What if a town was an open-air museum? That is what FARET Tachikawa is. It is a unique public art project near Tachikawa Station. This area was once a U.S. Air Force base.
FARET Tachikawa came to life in 1994. The name “FARET” blends Italian and Japanese. “Fare” means “to create” in Italian. The “T” stands for Tachikawa.
Imagine 109 artworks scattered across a bustling district. Ninety-two artists from 36 countries contributed. Fram Kitagawa, the art director, envisioned a forest. He placed artworks like spirits living within it.
These pieces aren’t just sculptures. Many have practical uses. Benches, streetlights, and even ventilation ports are works of art. The project reflects three concepts. It is a town reflecting the world. It is a place where function merges with art. It is a town of wonder and discovery.
Keep your eyes peeled as we walk. You might miss some artworks disguised as everyday objects. A vibrant red flowerpot stands outside a department store. It is part of an “open café terrace.” The artist is Jean-Pierre Raynaud. Nearby, a bicycle sits encased in glass. This is Robert Rauschenberg’s “Bicycloid VI.” At night, neon lights illuminate this unique parking sign.
Look for statues of African tribal chiefs. Nigerian artist Sunday Jack Akpan created these. They were inspired by Ibibio funerary traditions. Marina Abramović also has work here. Her “Black Dragon: for family use” features crystal blocks on a wall.
Since 1997, the FARET Club has offered guided tours. They also organize cleaning programs and workshops. FARET Tachikawa is now in art textbooks. Local elementary schools include it in their curriculum. It serves as an “alive” instructional material.
The goal is to blend art into everyday life. You might not realize you are surrounded by art. This is part of the charm of FARET Tachikawa. The lack of captions encourages exploration. Discovering each piece becomes an Easter egg hunt.
FARET Tachikawa is a model for urban development through art. It revitalized Tachikawa City. The project’s success is thanks to the Faret Club. It is also due to the building owners and Tachikawa City. It is a testament to the power of art. It transforms a space into something extraordinary. Take a moment. Appreciate how art can reshape our surroundings. It can make even the most mundane objects beautiful. This is the legacy of FARET Tachikawa.