There was no one trying more experimental activities than Shuji Terayama (1935-1983) among members of ANARCHY, influential movement in Japan. At teen age, Terayama was already known as genius poet in Aomori, after coming to Tokyo for college, he started writing a radio drama recommended by the poet Shuntarō Tanikawa. And it was led to the musical group, 'Tenjousajiki'.
The title of exhibition 'Knock' is from the street performance during 30 hours in 1975, Asagaya. This performance was like randomly knocking to the doors of residences in Asagaya, so that there were 110 frightened people (Tokyo Times, 20 April, 1975) and the police were dispatched. The exhibition will show real intention of the performance 'Knock' with video and unpublished resources.
Also, the exhibition will focus on quite a number of overseas performance of 'Tenjousajiki' with great attentions.
In 1983, Terayama passed away with the many puzzles left. Why he took to the street as giving up a book? The exhibition will try to see its mystery from a contemporary perspective.

*image (left)
Knock, 1974
Photo: Watanabe Katsumi

Courtesy of Watari-um