On November 7, Ambassador Roger Dubach together with his wife, Ingrid Dubach-Lemainque, had the pleasure to contribute to the success of Art Week Tokyo by hosting a dinner reception at his residence attended by more than 150 collectors, artists, institution directors, government representatives and professionals of the creative sectors. Organized by Japan Contemporary Art Platform in collaboration with Art Basel, and supported by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Art Week Tokyo is an annual showcase of creativity and diversity of contemporary art in Tokyo. Part of the official VIP program of Art Week Tokyo, the dinner reception at Ambassador Dubach’s residence was graced by the presence of AWT co-representative directors Kazunari Shirai and Atsuko Ninagawa, AWT Focus curator Adam Szymczyk, as well as representatives of Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and major national and international galleries and museums.    

A highlight of the evening was a special preview of Engawa, Imaginary Landscapes by Japanese choreographer and dancer Kenta Kojiri (Vitality.Swiss Ambassador and Prix de Lausanne laureate), accompanied by Rena Narumi. Inspired by the traditional Japanese engawa – a space where interior meets exterior – the work wove movement, space and emotion into a poetic dialogue between body and architecture. Developed since 2023 in collaboration with architect Hannes Mayer, whom Kenta Kojiri met through a project by the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan for Aichi Triennale 2022, the Engawa series continues to evolve. For this installment, the performance culminated in the garden of the Swiss Residence, enhanced/bathed/illuminated for the occasion in a special lighting setup. The original score of Engawa, Imaginary Landscapes has been composed by musician Tatsuki Amano, who also energized the evening with an eclectic DJ set.

The evening also offered a glimpse into Swiss modern art, as Ms. Ingrid Dubach-Lemainque, art critic and curator, guided guests through the Swiss Residence’s collection. She highlighted masterpieces such as Le Corbusier’s 1953 tapestry Les musiciennes, additional prints by Le Corbusier, Zurich Concrete Art works by Max Bill and Camille Graeser, and conceptual lithographs by Geneva-based John Armleder, emphasizing clarity, geometry, rhythm, and color—a perfect complement to the vibrant artistic atmosphere of the night.

The Swiss – Japanese friendship was also featured in the evening menu, a regenerative dining experience fusing sensibilities of both countries, curated by Michelin star Chef Tatsuya Noda and Swiss Residence Chef Daniel Koetschet. From the encounter of shiitake mushrooms and gruyere cheese to the clash between home-made matcha and Swiss chocolate, this “dining table of the future” presented sustainable, locally sourced ingredients treated with a unique twist. In addition, Masaya Izumisawa, a sushi chef, presented his ‘Vegetable Sushi by MIYABI,’ adding vibrant colors and further enlivening the atmosphere of the venue.

“Switzerland is a nation of art enthusiasts, of collectors, of dynamic cultural institutions, a home for many artists, and of course a country of great art fairs and art festivals”, noted Ambassador Dubach in his opening remarks. “And so it is all naturally that we decided to contribute to the wonderful Art Week Tokyo program with this dinner”, he added about the event which was also supported by Switzerland Tourism.

Kenta Kojiri (SandD): Kenta Kojiri began studying ballet at a young age and won a scholarship to study in Europe after receiving an award at the Prix de Lausanne in 1999. He danced with Ballets de Monte-Carlo and Nederlands Dans Theater, performing works by Jiří Kylián, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Wayne McGregor, and Crystal Pite. In 2017, he founded SandD, a project exploring the dancer’s body through cross-genre collaborations. He collaborated with the Swiss Embassy for Aichi Triennale 2022: Kizuki-au — Collaborative Constructions, and in 2024 became the resident choreographer of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No.1. Since 2022, he has served as one of the Vitality.Swiss Ambassadors.

Rena Narumi: Rena Narumi trained at the Centre d’Art Chorégraphique Franco-Japonais in Paris and Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. She has performed internationally with companies including ProArteDanza, Hessischen Staatstheaters Wiesbaden, Royal Swedish Ballet, and Nederlands Dans Theater 1, collaborating with renowned choreographers such as Mats Ek, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, and Sharon Eyal. Notably, she performed the lead role of Juliet in Mats Ek’s Romeo and Juliet at the Paris Opera Garnier and Sadler’s Wells Theater.

Tatsuya Noda: Michelin one-star Chef Tatsuya Noda is known for his innovative French cuisine with a Japanese touch. He leads nôl in Nihonbashi, celebrated for its regenerative and sustainable approach, and curates Innovative Kitchen 8go (Ego) in Tokyo, a restaurant-living lab blending dining with experimentation. Noda trained in France under Michelin-starred chefs and has been a three-time runner-up in Japan’s prestigious young chef competition, RED U-35. Across his ventures, he creates extraordinary, mindful dining experiences that champion sustainability, creativity, and cross-disciplinary innovation.

Daniel Koetschet: Chef at the Residence of the Swiss Ambassador, Daniel Koetschet is a rising talent known for bringing contemporary techniques and fresh perspectives to Swiss cuisine, creating refined yet approachable dishes.