2015.11.03 Tuesday

009 Strictly “public” work

In this segment, I will touch on an important matter that could not be contained in the previous postings 007 and 008.

The reason why I chose the blog format, a visual space on the internet, as a place to conduct my musings and note my observations is because, I believe in the concept of “public”—I have unwavering faith in the notion and it serves as the bedrock of my own code of conduct.  In my mind, when I visualize the ideal concept of “public” I see great strength and transparency that can stand up to scrutiny from all directions, crystal clear, from all 360 degrees. I sought a way to continue with my observations, without causing any conflict with this ideal image—and from design’s viewpoint—I decided the internet was the most appropriate space for the purpose.

I hardly need to reiterate that the Olympic Games is a major global event carried out on a national scale. The people who manage and support the great event are public figures who are tasked with “public” duties and responsibilities. Some serve in the capacity of “quasi-civil servants.” The selection of the official Olympic Game emblems is also one such “public” work. Though the members of the selection panel are not public figures per se, but by offering their expertise as specialists chosen for the task, I believe we come to share in the “public” responsibility, at least in part. Therefore, if and when a problem occurred in relation to the “public” work we took part in as judges on the panel, the members assume the obligation to disclose all facts to the best of their knowledge. That is my understanding, and that is what I am consciously aware of.

Logically speaking—let me say, in an ideal world—instead of personally disclosing what I heard and learned about this issue, in a space that I personally manage and control, I could have handed over all facts and information that came to my knowledge to the Organization Committee; leave it to the hands of appropriate learned people to sift through the multi-faceted facts and phenomenon and bring some cohesion to it all; they would scrutinize the evidence, organize the facts and report the results to the awaiting public. That was another way to go. And that would have made better sense. However, I was there for the judging process. And after watching the five press conferences held on August 5, August 28, September 1, September 18 and September 28, 2015 by the Organization Committee, I came to see the huge differences between what I believe are the major points and arguments that should be made public, and what the Organization Committee was ready to disclose. The huge differences in perceptions and values were overwhelming—a gap that could not be bridged. I gave up on the idealistic notion of asking the Organization Committee to go public with the facts. Thus I decided to start a personal blog for my observations and record keeping.

I would like to make one thing absolutely clear: had I not believed that as a member of the panel of judges I shared certain “public” responsibilities and obligations, I would not have taken this course of action. 

Even the phrase “official view” has the shadings of “public”—and in fact the Japanese phrase uses the kanji character that means “public”. I scanned the records of the press conferences, while being painfully conscious of the significance of the word “public”. As I wrote in the previous segments, 007 and 008, at the press conference, words that were concocted by the Organization Committee were made public. They were attributed to me, as if they were my own statement; a news reporter—a job that holds social credibility—went ahead and wrote an article based on the disclosed contents; the article was distributed and diffused across the world. I could not do anything to stop the phenomena from happening—leaving me powerless, hopeless and desperate. I spent days in deep humiliation, during which time, once again, I had to confront the major thesis, what is the cause that should be embraced in the notion “public”? It was a difficult time filled with despair and humiliation—but the struggle turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I came out stronger, brave enough to take action.

I believed that if there was a great cause that was good enough for me to sacrifice part of the “self” and the “individual”. But that was before. Having experienced this issue, after my exchanges with the Organization Committee, I have undergone a change. I believe the dignity of “self” and the “individual” must be protected whatever the cause.

To see the philosophies and truths—words—that an individual has painstakingly created throughout his or her life be thrust aside, handled so carelessly and belittled in a “public” forum, is regrettable to say the least. This deep sadness will inspire me to meditate further for a deeper understanding of the notion “public”.

As for the members of the Organization Committee and officials involved in the Olympic Games, as public figures I hope you will take pride in and commit yourselves to and fulfill responsibilities in your “public” work, and that my blogging activity will serve and assist you in some way. Hopefully, someday, my words will make perfect sense and my intentions will be understood. That will be a good day (for me, as well). 
 
Keiko Hirano
 
Keiko Hirano: 
Designer/Visioner, Executive Director of Communication Design Laboratory
Hirano served on the panel that chose the official emblem for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which was ultimately withdrawn.

五輪エンブレム問題の
事実と考察
001 責任がとれる方法で 002 公募期間の短さ 003 『展開』『展開性』『展開力』 004 知らされなかった招待作家 005 ブログを読んで下さっているみなさまへ 006 利害優先の土壌 007 修正案承諾拒否の経緯と理由 - vol.1 008 修正案承諾拒否の経緯と理由 - vol.2 009 『公』の仕事 010 専門家の盾 011 秘密保持誓約書という密室 012 いまこそ、私心なき専門性を問う 013 判断の論拠 014 最終の審議 015 金銭感覚と敬意の相対性 016 表現におけるモラリティと表現者のモラル 017 言葉のちから 018 何のための調査なのか、調査の目的は何なのか - vol.1 019 何のための調査なのか、調査の目的は何なのか - vol.2 020 何のための調査なのか、調査の目的は何なのか - vol.3 021 何のための調査なのか、調査の目的は何なのか - vol.4 022 願い 023 摩訶不思議な調査報告書 024 負の遺産とならないように 025 出口なき迷路 026 届かぬ思い 027「社会に位置づくデザイン」という観点 028 無責任主義の村 029 審査委員として知り得た情報のすべて 030 新聞寄稿文への異論 - vol.1 031 新聞寄稿文への異論 - vol.2 032 1対3の構図 - 「A案」VS「BCD案」 033 今を生きる 034 負の連鎖……を断つために 035 欲望の公害 精神の断絶 036 イカサマ文書 by JAGDA - vol.1 037 イカサマ文書 by JAGDA - vol.2 038 イカサマ文書 by JAGDA - vol.3 039 事実はひとつ 040 新世界へ 041 JAGDA文書への意見と要望 ― 法律の専門家による分析 042 JAGDAの回答 JAGDAへの要望書 043 「要望書へのJAGDAの回答」に対する更なる質問 044 「意見書へのJAGDAの回答」に対する質問と提案 045 ブラック・デザイン 046 弁護士から届いた封書 047 おとぎの国の物語 048 退会届
Tokyo 2020 Olympics Logo Controversy--Facts and Observations 001 My way of taking responsibility 002 Duration of contest was way short 003 “Development” “Development Capabilities” “Development Power” 004 Guest artists I wasn’t told about 005 To My Readers 006 A culture where special interests take priority 007 How and why I refused to accept the modified design - vol.1 008 How and why I refused to accept the modified design - vol.2 009 Strictly “public” work 010 Specialists as shields 011 Behind closed doors-secrecy surrounding a non-disclosure agreement 012 Time to put selfless expertise to the test 013 Rationale behind my decision 014 The final review session 015 Is the money mindset relative to paying respect? 016 Morality of expression and the morals of its creator 017 The power of words 018 An investigation for what? What is the purpose of the investigation - vol.1 019 An investigation for what? What is the purpose of the investigation - vol.2 020 An investigation for what? What is the purpose of the investigation - vol.3 021 An investigation for what? What is the purpose of the investigation - vol.4 022 My wish 023 Mystifying investigation report is out 024 In order to prevent a negative legacy 025 Stuck in a maze with no exit 026 A voice unheard 027 A viewpoint that calls for “design with a place in society” 028 A village with a policy of irresponsibility 029 Every piece of information that I garnered as a judge on the selection committee 030 Objections to a newspaper contribution - vol.1 031 Objections to a newspaper contribution - vol.2 032 The underlying picture of one against three - “Plan A” versus “Plans BCD” 033 Living in the moment 034 Putting a stop……to a negative chain of events 035 Pollution by greed and discontinuity of the spirit 036 Bogus document by JAGDA - vol.1 037 Bogus document by JAGDA - vol.2 038 Bogus document by JAGDA - vol.3 039 Every fact has only one version 040 Toward a whole new world 041 Opinion and request regarding JAGDA document―An analysis by a legal specialist 042 Reply from JAGDA Request letter to JAGDA 043 More questions re: "Reply from JAGDA regarding Request Letter" 044 Questions and proposal re: "Reply from JAGDA regarding Request Letter" 045 Rogue design 046 Letter from the lawyers 047 Tales from Wonderland 048 Withdrawal Notice