Historically, Ars Electronica and Japanese artists have collaborated on creative projects for the annual Ars Electronica Festival, Ars Electronica Center and Ars Electronica Export exhibitions. What is more, many Japanese creators have been awarded the Prix Ars Electronica in the past. The Ars Electronica ecosystem has proven to be fertile ground for creating future dialogues between art, technology and Japanese society.
Credit: tom mesic
Credit: Hajime Kato
Credit: tom mesic
Credit: Ars Electronica / Martin Hieslmair
Following this background, Ars Electronica Japan has been creating dynamic interactions in the import and export of creative programs between Japan and Linz. The idea of a Pop-Up Ars Electronica aims to bring the feeling of Ars Electronica to Japan, as well as to create new platforms for discussing future society together with artists and citizens. Ever since 2018, unique programs of Pop-Up Ars Electronica are being realized throughout the year, such as School of the Future at Tokyo Midtown in Tokyo or Ars Electronica in the Knowledge Capital in Osaka.
Based on its considerable creative network, Ars Electronica collaborates with Hakuhodo, one of Japan’s biggest advertising communication companies, to create a mission-driven community for a better Tokyo by 2020. The very first Future Innovators Summit Tokyo at Tokyo Midtown in May 2018 is symbolic of this aim. The Ars Electronica Tokyo Initiative with Hakuhodo aims to create not only a think-tank, but also a “do-tank” for social innovation inspired in Tokyo.
Credit: Tsukuru Ozaki / Ars Electronica Tokyo Initiative
Credit: Tsukuru Ozaki / Ars Electronica Tokyo Initiative
Credit: Tsukuru Ozaki / Ars Electronica Tokyo Initiative
Credit: Tsukuru Ozaki / Ars Electronica Tokyo Initiative
In another series of collaborative projects, Ars Electronica Japan has conducted joint research projects based on Japan’s preparation for the Olympics 2020 in Tokyo. The NTT Swarm Arena Project is one of them: Together with the Japanese Telecommunication Company NTT, Ars Electronica Japan aims to create a new kind of sports viewing experience by developing a swarm display bots system. Another example is the Future Project, in collaboration with Japan’s largest public broadcasting organization, NHK. It is a research project to explore creative use of 8K, the next generation of ultra-high definition TV technology.
