Nestor SIRÉ

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Nestor SIRÉ

Participating Project	International Creator Residency Program
Activity Based	Havana
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2024.1 - 2024.3

Purpose of the residency

In the last eight years, I have been conducting an ongoing artistic research project called "CubaCreativa," which I have exhibited in different international contexts. This artistic research project focuses on social creativity, heritage, tradition, popular culture, and the culture of survival. Taking the Cuban (Global South) reality as a point of departure, I intend to explore the connecting points of two specific concepts in Japanese culture and history: "珍道具 ~ Chindōgū" and "裏技 ~ Urawaza". To then develop in collaboration with local communities of makers, objects or installations that combine knowledge and creative practices from the two contexts and that contain the results of the research of this project.

Plan during the residency

My activity plan during the residency will be mainly focused on the research of two Japanese concepts related to social creativity and innovation practices to create a multimedia installation using graphic design, videos, and 3D models:

"珍道具 ~ Chindōgū": researching this concept in relation to my PC Gamer project, which documents creative models of computer chassis in the gamer world.

"裏技 ~ Urawaza": explore the concept of "Urawaza" and its historical connections, which I feel are close to the Cuban experience. Although "Urawaza" predates World War II, it was in the postwar period that this form of innovation proved especially useful. All over the country, people were trying to figure out how to do more with less. For its part, Cuban reality has gone through multiple stages of crisis. After the fall of the socialist camp in 1990 and the tightening of the U.S. embargo on Cuba, there was a collapse of the economy, called the "Special Period in Times of Piece", which resulted, as in the Japanese context, in a surge of creative practices that became essential to ensure survival. In that sense I intend to connect many of the "Urawazas" with tips that were shared in Cuba in the 90's through the book “Con Nuestros Propios Esfuerzos”. The final presentation of this collaborative and multimedia project varies in both format and media, from the organization of a workshop, an publication, or an multimedia interactive visual installation.

Activities during the residency

I focused on researching two Japanese concepts related to social creativity and innovation practices: 珍道具 (Chindōgū) and 裏技 (Urawaza). This is how CubaCreativa PC Gamer　came about, created in collaboration with Tokyo Hackerspace. I developed an optimized and modular version of a computer inside a rubber or car wheel, inspired by the Latin American gaming communities. The materials and technologies were acquired from thrift stores in Akihabara and the design solutions were conceived following the open-source philosophy.

Outcome of the residency

Before applying to this program, I knew theoretical references about the Chindōgū and Urawaza concepts. In addition, I had a strong interest in exploring technology second-hand stores and interacting with DIY communities in Japan. This three-month program was ideal for conducting artistic research while providing access to a studio for the creation of works. I especially appreciate the opportunity provided by the residency to present the results in an exhibition format, both the creative process and the finished work. In addition, the TOKAS program offers the necessary time to develop the projects and make a final presentation in the same context where the idea was conceived, which gives a unique touch to this opportunity.
In Tokyo I spent most of my time between Akihabara and Tokyo Hackerspace, spaces linked to maker culture, the DIY movement and connected to the gamer and otaku community. Immersing myself in these environments and interacting with people was a crucial experience for the development of my art project.

Creator Information