One of Japan’s most joyous musical groups is that of Perfume, and this new Disco-Graphy exhibition at Tokyo Node does its best to commemorate their work.
Formed back in 1999, Perfume is now celebrating its 25th anniversary as a band. Comprised of Kashiyuka, A-chan and Nocchi, the trio have had a long and successful history together making music. It’s also fair to say that I am a big fan of their work.
Songs like Flash and Chocolate Disco are sort of quintessentially Perfume songs in my mind. Fun, with an intricate melody and clever use of technological backing. They’ve carved out a unique niche in the Japanese music scene and one which has garnered a solid international reach.
So it’s only fitting that the group gets its own exhibition and one that leans into the technological backend of how their music works.
This is not to say that their music is overly reliant of technology. Instead, it’s more about how they use technology to compliment what they do. Which brings me onto the venue for the event, that of Tokyo Node.
Specifically, the new volumetric video studio that allows for real time tracking and positioning, which this new Disco-Graphy exhibition utilises, at least in part.
One of the main areas of the exhibition uses this volumetric video studio and has you pick up little trackers, which then show your position in real-time relative to a projected display on the wall (shown below).
If you’ve seen any of Perfume’s concerts, with a few available on Amazon Prime, you can see how this technology has been used by the group in the past.
The exhibition also has a breakdown of the group’s history, as well as pyramid of various shoes they’ve worn, among many other things.
In short, it’s a fun event and one that definitely does justice to Perfume’s brand of techno pop music.
Disco-Graphy is running until October 14 at Tokyo Node at Toranomon Hills. Tickets are priced at 2,800 yen (or around $19) and can be purchased here.
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