Nakagin’s Strained Dichotomy

FINALIST of Re-Draw.05: Nakagin Capsule Tower

+ FINALIST

Re-Draw.05: Nakagin Capsule Tower

Nakagin’s Strained Dichotomy

Team

Name: Nadine Tarig

Nationality: Sudanese-Bulgarian-Japanese

Institution / Company: University of Strathclyde

“Nakagin’s Strained Dichotomy” is a drawing that employs an exploded perspective to present a story about Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule tower, illustrating its demolition narrative. The drawing is digitally drawn in the traditional Japanese art style with a mixed media approach. The background is a scroll paper that reflects the theme. 

The building’s right side stands as a stoic mark in history, an enduring symbol of architectural steadfastness. In vivid contrast, the left side shows the exploded capsules taking flight away from the building’s core structure, symbolizing change and impermanence. It also shows an assemblage of demolition machinery that is taking one capsule away, a visual embodiment of the intrinsic conflict between preservation and progress inherent in urban development.

On the ground, protesters gather, forming a determination against the demolition. Their presence resembles conviction, advocating for the preservation of urban heritage.