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Experience a "Merging World" at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills

On February 9th, 2024, the world-famous "MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab Borderless" moved from Tokyo's Odaiba to Azabudai Hills. The revamped teamLab Borderless now features more than 70 works, including the world premiere of the new work "Bubble Universe." With the relocation, approximately 560 Epson projectors and about 540 high-performance Epson PCs have been installed to further evolve the borderless art experience. The museum has been updated to enhance immersion and encourage wandering, exploration and discovery. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this newly enhanced teamLab Borderless first hand!

Immersed in Seamless Art That Constantly Transforms

teamLab Borderless was created by the art collective teamLab in collaboration with Mori Building, and opened in Odaiba in June 2018 as "the museum without maps." In just one year, it attracted around 2.3 million visitors from over 160 countries and regions. Now it has moved to the Azabudai Hills and adopted a new theme: "an entire city as a museum." Conveniently located at Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Line, it is also easily accessible. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased in advance from the official website.
teamLab Borderless is located at Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B B1, where the first artwork, "People Don't See the World as through a Camera," greets visitors at the entrance. When viewed through a lens at a certain point, text appears that is not visible to the naked eye, expressing the difference between the world we see through a lens and the world we see through our eyes.

teamLab: "People Don't See the World as through a Camera" (C) teamLab

As the name "Borderless" suggests, the artworks in the museum have no boundaries and are constantly transforming as they interact with each other. This seamless, continuous world of artworks is what defines teamLab Borderless.

teamLab: "Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together – A Whole Year per Hour" (C) teamLab

In the vast space featuring "A Rock where People Gather," waterfalls interact with other artworks to create various unique expressions. The movement of the water is simulated, with the flow changing according to the visitor's position and movements. Return to the same room after just a few minutes and you'll find a completely different artwork dominating the space. This movement and constant transformation of the artworks is one of the main attractions of teamLab Borderless.

teamLab: "Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather" (C) teamLab

The "Infinite Crystal World" makes you feel as if you are bathing in countless grains of light, expressing an infinite expanse.

teamLab: "Infinite Crystal World" (C) teamLab

The concept of teamLab Borderless is "wander, explore, discover." Comfortable shoes such as sneakers are recommended for walking around the museum. In addition, as some of the artworks have mirrored floors, wearing pants or leggings with skirts is recommended.

Dive into a Bright and Colorful Aquarium Surrounded by Enigmatic Spheres

One of teamLab's latest artworks, which had its world premiere here, is "Bubble Universe: Physical Light, Bubbles of Light, Wobbling Light, and Environmental Light - One Stroke," an interactive piece on the theme of "cognitive existence", which creates a unique space where different light phenomena created by spheres intermingle.

teamLab: "Bubble Universe: Physical Light, Bubbles of Light, Wobbling Light, and Environmental Light - One Stroke" (C) teamLab

In "Peace can be Realized Even without Order: Dissolving Light," there is a sense of you yourself becoming part of the art as you dive through steam screens projecting light art. The photo below captures the moment of merging between "Peace can be Realized Even without Order: Dissolving Light" and "Dissolving Flames." Spending time in a room allows you to enjoy the transformation of the artwork, so taking time with your favorite pieces can lead to new discoveries.

teamLab: "Peace can be Realized Even without Order: Dissolving Light" (C) teamLab

"Walk, Walk, Walk," with its caricature-like animals and people, never stands still, but reacts when touched by visitors, sometimes even changing direction.

teamLab: "Walk, Walk, Walk" (C) teamLab

"Black Waves: Frozen Transparency" also transcend boundaries, interacting with other works in a continuous manner.

teamLab: "Black Waves: Frozen Transparency" (C) teamLab

One of the highlights of teamLab Borderless is the "Sketch Ocean," which feels similar to an aquarium. You can draw fish freely on paper, and then watch as your fish start swimming on a giant screen right in front of you. You can even touch the swimming fish, and sometimes, schools of tuna drawn at other Sketch Oceans in Beijing, Singapore or other teamLab museums might come to visit and join the fun.

teamLab: "Sketch Ocean" (C) teamLab

A tea house, "EN TEA HOUSE," offers original vegan gelato and tea within the museum. Vending machines and free water dispensers are also available in the rest area to ensure visitors stay hydrated, especially during the summer.

Get Your Own Original Goods

Outside teamLab Borderless, there is a "Sketch Factory" located at the Station Square in Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A B1F, where, for a fee, you can turn your "Sketch Ocean" drawings into original items such as tin badges, towels, T-shirts, and tote bags. Create your very own unique items!

The "Sketch Factory" also sells eco-bags made from reused rice bags, laptop cases, teamLab logo stickers, and badges, perfect as souvenirs.

The improved artworks of teamLab Borderless are all so captivating that you can't help but be drawn in. There are also several other artworks that decorate the rooms that are not shown here. With no set route and free photography allowed, visitors can explore and capture their experience on smartphones, chasing their favorite art for a truly enjoyable experience. Why not immerse yourself in this enchanting world and fully experience the "borderless" art.
MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: Epson teamLab Borderless

Location: Garden Plaza B B1, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Exhibition Period: Permanent
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Last admission is one hour before closing)
Closed: July 2nd (Tues), July 16th (Tues), August 20th (Tues)
*Dates may change, please check the official website.
Ticket Prices: Adults (18 and older) from ¥3,800

For more details, please visit the official website:
https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/tokyo/

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