In light of the changes caused by COVID-19, this year, Miraikan is proposing new ways to enjoy the museum that makes use of its large, open exhibition spaces. The first project, " A Garden of Inspiration", is a spatial installation based on the theme of walking. "Walk in the Forest" surrounds visitors with lush greenery, allowing them to refresh their minds and souls as they deeply breathe in the calm. "Words for Inspiration" lets visitors encounter inspirational messages from scientists. At "Dance on the Water", guests can play with their own reflection in the water. "Encounter with Music" has visitors listen to performances by AI and by humans, providing them with a shared experience through music. We invite you to meander freely through these four zones, enjoying the opportunity to find new inspiration as you walk.
COVID-19 imposes continual stress due to the sheer volume of information being produced, and the restrictions on movement, and communicating face-to-face. We hope this unique space will help visitors regain peace of mind and allow them to contemplate the future.
Outline
This unusual experience is based around the theme of “encountering inspiration through walking.” We are now facing an unprecedented crisis. We are at the mercy of information, and we are so busy thinking about tomorrow that it is difficult to imagine the distant future. The Garden of Inspiration provides visitors with clues to manage this situation.
The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, said, "Walking is man's best medicine." Many scientists have been inspired by simply taking a walk, leading them to create new innovations. Resting your mind, organizing your thoughts, and coming across chance encounters -- a sequence of events that could become the catalyst for inspiration. We hope your experiences and chance encounters in this space will lead to new inspiration that will change the future.
Zone Introductions
Walk in the Forest
Take a deep breath and refresh your mind
This zone allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature on a grand scale, providing perspective on just how small humans are in the world. Guests are invited to take slow, deep breaths, hearing the trees rustle and the birds chirping. By closing their eyes and forgetting the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they can create space in their minds and souls.
Words for Inspiration
Take a seat next to the words of scientists
This zone features a large number of benches where visitors encounter various inspirational quotes from scientists such as Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. Guests are invited to choose their favorite quotes, sit down, and contemplate.
Dance on the Water
What do you look like in a water reflection?
What do you see? This zone shows an overhead view of guests, with a slight time delay built-in. Visitors can move their bodies to play with their past selves, which are reflected in the water. What do you feel when you see yourself in this unusual way?
Encounter with Music
Listen to pieces performed by AI and humans
Light shines on a mysterious piano at the back of the garden. Yamaha Corporation's "Dear Glenn" project lets visitors listen to historical pianists, as recreated by A.I.. They can also try playing the piano by themselves, or with someone else. Magical Piano provides a space of resonance through music, where guests can enjoy chance encounters with sounds.
Performance by AI ‒ Dear Glenn / Yamaha Corporation: 45 minutes every hour (Approximately 8 minutes)
Piano Performance by visitors: Every hour at 55 minutes to 30 minutes (last time-slot at 15:55-16:30)
Note: The piano is open to visitors who wish to play some music, but:
・ Please use hand sanitizer before touching the piano.
・ Please d o not touch o ther areas e xcept for the piano keys.
・ Please keep social distance while you wait in the line
Dear Glenn / Yamaha Corporation
The late, legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould (1932-1982) is known for his devotion to electronic media recording and his focus on the new relationship between player and audience. This project proposed a new form of musical expression in which the modern technology of AI (artificial intelligence) and human beings stimulate each other and co-create. The performance system consists of a piano with an automatic performance function and an AI (software) that instantly generates Gould-like performance data and tells the piano what to play. In addition to Bach's famous Goldberg Variations, which are synonymous with Gould, unperformed pieces will also be played.
Overview
- Title
- A Garden for Inspiration
- Period
- Saturday, August 8 - Sunday, August 30, 2020
- Opening hours
- 10:00-17:00 *Last entry 30 minutes before closing
- Venue
- Special Exhibition Zone 1F, Miraikan *Admission may be limited during crowded times.
- Admission fee
- Entrance fee to Miraikan *Admission is by reservation only
- Organizer
- Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
- Cooperation
- Yamaha Corporation
- Contact
-
Miraikan
TEL: 03-3570-9151