19 June, Love?

Image by Vina

Had an early breakfast with the whole herd. Salty stuffs.Then we went to pack a little and off to our little tour of the day.

Yay! We're Here!! Mori Art Museum! (Vina)

Mori Art Museum day!

Saw Takashi Murakami's signature flower soft toy at the lobby. It reminded us of our dreadful days doing vectors assignment of his works. Was quite hellish i would say.

Takashi Murakami flower soft toy (Vina)

First, we went to the observatory, it was so high up, and it feels as though we’re playing Sims, everything looks as small. 

Tokyo Tower view from the observatory  [Eugene]

Kang Hoon and the Tokyo view [Vina]

Cute food store we saw up there. [Vina]

Cute, aye? would you eat it if your food looks like this?? [Vina]

                 Then we went to the museum, was amazed by the exhibition they put up. 

The ¥2000 ticket of Love (Vina)

Grand Entrance (Joey)

Works of Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama and lots of others, depicting love. I love the way they don’t depict love, just as love, but it can actually branched out to a lot of other “love”s, such as broken love, family love, lust love, love love and weird love-obsession, hobby and such. As simple as the theme seems, I feel that it takes a lot to bring out the “love” artworks.

I was impressed by the Japanese old paintings of “Genji Monogatari” the famous Japanese novel. The colours they use are so earthly, just like the residence housings in Japan I see while hopping from one place to another.

Yayoi Kusama never fails to capture my emotion as how meticulous and detailed she can be, the forms she placed in that small room, makes it large and grand and many, as though one is overwhelmed or engulfed by those things. 

The carefully arranged and prepared free-form sculptures are placed in a way that every angle one looks, it never gets boring. Adel Abidin’s 52 Guaranteed Affection, brings laughter and looks of satisfaction to the ladies and gentlemen who watched it. I love how the exhibition is planned as from one section to another, different feelings arose with it, I was a little taken aback by Sophie Calle’s way of approaching the theme “love”, the way it woke me from the happy fantasy of the first two sections of the exhibition, it was more like a reality, that there is love, there is separation. Simple yet meaningful letters and pictures of those broken hearted people were so saddening. Sadly, I didn’t have enough time to look through the other two sections but I merely look through them.

Engulfed in Yayoi Kusama

After the museum, Joey, Eugene, Alicia, Jefera, and I got separated with the rest of the group, thinking they went for lunch, we did too. We tried the McDonald’s pork burger that we’ve been eyeing long before we touchdown. The meat was so juicy! a Must try in Japan!

I'm so sorry to my Muslim friends for posting this.

I just love the way the Japanese decorate their spaces. Who can imagine toilets can be this cute?

Next! We head off to meet with the rest of the group. And we got warned by Erica, for going missing T_T””

Anyway, we took the subway to Tokyo Wondersite (Shibuya).

Andddddd Here we are!

There's one ongoing exhibition at that time. "Not something i had in mind for a Wonder-site" as Eugene described. But it was enjoyable, i think? hahaha

At the reception area. Artwork 1

Details of Artwork 1

Guess whoooooooooooooo...........

None other than our lovely Erica! <3 wonderfully caged and lest she comes out to
 wreak havoc upon the minds of the weak. Never lose that youth, people!

Leads to....Artwork 2! secluded at one corner

Then we went on to the 2nd floor where we found..

THIS!  -Artwork 3-

They gave forms for us to sign if we are interested in taking part of their exhibition. Only Sheila and Vina were interested (after a lot of thinking - as it requires a minimum 30 minutes).

The group went on their seperate ways, those who stayed to watch these two species are: Erica, Joey, Vina, Sheila, Eugene, Melissa aaaaaand Chloe!

Sheila in her cage

Sheila happily in her cage.
"p.s. p.s.! look at bottom left! that's what erica do to provoke our feelings as a defenseless caged animal, not to tease us!!"

Poke the angry Ogress, poke sommore.

(images by Sheila)

"It goes from excitement and curiousity to boredom to alertness of the slightest sound and excitement when you see anyone and embarrassed (to other people whom i did not know). pretty much like what a dog would feel." - Vina
(images by Sheila)

View from inside - ("Shows how curious and bored i am,no? haha" -Vina)
(images by Vina)

They were told to stay in there, caged, for 30 minutes (or more..) and write down their feelings. Sheila stayed for around 20 minutes and Vina for around 25 minutes.

We head off to the Shibuya district and the group further divide itself.

From Eugene, Vina and Erica's point of view...here it goes..:

We at Shibuya, yo! yay!
(Photo by Eugene)

Meet the famous Hachiko bronze statue! at the Shibuya station entrance.

Something that captures my eye. beside the metro entrance.

We were on our way to kittyland - a cat cafe! We get so curious why the Japanese modern culture love fan cafes so much. whats worst, they pay so much money just for these "things"(ninja cafe, maid cafe..etc..), Erica said she's been to a cat cafe and kindly bring us there to experience it!

and... after lots of walking, WE FOUND IT!!

The place looks suspicious at first because its so hidden but not really hidden since its in the busy street of Shinjuku. We braved ourselves and went on, trusting Erica who happily brought us. Just look at that worried face. haha :D

Went up the lift and Tadaaaaaaaaa! HERE WE ARE~!

the Kitties!!!
(images by Vina)

 "The cats were super fat, and sleepypigs, and sooooo lordly! I tried to trick this particular beauty into staring at my camera while holding some shredded chicken on my left hand, but... after 3 seconds of not giving it the food, it HMPH me and flee to another person for food!!!!!!!" -Vina

The trick even works on human! and...one stupid cat

busy socializing, deep in thoughts, finding the rightful partner.

the curious lonely people

I had this funny feeling when i was there. as though its okay to be there but not okay either. so many japanese spend HOURS in there just to have the company of the cats, some visits so often that the cats are comfortable with them and thus became their "partner-pet". It's quite freaky yet interesting at the same time. I think it is due to the busy lifestyle in Japan and all the rush hours, people has no place to relax away from their daily stuffs, or just needed that certain affection. Im wondering the Japanese are so rush, yet how come these people can spend the whole day there? heh. Funny. -Vina

We headed for dinner. looking for a yummy store around the area. we went to walk round and round and round under the japan mist and FINALLY, this store that give such warm lights and nice aroma, attracted us. The store wasn't grand, it's just a simple store just like how the dramas often shows. but the food was excruciatingly good and CHEAP!! Its so good it hurts.

We weren't hungry at first but we ate like gluttons the moment the scent penetrates our senses.

Im surprised for one thing, The japanese actually allowed smoking inside the shop!

PROMOTION MEALS! :D CHEAP AND TASTY! A MUST EAT!

That's the end of our day, we took the metro and back to our hotel. Found a shortcut. INTENSE but its a 45 degree Staircase! No day we aren't exercising here.

Lastly, Thank you Erica for kindly showing us around and bringing us to this memorable experience! *kiss kiss*