September 17–November 20, 2016
Hitachi Civic Center
Director: Fumio Nanjo
Curators: Yukiko Shikata, Kodama Kanazawa
The north region of Ibaraki Prefecture (five cities and one town in northern Ibaraki) carriers a unique atmosphere formed by the combination of vast, beautiful beaches and mountains endowed with rich greenery. While people lead lives based on traditional culture and society, the area is located just outside the metropolis of Tokyo and is therefore close enough to feel modern new technologies and culture.
On top of such features, the area carries historical importance as it also symbolizes Japan as it started pursuing modernization ahead of all other countries in Asia. The region features one of Japan's four major mines, which has been developed since the 19th century, and from it, industries grew, such as Hitachi Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co.,LTD.
Furthermore, the area is significant in the history of Japanese art. During the 19th century when domestic policies were set to westernize Japan as a whole, art activist and authoritative figure Okakura Tenshin pursued the beauty of Asia through a panoramic view of the flow of time, people and ideas from ancient times, and promoted Japanese modern art with his peers. The area is the location where Okakura Tenshin based his activities.
The land is also embedded with an enterprising spirit. The international science exposition was held there in 1985, and the University of Tsukuba and other research institutions are located within the prefecture to develop state-of-the-art science and technologies. In 1995, the artist Christo and Jeanne-Claude conducted their project The Umbrella in Hitachiota through dialogue with residents who were not familiar with contemporary art.
The art festival focuses on the nature, historical significance and spirit of innovation found throughout Ibaraki. Along with artwork that corresponds with the context of the environment and the land, we introduce new media art and bio art, taking note of collaboration with state-of-the-art science and technology.
Being creative is to lead a better life. We always have made “various things” using ingenuity and have innovated “technologies.” Joy comes from advancing with unique ideas, original perspectives and new attempts. It is our wish to be able to share the joy with local people and people around the world through art.
It is art that makes the integration of nature, scientific technologies and humanity possible.
Participating artists
Norimizu Ameya, Song-Ming Ang, Nobutaka Aozaki, BCL, Daniel Buren, Zadok Ben-David, Michael Beutler, Oron & Ionat & Mike, CALAR.ink**, Saki Chikaraishi, Vincensius ‘Venzha’ Christiawan, Tiffany Chung, Composit, Isabelle Desjeux, Hiroshi Fuji, Takafumi Fukasawa*, Debbie Han, Takafumi Hara, Gojing-Maru Hayashi*, Katsuhiko Hibino, Ibaraki Design Promotion Conference*, Shinta Inoue, Aki Inomata, Interfering Floating Bodies**, Takashi Ishida, Kosho Ito, Hideo Iwasaki + metaPhorest, Ian Carlo Jaucian, Matthew Jensen, Jung Hye Ryun, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, KatoMasudaSaitoIwasawa (KMSI)**, Yoichiro Kawaguchi, Keiko Kimoto, Mariko Kinoshita, Choi Jeong Hwa, Jun Kitazawa, Pius Sigit Kuncoro, Takamasa Kuniyasu, Le Thua Tien, Sandrine Llouquet, magma, Tea Mäkipää, Satoko Masuda, Shizuka Matsui*, Mieko Matsumoto, Soichiro Mihara, Katsuto Miyahara*, Akane Moriyama, Fumiaki Murakami*, Tohru Nakazaki, Yoichi Ochiai, Miki Okamura, Nipan Oranniwesna, Tuksina Pipitkul, Sudsiri Pui-Ock, Tawatchai Puntusawasdi, Rafaël Rozendaal, Sumito Sakakibara, Nitipak Samsen, Yu Sato, secca, Kazuyo Sejima, Mithu Sen, Ryota Shioya, Sound of TapBoard**, SPREAD, Yoshihiro Suda, Hiroshi Suzuki + Masato Ohki*, Shintaro Tanaka, teamLab, Tokyo University of the Arts, Shohei Tsuda, Elena Tutatchikova, Satoshi Uchiumi, Yuji Ueno, Vide Infra**, Pieter Vermeersch, Ei Wada, Zhan Wang, Wang Te-Yu, Etsuko Yakushimaru, Miki Yamamoto, Ken + Julia Yonetani, Keisuke Yunoki* (*Selected from open call, **Selected from Hackathon)
Venue
Five cities and one town in the northern Ibaraki Prefecture (Hitachi, Takahagi, Kitaibaraki, Hitachiota, Hitachiomiya and Daigo), Japan
