statement

Started in 2008 by a group of artists based in Tokorozawa City, Saitama, “hikikomisenplatform” is an independent art project based at the site of a former railcar maintenance factory in front of Tokorozawa Station. Held a total of seven times up until 2019, the 2021 exhibition will be postponed due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19 and the project will be rebuilt from scratch.

In light of the fact that our project planning and management can no longer be carried out as it was in the past due to the unavailability of the venue and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic that has raged across the globe since 2020, we have reconsidered the very foundation of the project amongst our current members and finally decided to start over. We chose the title “hikikomisenplatform” and aim to construct a platform that will serve as the foundation for artistic expression through exhibitions, events, and publications.

COVID-19, which poses a risk to all regardless of sex, race, political affiliation, or religion, has dramatically changed the world as we know it in countless ways. Although the road ahead of us is steep, we look forward to the next chapter of “hikikomisenplatform”, combining the efforts of those who helped build this project before us with something new.

Translated by Takako Teruyama