Koki Tanaka, Provisional Studies: Workshop #4 Possibilities for being together. Their configuration. (Production still) 2015-16

We met Japanese artist Koki Tanaka in 2014, at Frieze New York, when he was introducing art fair goers to the invisible communities of Randall’s Island. Here’s his podcast episode Fresh Talk: Koki Tanaka.

This week, we’re honored to share production stills of his Provisional Studies: Workshop #4 (2015–16), a feature of his first large solo exhibition in Japan. Titled Possibilities for being together. Their praxis., the show will open this month at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito. The new work is based on a six-day retreat Tanaka designed for the small group of people pictured here. Participants, facilitators, and camera crews stayed together under one roof. He joined in their activities of reading, cooking, making pottery, a workshop related to social movement, discussions, interviews, and conversations. In his search to understand the essence of trust and collaboration, Tanaka created the opportunity for strangers to forge a community.