Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010

Photo by Van Therra (www.vantherra.com)

Sum up Design Festa, in 140 characters or less.
DF is Asia’s, if not the world’s, largest freestyle creative gathering of artists, craftspeople & performers, amateur on through to professional.

Hey, I said 140 characters. Anyway, what’s your background, and how did you get involved with Design Festa?
My wife and I are both Canadian and have been living here for the past five years. Initially, I won tickets to the event, and was totally blown away by its depth and breadth. Soon after, I exhibited my own photography, then volunteered, eventually becoming a part-time staff member in January 2008.

What do artists and performers—foreign or Japanese—stand to gain from taking part?
Design Festa offers not only exposure on a massive scale, but a real chance to feel part of a community. And since the vast majority of the participants are Japanese, foreigners tend to be magnetic, attracting greater attention—especially from Japanese people, who are curious about what else is out there in the world. However, it can be a bit challenging for foreign artists logistically, especially if they are coming from overseas.

There didn’t seem to be many foreign artists at the last Design Festa I went to…
As much as I would love to tell you that there will be more this time around, I can’t. I’m not sure exactly why. I’ve recently learned that while DF is quite well known among the Japanese, not everyone else knows about it. That, and there is the feeling—at least from some artists I’ve spoken with—that there is too much happening at once, which they feel detracts from their own exhibition. It’s a tough call, but I still believe that everyone should participate at least once, if not just for the experience. I had a blast, and still do.

What can exhibitors do to make sure they stand out?
If you’re exhibiting, I think it’s important to engage the passers-by. When I exhibited, my partner challenged people to a game of rock-paper-scissors. It was a great ice breaker, both familiar and fun. This year we’ve tried to have loosely designated areas so people will have an easier time finding things, but “artistic chaos” still reigns at these events.

What’s your favorite spot in Tokyo?
It would have to be Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. It’s got a really chilled vibe, the people are cool and relaxed, there’s always live music being played, local artisans are selling stuff, you can go paddle-boating on the little lake—and it’s quite beautiful, too. Kichijoji itself is a really cool spot to hang out in. I hope to live there one day!

Design Festa Vol.32
International art event featuring live shows, theater performances, a restaurant and bar section and photo galleries. Nov 6-7, 11am-7pm, ¥800 (adv)/¥1,000 (door). Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba. Nearest stn: Kokusai Tenjijo. Tel: 03-5530-1111. www.designfesta.com