WOW Takes Charge in Planning, Direction, and Production of the Entrance and Theater for the Nikon Museum Reopening

WOW magazine 230 - Oct. 16th, 2024

WOW was in charge of the planning, direction, and production for the entrance and theater of the Nikon Museum, which reopened on October 12, 2024. Since its founding in 1917 (then Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha), Nikon has contributed to the evolution of industry and lifestyles throughout the generations with cutting-edge technologies based on optics and precision. The recently reopened "Nikon Museum" is a facility in which you can experience Nikon's path over the last 100 years, featuring the products and technologies that represent "tradition and innovation," the thoughts that went into them, and various anecdotes.
Entrance Zone
The moment a product is born, the technology that manipulates light is one of the the appealing points of the product. Various moments that shine with Nikon's unique style are projected onto a circular screen with a lens motif. The brilliance of glass and the characteristics of light are expressed in an abstract and whimsical way, while depicting a timeline of Nikon's history and manufacturing process. The experience is designed to heighten anticipation for the exhibit while conveying the future that Nikon envisions.
Theater Zone
A video with the theme "Open Up the Future with the Power of Light" is projected onto the wall of the Theater Zone, located at the far end of the museum. Various scenes captured through Nikon's technology and the many fields it has pioneered. These are illuminated with light as they transcend space and time to explore the past, present, future, Earth, space, micro, and macro. This video production attempts to convey to viewers, without words, the spirit of Nikon as it continues to venture into the unknown, and the company's desire for the "the abundant expansion of society and human potential."
Nikon Museum
Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
Closed: Mondays, Sundays, national holidays, and other days designated by the museum
*Closed on Saturdays that are national holidays.
*The museum may be closed or have modified opening hours due to bad weather or transportation conditions.
Admission fee: Free
Location: 1F Innovation Center, Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters
Address: 1-5-20 Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Nikon Museum Website

BAKERU to be exhibited at the 66th Hokkaido-Tohoku Folk Performing Arts Festival

The Hokkaido-Tohoku Block Folk Performing Arts Festival is held across the seven prefectures of Hokkaido and Tohoku to widely showcase the region's traditional folk performing arts and create records for the participating groups. This year, the festival will be held in Miyagi Prefecture, marking the 10th time since it was last held in 2015. As part of the festival's related projects, WOW's interactive installation "BAKERU" has been selected for exhibition.

"BAKERU" is a work themed around the traditional folk performing arts that have long been passed down in the Tohoku region. By wearing a mask, participants can see their appearance transform on the screen, allowing them to interactively experience the world of performance art and the ancient act of "transforming," which has been part of these traditions for centuries.

66th Hokkaido-Tohoku Block Folk Performing Arts Festival
Date: October 27th (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Tagajo City Civic Hall (within Tagajo City Cultural Center)
Address: 2-27-1 Chuo, Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture
Participation: Free admission, no prior registration required

BAKERU Teaser Movie▶PLAY

WOW magazine