Koki Tanaka's Impossible Project Explores Boundaries of Imagination and Collective Action

Initiated in 2008, Koki Tanaka's Impossible Project devises instructions that push the boundaries of imagination beyond both physical and political constraints. Highlighted in ArtReview Asia, this initiative draws from Tanaka's personal experiences and societal insights, turning random ideas into easily understandable abstract phrases. Some of these instructions resonate with social movements, such as wearing black in support of Taiwan's Sunflower Movement, while others, like expressing love for a betrayed friend, are more intimate. Tanaka has actively tested these instructions, acknowledging their practical difficulties, and envisions the project as a collaborative endeavor. His earlier work, A Piano Played by Five Pianists at Once (2012), showcases the importance of participant involvement. As an 'ignorant instructor,' Tanaka is reimagining the dynamics between audience and facilitator. He was involved in the Journal at ICA, London, from 25 June to 7 September 2014.