Yoichi Ochiai Announces the Next Chapter of Expo Pavilion 'null²'! Expanding to Two Locations: A Permanent Theater in Yokohama and GREEN×EXPO 2027
Media artist Yoichi Ochiai has announced new projects evolving from the Expo pavilion 'null²'. A permanent theater, 'null²ⁿ', will open in Yokohama in 2026, followed by a new piece, 'null⁴', at GREEN×EXPO 2027.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 16:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 19:45 (315h 45m after Collected)
On April 7, media artist Yoichi Ochiai (Representative Director, General Incorporated Association 'Digitized Nature') announced two new projects born from the signature pavilion 'null²' of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. As the first phase, a permanent theater 'null²ⁿ' (Null-Null Nexus) will open inside the Yokohama Minatomirai Landmark Tower in 2026, and as the second phase, a new work 'null⁴' (Tetra-Null) will be unveiled at the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (GREEN×EXPO 2027) in March 2027.
## What is null²?
'null²' is a signature pavilion produced by Yoichi Ochiai at the Osaka-Kansai Expo (April 13 - October 13, 2025). Based on the concept of fusing Buddhist philosophy's 'emptiness' with computer science's 'null', it was constructed as an experiential installation combining special mirror films, LEDs, and robotics. It embodied the worldview of 'Digital Nature' where the digital and physical melt through mirror surfaces, attracting a total of approximately 600,000 visitors during the Expo.
It won 1st place in Casa BRUTUS 'BEST Pavilion for Architecture & Design', the 2026 Minna no Kenchiku Grand Prize, and a Silver Award at the JCD/DSA Japan Space Design Awards. The post-closure crowdfunding campaign 'Moving null²' surpassed 100 million yen in 23 hours, ultimately collecting 281,507,500 yen from 15,821 supporters.
## Phase 1: Scheduled to Open in 2026
**null²ⁿ (Null-Null Nexus) — Yokohama Minatomirai Permanent Theater**
'null²ⁿ' is an installation artwork and permanent immersive theater that expands and inherits the internal experience of 'null²'. As Yoichi Ochiai's signature work, it is reconstructed by adding new zones with the theater elements of the Osaka-Kansai Expo at its core. As the name 'ⁿ (Nexus)' suggests, it functions as a permanent hub that creates further connections between 'null²' and people, with plans for regular events and community formation.
Furthermore, through integration with the 'Mirrored Body®' app, a 'Digital Nature Experience Ecosystem' crossing the city and nature, the physical body and the digital, will be deployed in Yokohama. Visitors who acquired a digital avatar at the Expo can reunite with their alter egos in Yokohama as well.
## What is null²?
'null²' is a signature pavilion produced by Yoichi Ochiai at the Osaka-Kansai Expo (April 13 - October 13, 2025). Based on the concept of fusing Buddhist philosophy's 'emptiness' with computer science's 'null', it was constructed as an experiential installation combining special mirror films, LEDs, and robotics. It embodied the worldview of 'Digital Nature' where the digital and physical melt through mirror surfaces, attracting a total of approximately 600,000 visitors during the Expo.
It won 1st place in Casa BRUTUS 'BEST Pavilion for Architecture & Design', the 2026 Minna no Kenchiku Grand Prize, and a Silver Award at the JCD/DSA Japan Space Design Awards. The post-closure crowdfunding campaign 'Moving null²' surpassed 100 million yen in 23 hours, ultimately collecting 281,507,500 yen from 15,821 supporters.
## Phase 1: Scheduled to Open in 2026
**null²ⁿ (Null-Null Nexus) — Yokohama Minatomirai Permanent Theater**
'null²ⁿ' is an installation artwork and permanent immersive theater that expands and inherits the internal experience of 'null²'. As Yoichi Ochiai's signature work, it is reconstructed by adding new zones with the theater elements of the Osaka-Kansai Expo at its core. As the name 'ⁿ (Nexus)' suggests, it functions as a permanent hub that creates further connections between 'null²' and people, with plans for regular events and community formation.
Furthermore, through integration with the 'Mirrored Body®' app, a 'Digital Nature Experience Ecosystem' crossing the city and nature, the physical body and the digital, will be deployed in Yokohama. Visitors who acquired a digital avatar at the Expo can reunite with their alter egos in Yokohama as well.