Startbahn Opens SRR Project Space On the New “Shimokita Line Road” To Support Inclusive Urban Development and Globalization of Tokyo’s Art Scene, In Collaboration with Odakyu Electric Railway

Startbahn Inc., Japan’s leading NFT issuance company, with partners ranging from art collective ChimPom from Smappa Group!, to fashion degner TOMO KOIZUMI, to manga publisher Shueisha, opens SRR Project Space, an exhibition space to showcase the latest trends in global contemporary art. In collaboration with Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd., SRR Project Space is located in the final development area "NANSEI PLUS" of the "Shimokita Line Road Street", in the prime location of Tokyo’s youth hub of Shimo-Kitazawa, a short train ride away from the world-famous Shibuya crossing. In line with Shimokita Line Road Street’s inclusive urban development, SRR Project Space (previously known as SRR Projects) will open on Saturday, May 28, 2022 and is set to boost the local creative economy of Shimo-Kitazawa. As a bridge between Shimo-Kitazawa’s thriving art and fashion scene and global trends in contemporary art and design, as well as digital IP content holders, the space will support progressive artists, institutions, and partners in the cultural sector from Japan and beyond.



■ Background of the Opening

Startbahn is a leading Japanese art tech company aiming to enrich society by providing the technology needed by artists and all those involved in the art around the world. Startbahn operates Startrail, a sustainable and scalable blockchain infrastructure that assures the reliability, authenticity, and traceability of works.

On Saturday, May 28, 2022, Startbahn will open the art space "SRR Project Space" at NANSEI PLUS, the final development area in front of the Southwest exit of Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line, one of Tokyo’s main train lines. Located on the "Shimokitazawa Line Road Street", the new urban development is promoted by Odakyu Electric Railway, one of Japan’s largest railway companies. “SRR" is an abbreviation of Startbahn’s NFT "Startrail Registry Record" and "Shimokitazawa Rail Road".

As an exhibition space, SRR Project Space will provide opportunities for artists, curators, and other emerging creators to exhibit their latest works, as well as promote community connections and vitality in line with the supportive development promoted by Odakyu Electric Railway. It will be developed as a place of exploration, learning, and development that further promotes the role of art, creativity, and technology in sustainable urban development. It will also act as a bridge between Shimo-Kitazawa thriving culture and the international art scene, connecting society with new trends such as the NFT and involving artists from outside Japan.

The first project is a two-part solo exhibition by Japanese contemporary artist Yuichiro Tamura entitled "Animal Spirits" and "Rebirth of the Qool," with new installations reflecting on Shimo-Kitazawa area.

■ Comment from Taihei Shii, Startbahn CEO

Startbahn was originally an art project that I created in 2006 to "build an infrastructure for art in the Internet age." From then on, it is my mission as an artist, to support the ecosystem by providing the necessary technology for all kinds of art and creativity is behind this project. We have worked on blockchain/NFT technology such as Startrail, as well as the environment and means to create a physical space for art activities. At the newly opened SRR Project Space, we hope to support the activities of art players who aspire to work in new fields, while connecting Japan and overseas, as well as art and technology.

■ Solo Exhibitions by Yuichiro Tamura

Animal Spirits @ mini gallery

Starting from a coffee shop that once existed in Shimo-Kitazawa, the project will incorporate elements reminiscent of the Odakyu Line that once ran above ground, passing through people, technology, and civilization. Following “Jo-ha-kyū (序破急),” the compositional form of traditional Japanese performing arts, the exhibition will progress in three phases, one month at a time.

First stage: "序 - Jo" May 28 (Sat) - June 26 (Sun)
The second stage: "破 - Ha" June 30 (Thu) - July 31 (Mon)
Third stage "Q" August 4 (Thu) - August 28 (Sun)

Rebirth of the Qool @ window gallery

Shimokita is starting to look cool — social media platforms have boosted this cool image. People are walking around with iced lattes in their hands, and the global warming caused by CO2 is of no concern. Despite their cool attire, the temperature is soaring. We need the real cool in Shimokita. Here, we revitalize cool.

【 Dates 】May 28, 2022 (Sat) - August 28 (Sun)
【 Opening Hours 】Thursday - Saturday 13:00 - 19:00 / Sunday 13:00 - 18:00
【 Closed 】Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
【 Venue 】SRR Project Space (2-22-2-1 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan)
【 Organizer 】Startbahn, Inc.

■ SRR Project Space Overview

【 Address 】 2-22-2-1 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031
【 Opening Hours 】 Thu - Sat 13:00 - 19:00 / Sun 13:00 - 18:00
【 Closed 】 Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
【 Organizer 】Startbahn, Inc.
【 Inquiries 】contact@startbahn.jp

■ About Yuichiro Tamura

Born 1977 in Toyama. Lives and works in Kyoto. Holds BFA from Department of Photography, College of Art, Nihon University, and Ph.D. from Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts. Tamura’s work unfolds from existing images and objects and reflects an interdisciplinary approach to various media including photography, video, installation, performance and theater. He creates multilayered narratives, containing a mixture of fact and fiction, based on a wide range of sources from indigenous historical themes to well-known popular subjects. His recent works and exhibitions have included: theater work Tasteless (Kyoto Art Theater, 2021), solo shows Milky Mountain (Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Zealand, 2019) and Hell Scream (Kyoto City University of Arts Art Gallery @KCUA, Kyoto, 2018), and the group shows Double Vison (Tai Kwun, Hong Kong, 2022), Voiceover (Shiga Museum of Art, 2021), Readings From Below (Times Art Center Berlin, 2020), Image Narratives: Literature in Japanese Contemporary Art (The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2019), Roppongi Crossing 2019: Connexions (Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2019), Nissan Art Award 2017 (BankART Studio NYK, Yokohama, 2017), 2 or 3 Tigers (Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, 2017), BODY/PLAY/POLITICS (Yokohama Museum of Art, 2016), and international exhibitions Aichi Triennale 2022, Yokohama Triennale 2020, 2019 Asian Art Biennial (Taiwan), Busan Biennale ( Korea, 2018), and SeMA Biennale Media City Seoul 2014 (Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, 2014).

■ About Startbahn, Inc.

Startbahn is a leading Japanese art tech company aiming to enrich the society by providing the technology needed by artists and all those involved in the art around the world. Startbahn operates Startrail, a sustainable and scalable blockchain infrastructure that assures the reliability, authenticity, and traceability of works.

For more information, visit:
https://startbahn.io/


■ About Startrail

It is a sustainable and scalable blockchain infrastructure that assures the reliability, authenticity, and traceability of works and supports the long-term inheritance of their value.

For more information, visit:
https://startrail.io/