Rhizomatiks Architecture provided creative direction for “Live Performance Theatre,” pièce de résistance of the Japanese Pavilion’s exhibition area. The installation ran at Expo Milano 2015 for a full six months between May 1st through October 31st, 2015.

Our work received the Expo’s Gold Medal in the Exhibition Design Category. It was the first Gold Medal awarded to a Japanese Pavilion in its history of participating in International Registered Exhibitions (large-scale exhibitions held every five years).

Seiichi Saito served as creative director, Satoshi Horii served as technical director/programmer, Keitaro Shimizu served as creative producer, Tatsuya Takei served as programmer, Yoh Tanaka served as visual programmer, and Muryo Homma participated as videographer. As a team, Rhizomatiks was tasked with providing creative direction to craft the exhibition’s complete aesthetic world.

To that extent, Rhizomatiks tapped into a deeply experienced pool of artists and creators, with whom we created an entertainment theatre experience that showcased technology as a vehicle to convey the joy of cuisine: Cast costumes were original designs provided by the stylist, Kumiko Iijima. Video direction by Eiji Tanigawa of the interactive production team TOKYO. Art direction/design by Kota Iguchi of CEKAI and Rei Ishii of TYMOTE. Lighting by Takayuki Fujimoto of DumbType. Music by HIFANA.

Live Performance Theatre Concept

The Live Performance Theatre served as the anchor in Scene V, a performative closing act taking center stage in the restaurant section of the Japanese Pavilion. Visitors seated at dining-style tables enjoyed seasonal Japanese imagery projected on screens along with their meal. Each media table featured touch screens controlled with “chopstick” touch pens, encouraging active visitor participation.

In addition to video imagery, visitors were also able to enjoy a musical-esque show incorporating song and dance. Highlighting the Pavilion’s official theme of “Harmonious Diversity,” the musical show articulated an acceptance of diverse cultural influences that coexistence in the Japanese dining milieu, and produced new fusion dishes such as the curry rice and rice burgers available for curious gourmands on the Pavilion’s menu.