Over a period of 20 years we have experienced the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake. There are also predictions of a severe earthquake in the Kanto, Tonankai region, and for us who live upon this land, earthquakes and disaster and its threat is something which will never end. It is now 2 years since 3.11. And while continuing in regeneration work, as we face towards this never ending disaster, what is it that we must reassess? What is it that we must question?

After the events of the Great East Japan Earthquake, “WAWA Project” was established, at 3331 Arts Chiyoda, as a program working towards regeneration support. And as of 9th March (Sat) 2013 it will present the “Making as Living - The Exhibition of Great East Japan Earthquake Regeneration Support Action Project”.

Over the year which has passed since the exhibition held at 3331, WAWA project has held the exhibition “Making as Living” at Kamifurumachi Shopping Street, Niigata and the art centre “KIITO” in Kobe. Here we provide an opportunity to consider what has been born from these “disaster areas” what state are they in now and what must we prepare for “that day” in this exhibition in Tokyo.

In this exhibition we introduce the people who continue to focus their efforts upon regeneration, and the ongoing work of artists towards this, not only conveying the “regeneration of now” but also through the illustrations of the disaster of the Meiji-sanriku tsunami, a timeline of events since the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, and many other valuable documents, we attempt to consider what has been put in palace in preparation for earthquakes, what should we be doing, and what kind of disaster prevention should be brought into the community and our everyday lives.

During this exhibition various workshops, talk sessions, food and music events, as well as survival camp and Tohoku support shop will be facilitated, giving people of all ages and from many different regions a chance to gain a new insight into earthquake disaster.

About Exhibition

About WAWA Project

Social Creative Platform for Opportunity: WAWA Project, managed by commandN(*please find further information below), with the cooperation of 3331 Arts Chiyoda, aims to "connect" people in respective areas of Tohoku, who are initiating activities fostering local regeneration with those who wish to support such activities. This project engages closely with activists in affected communities, maintaining a base for their activities, while transmitting information about their endeavors through online and offline publications.

The name of this project came from our commitment to focus on and visualize the individual person who is working in an effort for recovery. By saying WAWA, this translates as "I am" conveying our wish to activate one person at a time. Collectively individuals with much competence become "we," generating greater power to move forward. As the name, Social Creative Platform for Opportunity, states, we want to multiply opportunities that boost the sustainable human energy to rebuild these affected areas.

http://wawa.or.jp/en/