For the fourth session of Vision Formulation 2, we were lucky to have sociologist Hiroshi Kainuma come and present a lecture for us entitled “Fukushima’s Current Condition and Future.” He spoke about the historical background behind the nuclear plant being placed in Fukushima, and the situation its existence created for the area. He also told us how “3.11 did not change Japan, but the accident made us realize an already existing problem.” His lecture conveyed the need to focus on problems which are not clearly visible (restoration of communities and maintenance of physical and mental health), and the necessity for people to identify needs and coordinate efforts. I felt that our CR activities are also aiming in the same direction. (Hashimoto)

For the third session of A Creative Reconstruction: Vision Formulation 2, Prof. Kazuyoshi Watari (associate professor, University of Tsukuba, art and environmental design), presented a lecture entitled “Medium for Resilience from New Orleans: Examples of Cases and Application.” We learned about the importance of illustration in architecture and design, environmental design, and were reminded of illustration’s role as an effective communication method with people of different cultures, industries and fields. The sharing of concepts and structures is also useful in times of emergency. We were also able to see images towards recovery, with the visions for reconstruction and illustrations of restored towns with people’s occupations. The lecture really brought attention to the reconstruction support aimed not only at restoring buildings but at supporting people’s lives. (Hashimoto)

We had the pleasure of welcoming artist Ingo Gunther for the second session of Vision Formulation 2, with a theme of “RE-Nature.” Mr. Gunther is working on a project which aims to return Japanese coastlines which are covered with Tetrapod breakwater barriers back to a more natural appearance. He also continues to explore the relationship with nature. He presented many different possible solutions, saying, “Since I am an artist, I can take this seriously or not so seriously. I just use my imagination and get to work.” He is currently recruiting volunteers to help promote this project. (Hashimoto)

For the first session of A Creative Reconstruction: Vision Formulation 2, we were honored to welcome Ryuta Ushiro and Yasutaka Hayashi from Chim↑Pom. They introduced their previous works and presented a lecture entitled “Art Following the Earthquake.” They said that after the earthquake, a lot of artists were looking for a way to help using art, and felt quite powerless about it. But if we do not express ourselves through art in times like these, this shows that art itself is powerless. This was the sentiment that went into their works after the earthquake. They found that the students’ reactions to the works and the backgrounds behind their creation were very varied, which prompted them to create art works with the earthquake as a theme. (Hashimoto)