Kengo Kito's art installation using 2,500 Hula-Hoops is seen at the Shiroiya Hotel in the city of Maebashi on Nov. 19, 2021. (Katsuhiko Masuda)

       MAEBASHI -- An illuminated art installation using 2,500 Hula-Hoops in seven colors has been unveiled in a hotel passageway in this east Japan city's Honmachi district.

       The display by contemporary artist Kengo Kito and dubbed "Shiroiya x Kengo Kito" is an explosion of wild loops and squiggles in a passageway of the Shiroiya Hotel in the Gunma prefectural capital. Kito attended the lighting ceremony on Nov. 19, and commented, "I created gradation by using slightly different materials for the upper and lower parts, giving the work a feeling of depth. Though there were some worrying factors such as how it would look during the day, because it's primarily meant for nighttime, I was able to resolve them."

       The work was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign launched by Shiroiya Hotel in hopes of creating art that would draw locals with a shared desire to revitalize Maebashi's downtown. The campaign collected some 8 million yen (about $70,000) from 127 people, far exceeding the target of 5 million yen (approx. $44,000). With the extra funds, the Shiroiya decided to add a Christmas tree -- also designed by Kito -- on the hotel's Babakawa-dori street side.

       Both works will be lit up between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. until Dec. 26. The hotel passage, which connects Babakawa-dori street and National Route 50, is accessible anytime. The Hula-Hoop installation can be enjoyed during daytime as well. For more information, contact Shiroiya Hotel by phone at 027-231-4618 (in Japanese).

       (Japanese original by Katsuhiko Masuda)

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