That's it folks. This is the last week in Japan. I can't believe how time is flying here.
The morning was kind of quiet. Organizing the last week of meetings on the phone and taking a walk in Shinjuku. On my way to Shinjuku, I noticed this "alien" façade.



Even after one entire month, I still am able to be surprised by this excess of post-modern decor. I like the idea that there is no shame in building these things. And, in a way, it is amazing. The building, the streets become narrative. One can build his or her own little twisted fantasy just walking down the street or entering a building throughout the belly of the beast. Hi, I am Han Solo, and I am going to eat the brain you don't seem to have...Or something like that. Shinjuku is clearly sleazy. You can find there any kind of massage place, American bars, erotic karaoke, sex toy stores (my god these people have more imagination, or needs, than I have ever been able to think about). Of course trying to take photos in these stores was not the best idea of the day. I did not understand what they told me, but it was not, I am pretty sure, about the beauty of the cherry blossom season.
Same thing in the video arcade, although a little less aggressive. They have this strange game which transforms you into a DJ in a club. This country could be a show called Let's Entertain.



It is all about that--with different levels of sophistication, ritual and tradition. They kicked me out. But if you can't play inside, you could do it outside like these lines of teenagers playing free video games in the streets.
Back to serious things. I met with Yoshiko Isshiki at Shinjuku station in order to visit Studio Shokudo. This a collective studio, about ten artists. It is located in the suburbs of Tokyo.
It was okay. It's one of the few artist-run spaces in Tokyo. They have a gallery and organize exhibitions. Dinner with Yoshiko, Mariko who is working with her, Emmanuelle, and Alexandre.
Drinks with Yoshiko, Mariko who is working with her, Emmanuelle, and Alexandre.
Bed without Yoshiko, Mariko who is working with her, Emmanuelle, and Alexandre.