Studio Adrien Gardère

Taking inspiration from the traditional Japanese koinobori celebration, Reiko Sudo — one of Japan’s preeminent textile designers — and Adrien Gardère created Koinobori Now! a unique installation of almost 320 contemporary koinobori (carp streamers) swimming inside the National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT).

After Koï Current at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. in 2008, and Guimet Museum in Paris in 2014, Koinobori Now! is a new version of the work on an unprecedented scale, making use of nearly all of the 2,000 m² and 8m ceiling height of NACT gallery 2E.

To realize this massive installation, Reiko Sudo and Adrien Gardère joined forces with Seiichi Saito, a noted member of Rhizomatiks, who brought dynamic movement to the installation by making ripple the fabrics hanging from the ceiling. The featured sound created by Softpad completes the installation Koinobori Now!

A dedicated workshop invites visitors to create their own small koinobori and to touch and learn about each and every fabric used in the making of the almost 320 streamers of Koibonori Now!