Art Complex 1928, a contemporary performing-arts venue in central Kyoto, used to be a regional office of the Mainichi Shimbun national newspaper. Its 1920s Art Deco-inspired architecture — including a star-shaped balcony and windows by Goichi Takeda — has even been officially designated a Tangible Cultural Property.
But for some time now, the main hall there has been home to "Gear," a decidedly intangible sort of high-tech, non-verbal, immersive theater show whose run ends on March 30.
Directed by On Kyakuyou, "Gear" is the story of four humanoid robots stuck on the assembly line of an abandoned toy factory in a desolate, automated future.