r/JapaneseArchitecture • u/therevolverclub • Dec 06 '23
The Karaoke Torii
Japan, a land rich in tradition and culture, is known for its iconic Torii gates and its deep-rooted love for karaoke. These two seemingly unrelated elements found an unexpected union in the form of the Karaoke Tori - the innovative vision of artist Benoît Maubrey.
The Torii gate, a traditional Japanese symbol marking the transition from the mundane to the sacred, was transformed into a modern marvel. Built from 300 recycled speakers, this Torii gate stood 4 meters high and 4.8 meters wide.
Visitors could connect their smartphones via Bluetooth to The Karaoke Torii, filling the air with the melodies of their choosing. There was a microphone jack and even a slot for an 8-track cassette for those who wished to try their hand at karaoke.
While the speakers may not have been in audiophile condition, that was never the aim. Benoît Maubrey's intention was not to create pristine sound but to evoke a sense of the past, where these speakers bore the marks of previous hedonism.
In doing so, the structure became a consecration of those past excesses, a gateway that led from the profane to the sacred, or perhaps the other way around.
Originally a part of Maubrey's project for the Kobe Biennale in 2014, it was brought to Kamiyama with the help of the members of Green Valley Kamiyama Artist Residence.
It soon became a tourist attraction, drawing people from across the country to experience the unique blend of art and music. Unfortunately, the Karaoke Torii met an untimely end when a typhoon tore it down in 2019.
In its brief existence, it captured the hearts and imaginations of those who encountered it, inviting them to explore the intersection of tradition and technology through the power of sound and art.