, six artists were selected to create works from the random private "treasures" of participating members of the public. The treasures were handed over to the artists who interviewed their owners and then were given time to create artworks using the objects before they were exhibited and then exchanged amongst the original owners. The process was both demanding and alarming. Nobody could choose their artist; no artist could choose their objects - it was totally random. What people considered a "treasure" ranged from stuffed toys to pieces of paper, from musical instruments to a pair of skates and even a car. It was a challenge and an interesting test of the artists' creative abilities.
Participating artists were:
Kyoko SAWANOBORI 澤登恭子
K TANISHI タニシ K
Peter BELLARS ピーター・ベラーズ
Yasuko FUJIWARA 藤原靖子
Keiko MIYATA ミヤタケイコ
Akira YAMAGUCHI 山口晃
The show ran from 14th June - 13th July at the Sumida Riverside Gallery.
Similar Treasure for Treasure shows with different participants were held thereafter in Sapporo and Okinawa