A collective music experience beyond boundaries.
A world where everyone can shine as themselves
"Earth ∞ Pieces" is a participatory art project inspired by Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9. For each edition, performers are recruited through an open call to create a one-day-only collective performance. Crossing musical genres, instruments, and levels of experience, the project brings together diverse participants to form temporary ensembles that challenge and expand conventional ideas of orchestras and collective music-making. The world premiere took place in Yokohama in March 2024, featuring 28 participants ranging in age from their teens to their 60s, including people balancing illness, parenting, caregiving, and work. In March 2026, the project was presented in Milan, Italy, as part of the official cultural program of the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games and as a commemorative project marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy.
The introduction of the world premiere.
with subtitles
This project was proposed and is supervised by Slow Label's Artistic Director Yoshie Kris, who also supervised the planning and direction of the Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games' Opening and Closing Ceremonies from a DE&I perspective. Following the closure of the Paralympics in 2021, Kris, who expressed a desire to go beyond the framework of "para," began conceptualizing this project in 2022. Joining her is musician Shuta Hasunuma, who, as the Music Director, provided and conducted music at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
SLOW LABEL
Artistic DirectorYoshie Kris
message
Over the past few years, I have encountered many challenges, including my own sense of "difficulty in living." It's not just about the stereotype of "minority = hardship," but rather a serious common issue that many modern people face directly. In an era where true "harmony" is needed, acknowledging and leveraging each other's differences, rather than simply trying to fit in, is crucial. It's time to move away from conformity and embrace genuine harmony, where we support and uplift one another. Let's start by doing what we can for our own well-being, before extending our help to others.
profile
Yoshie Kris studied art management at Tokyo Zokei University, and obtained a master’s degree in business design from Domus Academy in Italy. For over 25 years, she has been involved in citizen-participation art projects that connect people and communities from different fields, attempting social change through dialogue and collaborative processes. In 2010, she encountered the world of disability welfare due to osteosarcoma. The following year, she founded SLOW LABEL. As the general director of the Yokohama Paratriennale (2014-2020), she developed mechanisms for accessibility in stage and event production. For the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, she comprehensively supervised the planning, direction, choreography, casting, rehearsal operations, and commentary guides from a DE&I perspective. She received the 65th Yokohama Cultural Award "Culture and Arts Encouragement Award," and is a Thursday commentator on TBS’s "Hiruobi."
https://miracle.fanEarth ∞ Pieces
Music DirectorShuta Hasunuma
message
This project originated from my experience of creating and performing music with the members of the Para Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. It’s an advancement of that initiative. What we do is listen to music, play music, and share those moments and spaces. It signifies that the lives of the audience and the players translate into different sounds, and they overlap as music. I hope this unheard-of challenge will serve as an opportunity to create new realms. We look forward to your participation.
profile
Shuta Hasunuma was born in 1983 in Tokyo. Since forming the Shuta Hasunuma Phil, he has been involved in numerous music productions, including domestic and international music performances, as well as in film, theater, and dance. He also applies the method of "composition" to material expressions, creating sculptures, videos, installations, performances, workshops, and projects. His international activities are extensive, including serving as the grantee of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) in 2013, and being appointed as the "Japan Cultural Envoy for East Asia" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2017. Notable solo exhibitions include "Compositions" (Pioneer Works, New York / 2018) and " ~ ing" (Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo / 2018). He is a recipient of the 69th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, he arranged the Paralympic Anthem and conducted the Para Orchestra, composed of musicians both with and without disabilities.
http://www.shutahasunuma.com/Our Social Action
The value of art in the new era, proposed by SLOW LABEL
This program aims to raise awareness of "Accessibility (Human Rights)" and "Sustainability (Environment)" throughout society, which unfolds through the hosting of a concert. It is a social action initiative aimed at incorporating unique efforts into various elements of the concert.
Background and Vision
SLOW LABEL has been implementing a variety of projects aiming to create a world of "diversity and harmony" through the power of art, and to bring back a "SLOW" sensibility to a society often preoccupied with productivity. Following the conclusion of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, we initiated new dialogues to disseminate the value of diversity to the wider society.
However, we often hear voices saying, "We recognize the need, but it’s difficult to put it into practice currently." Even when initiatives are undertaken, they largely depend on public funding, posing challenges in terms of sustainability. Furthermore, since the advent of COVID-19, unseen isolation and disparities have expanded amidst the unprecedentedly rapid technological evolution, leaving everyone burdened with stress and difficulty in living.
In our activities, we have strongly felt that "accessibility (human rights)" and "sustainability (environment)" are two sides of the same coin. A psychologically safe environment where diversity is respected allows everyone to express their creativity in their own way and to respect each other, thus reducing the risk of harassment and supporting mental health. We believe that this approach to fundamental well-being is the most essential driving force for sustained actions that are kind to both people and the planet.
A Community that can Contribute Eternally to the Well-being of Both People and the Planet
The aim of this project is to create a community (cultural ecosystem) that can contribute eternally to the well-being of both people and the planet, utilizing the power of art. Without being bound by existing industry structures or conventional wisdom, we are gathering domestic and international partners to nurture a "new culture" based on global ethical standards. Through the universally known "Ode to Joy," we aim to create interactions between people living in Japan and those from various cultures and values, distinguished by race, religion, nationality, etc. This initiative strives to be a pioneering model seeking a truly diverse and harmonious world, transcending all barriers.