Bangladesh festival

 

 

Less-well known than its hugely popular Thai, Indian and Jamaican blow-outs, Yoyogi Park hosts a constant stream of national days and themed flea market/ foodcourt/ musical events. Today it was Bangladesh’s turn. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot – is the Bangladeshi influence that strong in Japan? – but apparently, its stronger than I thought because it was a well-organised and well-attended event, with girl drummers performing on a stage under billowing orange curtains, radios blasting, Bengali babes in bright saris and shady-looking dudes promoting halal groceries or Roppongi bhangra nights. Curry sizzled and incense wafted, and ethnic-hippie-chic chicks walked around comparing crocheted shawls at each of the different booths. It also gave me an opportunity to get up close and personal with the underappreciated (by me, until now) murals painted onto the support pillars of the concrete pedestrian bridge. Right in the thick of the flea market part of the event, they provided a great colorful backdrop.

 

 This one was particularly cool – a little freaky even. The picture is of the park, so its almost like you are looking through the concrete to the other side of the wall – and the little figures at the bottom totally throw out your sense of perspective. I was fascinated.

 

 

Meanwhile, next door there was  another new artistic arrival. Chanel’s mobile artpod – a sleek white building designed by Iraqi star architect Zaha Hadid- has been set up in the forecourt of the National Gymnasium, complementing perfectly its swooping roof and unusual curves. Fresh from its home in Hong Kong, the moveable structure will be packed up and shipped to cities around the world for a temporary exhibition of the Chanel company’s contemporary art collection.