A bathhouse starts taking on a new dimension.
Inside of SCAI: Exhibition of 2010 "Synthesis" by Kohei Nawa
Photo by Nobutada OMOTE Courtesy of SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
SCAI THE BATHHOUSE opened as a contemporary art gallery, which makes use of a building of Kashiwa-yu (closed in 1991) in Yanaka 6-chome, Taito City. Although Kashiwa-yu was established in 1787 and had a history of approximately 200 years, the presently-used building was newly built in 1951.
Exterior of SCAI
Photo by Norihiro Ueno Courtesy of SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
Inside of SCAI: Exhibition of 2008.08.29 - 09.27 "Cutting Insights" by Tomoko Shioyasu
cutting insights 2008 h.650 x w.356 cm, paper
Photo by Keizo Kioku Courtesy of SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
The theatrical company "Dainana Byoto" led by Actor Renji Ishibashi performed "Tomb of Music Box" at closed Kashiwa-yu in 1993, and revived it as a theater space. Danyu Matsuda, the 7th generation owner of Kashiwa-yu, saw this performance, and planned to turn Kashiwa-yu into a cultural space that carries on the meaning of bathhouses where communication takes place. Then, he consulted with "Yanaka School," a local group that aims to revitalize the town, and was introduced to Shiraishi Contemporary Art Inc. that just looked for a gallery space. This way, SCAI THE BATHHOUSE opened in 1993. Although nearly 20 years have lapsed since its opening, the gallery still attracts many people who visit Yanaka.
