Latest news with #Naito
Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Kioi Seido: Tokyo's Enigmatic ‘Building with No Purpose'
Five years ago, the acclaimed architect Hiroshi Naito was met with an unusual request: He was asked to design a five-story structure in the middle of Tokyo with no specific purpose. The RINRI Institute of Ethics, a private social education organization, gave him free reign, proposing that the building's function will be decided according to its design. Thus, Kioi Seido, also known as 'the building with no purpose,' was brought to life. Well, not entirely free reign. According to a statement by Naito that was distributed at the exhibition, 'My client's only order was that I think about the Jomon [period]' — a prehistoric era of Japanese history that stretched from around 13,000 to 400 BCE, known for its mysterious clay figurines, knotted-rope pottery and an aesthetic that feels both ancient and strangely abstract. 'I think what they wanted was something that was not bound by capitalism or current common sense, but something that would stir emotions,' he continues. The resulting structure is understated, yet otherworldly — a synthesis of warm and cool tones, earthy and industrial textures, which combine to create an atmosphere at once familiar and disorienting. Today, Kioi Seido stands by a small intersection in the heart of Chiyoda City. A quietly extraordinary sanctuary, it may escape your notice at first glance. It's not typically open to public viewing, but for a limited time only — until September 30, to be exact — a special exhibition will allow visitors to enter the building for the first time in two years. It's not just a rare chance to see the hypnotic beauty of its interior firsthand; the exhibition also showcases 40 years' worth of diaries and sketches by Naito himself. List of Contents: A Crack in the Extraordinary The Modern Pantheon About Hiroshi Naito More Information Related Posts A Crack in the Extraordinary 'When you find yourself in this mysterious space, with the first floor deeply reminiscent of the ancient Jomon period and the second floor and above extending into the future, you will forget the routine of everyday life and feel a 'crack in the extraordinary,' says Toshiaki Maruyama, Chairman of the RINRI Institute of Ethics. Although it's not immediately obvious from the outside, Kioi Seido's concrete cube form is supported by four polygonal pillars. They cocoon an installation on the ground floor, which features 18,800 glass pieces laid in a ring formation, each representing someone lost or missing in the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. The charcoal-colored tiles that coat the space all vary in sheen and shape, many of them repurposed from tiles originally used in Shimane Prefecture's Kametani kiln. Requiem for the Great East Japan Earthquake From the second floor upward, warm cedar planks, exposed concrete and beams form a four-story atrium, shrouded in light and shadow. Nine craters on the ceiling form sky lights that feel at once futuristic and timeless, each tapering upward in a slight curve. As you climb up each story and walk around, every angle offers a new perspective. The Modern Pantheon Ascending Kioi Seido's staircases is a peaceful, comforting experience, but also strangely hypnotic — it feels as though you're suspended in time and space, divorced from the external world. Naito was drawn to the Pantheon in Rome, the only Roman building to remain practically intact for centuries. He endeavored to create something immortal and innately magnetic. 'Neither the purpose nor the function of [the Pantheon] is well understood,' reads Naito's statement. 'If the question was to be purposeless, I wanted to build a modern Pantheon.' In conceptualizing Kioi Seido, Naito engaged with questions of tradition and modernity posed by architect Seiichi Shirai. In his hugely influential essay 'The Jomon Style' (1956), Shirai uses the raw, unmediated aesthetic sensibility of Jomon period objects as a vehicle to argue that architects must look beyond easily recognizable stylistic elements, and focus on the 'inner potential' — the underlying spirit — of forms. 'I believe [Shirai's inquiry] was an alarm bell to a society that was striving for rapid modernization,' Naito remarks. 'Seventy years have passed since then, and I took the question posed this time as the same one.' Naito is likely referencing what's known as the 'Jomon–Yayoi dichotomy,' a concept that gained traction among Japanese architects in the postwar period. Sparked by a broader national conversation about identity and tradition, the debate centered on whether Japanese architecture should draw inspiration from the raw, expressive forms of the Jomon period or the more refined, orderly aesthetics of the Yayoi era. Using raw concrete, a material used since ancient times, and glass, a highly precise and refined industrial product, Naito symbolically melds the elements of tradition and modernity into a harmonious whole. While the building's complexity and beauty alone is reason enough to visit, the exhibition of Naito's meticulous notes, sketches and diaries offers a fascinating glimpse into his mind. From the second floor up, you can browse 40 years worth of his plans, inspirations and thoughts. On the floor of the atrium is an installation named the 'Mandala of Words,' showcasing fragments from Naito's writings. Mandala of Words About Hiroshi Naito Born in 1950 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hiroshi Naito is one of Japan's most acclaimed and visionary architects. Upon earning a bachelor's and master's degree in architecture from Waseda University, he worked under architect Fernando Higueras in Madrid and under architect Kiyonori Kikutake in Tokyo. Naito established his own firm, Naito Architect & Associates in 1981, and was a professor at the University of Tokyo from 2001 to 2011, when he became professor emeritus. His major architectural works include the Toba Sea-Folk Museum (1992), the Shimane Arts Center (2005) and the Kusunagi Sports Complex Gymnasium (2015). Naito's creations emphasize the harmony between the built environment and its natural surroundings, with a focus on technical durability and sustainability. Often balancing wooden and concrete textures, his gently minimalistic works evoke warmth and humility. More Information Exhibition Title: 'Architect Hiroshi Naito – Anything and Everything: Diaries and Sketches of Thoughts in Kioi Seido' Dates & Hours: July 1 – September 30, 2025 Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays (excluding holidays and closure dates: Aug 12, 14, 16 & Sep 23), from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.) Admission: Free, no reservation required Address: Kioi Seido, Ethics Research Institute 3-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (10 min from JR Yotsuya / 5–6 min from nearby subway stations) Notes: – No parking or luggage storage – No high heels allowed inside – Restrooms located on the first floor – Photography is allowed, without tripods – Please refrain from taking photos of the notebook exhibits, talking loudly, eating or drinking Related Posts The Most Beautiful Libraries in Japan Awaji Island: Where Stunning Nature Meets World-Class Architecture Kenzo Tange: Japan's Most Influential Architect | Spotlight The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nickelodeon, Paramount Animation Smurf Up Annecy Crowds With Packed Slate and Exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants Preview
Annecy crowds were in for a treat as Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, and longtime festival supporter, opened the studios' 2025 showcase with a preview of the upcoming projects. 'PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie,' 'The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2' are all in active development. 'PAW Patrol' is set to hit theaters July 24, 2026, followed by Aang's animated return on Oct. 9. Fans of pizza-loving martial artist turtles will need to wait until Sept. 27, 2027, for the next 'TMNT' bigscreen appearance — or will they? Read on to find out. More from Variety Cartoon Network Studios Icons McCracken, Tartakovsky, Sugar, Quintel, Ward and Muto on The Studio, State of the Industry and What Inspires Them Taicca and Gobelins Paris Announce Partnership at Annecy to 'Nurture Original Stories from Taiwan': 'Dream Bigger and Reach Further' 'Arcane' Producer Fortiche Teaming With ARTE France on Coming-of-Age Mini-Series 'Miss Saturne' Naito, one of the most prominent animation executives in Hollywood today, expressed her excitement about returning to Annecy. She also unveiled new additions to the cast of 'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.' Joining the regular cast and Mark Hamill are Regina Hall ('Scary Movie,' 'Girls Trip'), Sherry Cola ('Nobody Wants This,' 'Shrinking'), Arturo Castro ('Tron: Ares,' 'Matchbox'), George Lopez ('Lopez vs Lopez,' 'The Underdoggs'), and four-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rapper Isis 'Ice Spice' Gaston, who also contributes an original song. Before diving into SpongeBob, Naito turned attention to a tiny mushroom village in a magical forest, home to the most famous blue characters on Earth (apologies to Pandora). Director Chris Miller returned to Annecy to present the first 20 minutes of his upcoming summer tentpole 'Smurfs,' ahead of its July 18, 2025 release. Last year, he showed early footage at MIFA. Now, with the film nearly complete, Miller spoke about the project's unique blend of CG and 2D animation. 'I'm delighted to bring the Smurfs back to the big screen with a project blending CG and 2D animation so closely,' said Miller. 'For me, animation isn't all about pixels and keyframes. It's about moving an audience and infusing every frame with the same heart, color and charm that Peyo put in his original ideas more than 60 years ago.' Production is already underway on Season 4 of the CG-animated TV series. Nele De Wilde, CCO of Peyo Company, noted how closely the studio collaborated with Paramount, eight years after Sony Pictures Animation's 'Smurfs: The Lost Village.' 'Paramount were very respectful of our input,' said De Wilde. 'Friendship, helping each other and respecting nature are timeless values at the core of the Smurfs' identity. Paramount was committed to bringing these ideas to life in a modern, adventure-packed film.' These values also spoke to Rihanna, who voices Smurfette. 'That's gangster,' said her partner A$AP Rocky to Variety earlier this year. The film's musical energy and visually rich medieval-fantasy setting, powered by Cinesite Montreal's animation, promise to get kids 'Smurfin' all day long.' The story centers on a Smurf with no name who seeks to discover his unique identity, aided by Smurfette, Hefty and other classic characters. Gags like 'Quiet,' 'Soundtrack' and 'Shark-Taming Smurf' had the Annecy audience in stitches. A standout moment introduced Razamel, Gargamel's equally inept brother, as a new villain. By the film's end, the Smurfs tumble through a multiverse portal into real-world Paris, to Grouchy's great dismay. The film will premiere in Brussels on June 28, 2025, painting the city blue ahead of its global rollout. Next up, director Derek Drymon shared a behind-the-scenes look at 'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.' A SpongeBob veteran, Drymon returned to the franchise after co-directing 'Hotel Transylvania 4' in 2022. 'We wanted to recapture the spirit of the first season,' said Drymon. 'I'm so thankful to Paramount for backing a creator-led project. What wins the day is being a kid, and that's what we infused in this feature.' Audiences were treated to the first full act, in which SpongeBob finally grows tall enough to ride a rollercoaster but backs out at the last moment, only to be pulled into an even scarier pirate adventure with the Flying Dutchman. He then signs away his fate and plunges into the Underworld. Blending 3D animation with cutting-edge 2D, this visually dynamic installment follows in the stylistic footsteps of 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines' and 'Spider-Verse.' It will hit theaters Dec. 19, 2025. Following a brief Q&A with Miller and Drymon, moderated by Paramount SVP Emily Nordwind, audiences got one last surprise: two never-before-seen shorts. 'Order Up,' a dialogue-free SpongeBob short directed by Sean Charmatz ('Orion and the Dark'), will debut in front of 'Smurfs' in July. The slapstick comedy had been sitting in the Nickelodeon/Paramount vault for nearly a decade. The second short, 'Chrome Alone 2: Lost in New Jersey,' is a 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' tale directed by Kent Seki. With a visual style similar to Jeff Rowe's 'Mutant Mayhem,' this installment takes a comedic look at artificial intelligence and will premiere alongside the new SpongeBob film in December. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI To Depart New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Photo Credit: NJPW's X account Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling. NJPW shared that they couldn't agree on a new contract with Naito. He will still appear at shows until May 4, when the Wrestling Dontaku tour ends in Fukuoka. The company said they had many talks with Naito about his future. In the end, both sides agreed not to renew his deal. Advertisement NJPW shared 'Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In recent weeks, conversations have been ongoing between New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Tetsuya Naito regarding Naito's future wrestling activities. As a result of those conversations, both parties have mutually agreed not to renew Naito's contract with NJPW.' 'Both parties have arrived at this decision after careful consideration and lengthy conversation. Naito's contract ends on the best possible terms with NJPW, which joins fans in wishing Naito's further success in any and all future endeavours.' 'New Japan Pro-Wrestling deeply apologises to NJPW and Naito fans for any concern this announcement may cause. Naito will make all of his scheduled appearances through the Dontaku series concluding May 4 in Fukuoka, and looks forward to your ongoing support.' The company also confirmed that BUSHI is leaving. He will finish his scheduled matches by May 4 as well. NJPW said BUSHI asked to leave, and they agreed after discussing it with him. Advertisement NJPW shared 'Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling. At his own request and after careful consultation, NJPW has come to terms with the departure of BUSHI following currently scheduled appearances ending on May 4 in Fukuoka.' Both Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI have been major star in the company. Naito has wrestled for NJPW since 2006, and BUSHI has been with the company since 2012. It will be interesting to see what's next for both stars will they make their way to AEW or WWE? Only time will tell. The post Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI To Depart New Japan Pro-Wrestling appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI depart NJPW following contract expirations
Two major names in NJPW, Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI, are officially set to leave the promotion, the company has confirmed. In a statement released by New Japan Pro-Wrestling, discussions had been ongoing with Tetsuya Naito regarding his future with the promotion. Both sides ultimately agreed not to renew his contract, which expired on January 31, 2025. Since then, Naito has worked as a freelancer and will continue to make scheduled appearances through the 'Dontaku' series, ending on May 4 in Fukuoka. NJPW thanked Naito for his contributions, wished him well, and apologized to fans for any concern the announcement may cause. In a separate but similarly timed move, BUSHI is also set to leave NJPW following his final scheduled matches. The company stated the decision came at BUSHI's own request after careful consultation. His last appearance is also scheduled for May 4 in Fukuoka. Both wrestlers have been central figures in NJPW, notably as part of the Los Ingobernables de Japón faction. Their exits represent a significant shift within the roster, though NJPW emphasized that both departures were reached amicably and with mutual respect. NJPW expressed gratitude to fans for their continued support and extended best wishes to Naito and BUSHI as they prepare for the next chapter in their professional wrestling careers.
Bloomberg
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
US Is ‘Destroying' World Order, Ukraine Envoy Says
00:00 Maybe this is an attempt to revise the existing world order. Well, obviously, for Ukraine, it is very difficult on its own, albeit with the support of our partners, to fight against the axis of evil. But we have been fighting and as the war in Ukraine, we're acquiring the characteristics of a global IT results could have been predicted and these results are obvious even now. As a result, the United States of America, China, Russia and Europe have proved to be unprepared for such a global war, of such a level of intensity and neutrality for such a protracted war. The human and technological losses. It's obvious that the White House has questioned the unity of the whole Western world, and now Washington is trying to delegate the security issues to Europe without participation of the US. So we can say that in the near future, Naito likewise can stop existing and a number of talks between the US and Russia. Russia be headed by a war criminal. We see that the White House makes steps towards the Kremlin trying to meet them halfway. So the next target to Russia could be Europe. The decision of the Cyber command of the US decided to stop NSA, the operation against Russia and the failure to qualify actions of Russia as an aggression is a huge challenge for the entire world and Europe in particular, because we see that it's not just the axis of evil and Russia trying to revise the world order, but the U.S. is finally destroying this order.
