Steffen Kloster POULSEN

Residency Program

Research Residency Program

update: 2023.1.12

Steffen Kloster POULSEN

Participating ProgramResearch Residency Program
Activity BasedAarhus (Denmark)
CityTokyo
Period2023.1 - 2023.3
Purpose of the residency

I am joining the TOKAS residency to develop and finish a project I began in 2018 about the Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. I will photograph, sound record, and scan the station area and seek out knowledgeable people on the subject. I plan to do some historic and cultural research about the station and how it has developed since its opening in 1885. Additionally, I will trace the station's current and historical physical scope by walking and drawing maps, inspired by the Street Observation Society of the 1980s.

Plan during the residency
  • Document Shinjuku Station and surroundings through photographs, sound, etc.
  • Interview people (architects, researchers, artists, etc.)
  • Visit local libraries, museums, etc.
  • Walk the streets and tunnels of Shinjuku
  • Draw maps
Activities during the residency

At TOKAS I set out to finish a photography project I began in 2018 about Shinjuku train station. During the residency I photographed the entrances of the station during several nights of night time sessions when the station is closed. In order to get a deeper understanding of the development of the Shinjuku area, I undertook historical research at the archives of three Tokyo institutions: National Diet Library, National Archive of Modern Architecture and Shinjuku Historical Museum. I looked at old maps, architectural blueprints, and microfilmed magazines and talked to archivists and researchers who contextualized the information I gathered. I also got a lot of input from visitors who approached me at the Open Studio, where I had printed 157 pictures of entrances as well as a map of the Shinjuku Station surrounding area.

View of the west plaza of the Shinjuku Station

Map and exit research -Walking the streets of Shinjuku and looking for maps of the station area.

Mylord Thomasson -First encounter of the Pure Staircase in Shinjuku Station during the residency.

Outcome of the residency

After the TOKAS residency the project is ready to be sent around to galleries in Denmark and Japan. I have been approached by an art exhibition on public transportation in Copenhagen, who would like to show it. I also have plans of turning the project into a photobook at some point in the future. The most impressive episode was the curious questions and interest visitors showed the project at the Open Studio. I was taken aback by the warm reception.

Mapping -Drawing maps

Creator Information

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