New Art Learning Space "tra-bon" Launched
Gas As Interface Co., Ltd. and art collective "tra-" have collaborated to launch "tra-bon," a new art learning space, starting operations in May 2026. It will offer learning programs and membership academies for educational institutions and corporations, creating participatory art experiences.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 09:31
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Gas As Interface Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 1-15-15 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Shinjiro Nishino) has collaborated with the art collective "tra-" (led by Hiroko Kikuchi) to launch a new art learning space, the "tra-bon" project, which will begin operations as a business in May 2026. This project will provide services such as learning programs and membership academies for educational institutions and corporations.
"tra-bon" is a platform for small art-related endeavors.
■ About GASBON METABOLISM and tra-
Gas As Interface has been operating the art complex "GASBON METABOLISM" in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, since 2022. To date, it has provided participatory art experiences that go beyond mere appreciation to 30,000 visitors.
GASBON METABOLISM Exterior, GASBON METABOLISM Exhibition View
tra- is an activity group centered around artist Hiroko Kikuchi, who has over 20 years of experience in project design through art and culture and a global network. In recent years, tra- has conducted the "Youth Consultation Room" at Yurakucho Art Urbanism YAU and provided workshops for leadership departments of listed companies.
Youth training workshop scene, Youth Consultation Room YAU OPEN STUDIO ’25 record photo, Photo by GC magazine
The two parties, who met at GASBON METABOLISM, have newly launched "tra-bon."
◾️ tra-bon Past Achievements
tra-bon has developed programs centered on "instructional art," where participants engage in expression by following the artist's "instructions." It exhibited at the joint art exhibition "NEW PLATFORM -Alternative ASIA-" (Yokohama City) and the art fair "EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025," introducing its programs while inviting visitors to participate. The tra-bon booths at both events were very well received, with over 300 visitors, from adults to children, experiencing the artworks and deepening their understanding of tra-bon's activities.
These artworks are available through the learning program service.
For inquiries regarding corporate programs or introductions, please feel free to contact us at:
Email: staff＠gasbook.net
September 2025 [NEW PLATFORM –Alternative ASIA–]
At "NEW PLATFORM –Alternative ASIA–," a gathering of alternative spaces active in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Japan, we presented "The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE" as a visitor-participatory installation.
"The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE"
"MISSING PIECE" Exhibition View, Photography by Ujin Matsuo
This work creates an installation-type experience that encourages interaction starting from "missing pieces" by having participants write their own or society's "MISSING PIECE" on balloons and release them, filling the space with balloons. During the exhibition, diverse participants, including businesspeople, troubled students, and families, wrote their thoughts on balloons, generating many dialogues.
"MISSING PIECE" Exhibition View, Wide range of ages from adults to children participated
Participant's Voice
"I felt the artist's human love in the lively space where multiple generations gathered. People unconsciously think of their missing or lacking parts as something to hide or be ashamed of. It's不思議 how adding an element of play makes them express themselves so honestly. The exhibition created by the participants' hands exuded a unique 'lovableness,' as if asking, 'Isn't the missing part precisely what makes it charming?'"
— Yumi Yoshioka (Representative of Tokyo Garage, Adolescent/Family Psychological Counselor)
November 2025 [EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025]
At the art fair "EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025" held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, three instructional art pieces were presented: "The Work of Wanted People / WANTED PIECE," "The Work of Unwanted Things / PREWANTED PIECE," and "The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE."
EASTEAST_2025 TOKYO Exhibition View, Photography by GCmagazine, Courtesy of EASTEAST_
"tra-bon" is a platform for small art-related endeavors.
■ About GASBON METABOLISM and tra-
Gas As Interface has been operating the art complex "GASBON METABOLISM" in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, since 2022. To date, it has provided participatory art experiences that go beyond mere appreciation to 30,000 visitors.
GASBON METABOLISM Exterior, GASBON METABOLISM Exhibition View
tra- is an activity group centered around artist Hiroko Kikuchi, who has over 20 years of experience in project design through art and culture and a global network. In recent years, tra- has conducted the "Youth Consultation Room" at Yurakucho Art Urbanism YAU and provided workshops for leadership departments of listed companies.
Youth training workshop scene, Youth Consultation Room YAU OPEN STUDIO ’25 record photo, Photo by GC magazine
The two parties, who met at GASBON METABOLISM, have newly launched "tra-bon."
◾️ tra-bon Past Achievements
tra-bon has developed programs centered on "instructional art," where participants engage in expression by following the artist's "instructions." It exhibited at the joint art exhibition "NEW PLATFORM -Alternative ASIA-" (Yokohama City) and the art fair "EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025," introducing its programs while inviting visitors to participate. The tra-bon booths at both events were very well received, with over 300 visitors, from adults to children, experiencing the artworks and deepening their understanding of tra-bon's activities.
These artworks are available through the learning program service.
For inquiries regarding corporate programs or introductions, please feel free to contact us at:
Email: staff＠gasbook.net
September 2025 [NEW PLATFORM –Alternative ASIA–]
At "NEW PLATFORM –Alternative ASIA–," a gathering of alternative spaces active in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Japan, we presented "The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE" as a visitor-participatory installation.
"The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE"
"MISSING PIECE" Exhibition View, Photography by Ujin Matsuo
This work creates an installation-type experience that encourages interaction starting from "missing pieces" by having participants write their own or society's "MISSING PIECE" on balloons and release them, filling the space with balloons. During the exhibition, diverse participants, including businesspeople, troubled students, and families, wrote their thoughts on balloons, generating many dialogues.
"MISSING PIECE" Exhibition View, Wide range of ages from adults to children participated
Participant's Voice
"I felt the artist's human love in the lively space where multiple generations gathered. People unconsciously think of their missing or lacking parts as something to hide or be ashamed of. It's不思議 how adding an element of play makes them express themselves so honestly. The exhibition created by the participants' hands exuded a unique 'lovableness,' as if asking, 'Isn't the missing part precisely what makes it charming?'"
— Yumi Yoshioka (Representative of Tokyo Garage, Adolescent/Family Psychological Counselor)
November 2025 [EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025]
At the art fair "EASTEAST_TOKYO 2025" held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo, three instructional art pieces were presented: "The Work of Wanted People / WANTED PIECE," "The Work of Unwanted Things / PREWANTED PIECE," and "The Work of Missing Pieces / MISSING PIECE."
EASTEAST_2025 TOKYO Exhibition View, Photography by GCmagazine, Courtesy of EASTEAST_