First held in 2014, the international Yokohama Paratriennale arts fair is back for its second edition. Tokyo seems to have awakened to the fact that it's not just hosting the Olympics, but the Paralympics as well; the Paratriennale is in a way an offshoot of this recognition, and of a hunger to make the Games great. This year's theme is 'Sense of oneness: a place to blend together', and in full alignment with said statement, the organisers are looking to overcome any borders both visible and invisible, including ones brought about by physical ability, gender, race, age and social standing.
The Zou-no-Hana Terrace will again function as the main stage, while there will be performances and artworks, made by a group of both able-bodied and disabled local residents, exhibited around the city as well. Keisuke Kanai, who was part of the closing ceremony at the Rio Paralympics, is set to participate, as are contemporary performance collective Me and Yui Inoue, known for decorating the Zou-no-Hana's interior with white netting known as 'Whitescaper'. All this artsiness has been divided into three sections, with artworks ('creations') being presented first (until September 3), then presentations and performances (October 7-9) and, finally, exhibitions (currently scheduled from mid-October to late December). And just as in 2014, Kris Yoshie from the Slow Label nonprofit will take charge as creative director.