The Instant Coffee Collective (ICC) brings its uniquely quirky aesthetic to the Nikkei National Museum archives, unwrapping old stories and creating a stage for new discoveries of Japanese Canadian history.

Magic hour is that time of day when the sun sits below the horizon, and offers a brief period of soft light that takes the breath away. The collective will tease the magic out of the National Nikkei Museum’s archives in an interactive and dynamic way.

Known for their do-it-yourself makeshift approach to art installations and events, ICC have created a stage that is set for unwrapping the collective and individual narratives of the many individuals who have contributed to the Nikkei National Museum’s archive in an interactive and dynamic way.

“Our ongoing theme is to provide a platform for things to happen. In a collection, items are wrapped and tagged. We get to unwrap them to see what the story is,” says Jinhan Ko, member of Instant Coffee.

The Nikkei Narrative: Japanese Canadian legacy

Visitors are encouraged to interact with exhibited pieces – in the case of “Self DJ Station,” by taking advantage of the rich collection of records from a bygone era. | Photo by Jesenka Duranovic

Nikkei National Museum is the only professional museum in Canada specifically focused on Japanese Canadians. The museum’s collection, delineating the legacy of the Japanese Canadian community since the 1800s, has been acquired from and donated by community members.

“We have a range of items in our collection that speak to Japanese Canadian history; like paper records, letters and records. The collection is a community initiative,” says Beth Carter, museum curator.

Recording historical events for Japanese Canadians is behind the community initiative and the overriding mission of Nikkei Centre. The centre was built in the aftermath of the signing of The Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement (1988). Its activities, exhibits and events are aimed at honouring, preserving and sharing Japanese history and culture.

“With changing exhibits and events, there is always a reason to visit,” says Carter. “We are hinting at stories, inspiring people to ask questions and research further. We have books, a reference library and an online database that can give people access to deeper information in the collection.”

ICC’s collaboration with the Nikkei National Museum’s collection resulted from its battle to retain the collective’s Powell Street studio, situated in the historic Japanese neighbourhood. Although the studio was lost due to development, the moment was a catalyst for ICC to engage with the Downtown Eastside residents and activists, and the Nikkei Centre.

“History repeats itself. The Japanese community was interned, disappeared, and now displacement is happening through development and real estate speculation,” says Ko.

This sense of repetition is present in the exhibition. Most notably with the replication of an internment desk, using traditional Japanese tools and techniques.

An effective substitute

As a first collaboration between the museum and ICC, the quirky collective has found a common ground with the makeshift nature of the archive’s many items. Tools, desks and knitted fisherman shorts from the museum’s collection combine with the collective’s lighted display stage, plyboard platform and neon tags to create unexpected harmony.

“We have always wanted to do a project with an archive. There is something very interesting about collecting and activating the archive by pushing our aesthetic on those items,” says Ko.

The novelty and creativity of the exhibit has not gone unnoticed. By receiving the BC Arts Council Innovation Grant, there is support for the innovative collaboration: a lighthearted and fun way to share stories.

“I hope that the younger audience will engage with the exhibit, as well as those outside of the Japanese Canadian community. And, of course, I hope that it will be fun,” says Carter.

It is called Magic Hour, after all.

For more information on Magic Hour at Nikkei National Museum, please visit: www.centre.nikkeiplace.org/magic-hour/

For more information on the Instant Coffee Collective, please visit: www.instantcoffee.org