A Capsule of One’s Own: Young Kisho’s Urban Future of the Recent Past
The collage envisions an alternate reality where the Nakagin Capsule Tower remains unaltered. At the heart of the artwork stands a refurbished Nakagin capsule, a testament to the enduring legacy of Metabolism. Inside, we find a young visionary architecture student named Kisho, a torchbearer of the Metabolism.
Framed Photo: A snapshot captures the camaraderie of the Metabolist movement which defined 1960s in Japan.
Study Desk Wall: Adorned with posters from pivotal events for the movement, at the top one can see section drawing of Tanaka Beautillion, the precedent of Nakagin Capule Tower.
Floor Scenery: Kenzo Tange's Tokyo Bay project model, which Kurokawa worked on as a member of Tange Lab, CIAM and TEAM X’s covers offer a glimpse into the architectural influences that surround Kurokawa and also young Kisho.
Kisho's T-shirt: "What if utopia does exist?" reflects Kisho's perpetual quest for architectural utopia, a question that propels him forward.
The Bed: An open Archigram book rests on the cluttered bed. The disorder hints at one of the arguments for Nakagin's demolition - the lack of space within capsules. This scene pays tribute to the "Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation Project," where Japanese enthusiasts celebrated the confined but lively capsules through renovation projects.
Looking out of the capsule's circular window, we see Hokusai's iconic "Red Fuji" amid serene clouds. Beyond, capsules float freely in the sky, symbolizing a world where the dreams of Metabolism and Nakagin's preservation have taken flight.
