When Japanese internet media company GREE relocated offices last year, they wanted to do something special; something that would capture the unique creativity and artistic drive behind many of their employees. So the company worked with art agency TokyoDex and the architecural designers at Tokyo Creators’ Project to pull off one of the most ambitious office space transformation projects we’ve ever seen.
Working with 22 individual artists, the highly collaborative effort resulted in a massive 129 pieces of art spread over six floors. Each floor is uniquely curated with its own sub-theme, but is tied together by the governing concept of “Subcultural Retreat with a Kick.”
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3rd Floor
The 3rd floor sub-theme was “Eastwest Warehouse,” a global mash-up that draws inspiration from the colorful markets and neon lights of Kowloon and Taipei, to the back-street graffiti tags of Brooklyn and Berlin. And the artists themselves are an international mix.
Alexandre Osmoze Brakha adds an edgy European vibe while and Erica Ward offers a tormented look into the future | Photo by Tomooki Kengaku courtesy TokyoDex
Japanese artist MAHARO uses his signature imagery and original alphabet to create curious storefront-like signs with a distinct Asian flair | Photo by Tomooki Kengaku courtesy TokyoDex
Titifreak brings his unique São Paulo street style to the floor | Photo by Michael Holmes courtesy TokyoDex
4th Floor
The concept of the 4th floor was “Manga Mutation,” referring to the evolution and elevation of manga into the realm of fine art.
Giant-eyed, colorful characters by artist Yurie Sekiya | photo by J Lieberman courtesy TokyoDex
the volatile forms of painter STONE63 provide an unlikely backdrop for Sekiya’s clean lines and ebullient figures | Photo by Tomooki Kengaku courtesy TokyoDex
5th Floor
The 5th floor takes an abrupt shift towards “Future Chaotic” as elements of hip-hop culture, man-vs.-machine themes, and abstract work mesh together in controlled chaos.
hip-hop and streetwear culture inform the murals of KAREZMAD (Yusuke Moritani) | photo by J Lieberman courtesy TokyoDex
the melancholic cyber-punk musings of artist Tadaomi Shibuya and Dilara Özden | Photo by Tomooki Kengaku courtesy TokyoDex
6th Floor
The theme for the 6th floor was “Backstreets Playground,” referencing the many chaotic yet joyful discoveries one makes exploring the hidden back streets and alleys of Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Yusei Sagawa’s work calls to mind the pipes, gutters and telephone-pole circuitry of a hidden alley | photo by J Lieberman courtesy TokyoDex
In the main office areas, XOLA adds soft lines whimsical animals inspired by the Chōjū–giga (literally “Animal-person Caricatures”), a collection of 12th-to-13th-century Japanese paintings that is credited as the oldest work of manga | photo by J Lieberman courtesy TokyoDex
7th Floor
Blade runner meets the back alleys of Brooklyn in the “Street Cyber Punk” themed 7th floor.
highly detailed murals of robotic animals by street artist Kensuke Takahashi | photo by Tomooki Kengaku courtesy TokyoDex
highly detailed murals of robotic animals by street artist Kensuke Takahashi | photo by J Lieberman courtesy TokyoDex
