The Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish was the culmination of a three month residency at ARCUS Studio in Moriya, Ibaraki, Japan. It was an archive of selected reading material thrown out by the citizens of Moriya on a single day and all the rubbish thrown out by Moriya Library in a week.

On one side of the room you could see the Rubbish Library, a selection of reading material thrown out by the citizens of Moriya on a single day: Thursday 6 November 2008.

Visitors could browse the shelves, remove and read the books.

On the other side of the room you could see the Library Rubbish, an archive of all the rubbish thrown out by Moriya City Library in one week: Sunday 9 November to Saturday 15 November 2008.

Visitors could view any of the archive more closely with assistance from the librarian.

There were also a series of events that took place in the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish.

Champagne Reception
Saturday 6 December 7-7.30 pm
Do you work in the garbage collection or recycling industries? Then you are welcome to this exclusive private view of the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish. You will be given the chance to browse the shelves of the library while sipping champagne.

Traditional English Afternoon Tea
Saturday 13 December 3pm
Come and enjoy a traditional English Afternoon Tea, with cucumber sandwiches and scones in the unusual surroundings of the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish.
¥1,000 per party of two

Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish Hotel
Saturday 6-Saturday 13 December (check in at 7 pm / depart following morning by 10 am)
Book a night of luxury in the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish. Whether you want to celebrate a special occasion or simply treat a loved one, let the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish Hotel be your host.

The package for two people includes:
– candle lit dinner for two
– personal tour of the library by artist
– curator’s talk from the Director of ARCUS
– private musical entertainment
– continental breakfast
So why not wake up in unusual surroundings by spending a night with us.
¥15,000 per couple, per night

Book Wreck
Sunday 14 December 5pm-7pm
Have you been annoyed by something that you have read? Do you despair at how some things get published? Are some words not even worth the paper they are printed on? Why not come and take out your frustration on one of the Rubbish Library / Library Rubbish books? On the last day of the ARCUS Open Studios you will be invited to rip, tear, punch, kick, smash, whack and batter the books. (They will then be officially sent to the paper-recycling centre, where they will be shredded and pulped and hopefully become something better instead.)
The Book Wreck will be on a first come first served basis. No booking required.

Produced by ARCUS
Curated by Mizuki Endo
Administration, Machiko Kuroda
Technical Assistance, Takashi Nakamura
Chef, Junko Ito