The Matsudo International Science Art Festival is an annual celebration held in the beautiful city of Matsudo, Japan. In 2024, the festival’s theme was “City of Artists,” unlocking the creativity and inner artist in all of us.
The Matsudo International Science Art Festival brings together a diverse group of artists, scientists, and researchers from around the world to showcase their latest projects. Its aim is to connect art, science, and nature – taking place in the historic and picturesque Tojo-tei and Tojogaoka Historical Park. 2024 marked the 7th anniversary of the festival, focusing on the artistic nature in each of us and exploring the power of creativity that emerges when these qualities connect as a community. This vision aligns with Matsudo City’s aim of becoming an international creative city where citizens gain creative inspiration in their daily lives.
Bridge 2040 by Ars Electronica Futurelab (AT); photo: Ayami Kawashima
Bridge 2040 by Ars Electronica Futurelab (AT); photo: Hajime Kato
Nosukaay by Diane Cescutti (FR) ; photo: Hajime Kato
Nosukaay by Diane Cescutti (FR) ; photo: Hajime Kato
Nosukaay by Diane Cescutti (FR) ; photo: Hajime Kato
Cursive Binary and Repetae by Sasha Stiles (US); photo: Ayami Kawashima
Cursive Binary and Repetae by Sasha Stiles (US); photo: Riku Hirota
Artist Talk by Masako Wakamiya (JP); photo: Ayami Kawashima
The festival has also nurtured creative communities as essential catalysts over the years. So, in 2024, some of the focus points were: How do we unlock the creativity and inner artist in all of us? And if everyone were an artist, what kind of artist would you be? During the festival, there were special exhibitions, talks, and workshops throughout the city, extending to the riverside deck at Harusamme-bashi Bridge.
As in previous years, Ars Electronica has been involved in the selection of art works for the Matsudo festival. “Nosukaay” by French transmedia artist Diane Cescutti is an interactive installation, a first attempt at creating an altered “computer”—a textile machine that combines a West African loom and a computer. Language artist Sasha Stiles presented “CURSIVE BINARY” – a proposed language for transhuman understanding and “REPETEA” – excerpts from a 100-line generative poem co-authored by the artist and her AI-powered alter ego Technelegy. Visitors to the Matsudo Festival were also invited to play “Bridge 2040“, a card game developed by Ars Electronica Futurelab to promote dialogue between generations about challenges of the future.
Credits
Ars Electronica Futurelab: Denise Hirtenfelder, Emiko Ogawa, Yoko Shimizu
Matsudo International Science Art Festival