New Art Exhibitions at Japan's Airports Showcase Regional Artifacts and Charms of Japanese Culture

The Japan Media Arts Distributed Museum Office has announced the opening of an exhibition in approximately 10 locations, including airports in Japan, as part of a new initiative funded by International Tourist Taxes by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan.

As the first endeavor of this initiative, the office is starting off with a large-scale video installation and a decorative window art piece starting this month, the first year of Reiwa (2019) at the New Chitose Airport International Arrivals Concourse.

​The exhibition marks the start of a new initiative for visitors to Japan called "Japanese cultural media arts dissemination initiative at airports and other institutions" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan.

The artists and creators featured in this exhibition capture the cultural resources borne out of various local cultures through fresh perspectives. By showcasing the works of media art in places like airports, which serve as gateways to these regions, the office invites visitors to explore the true spirit of these cultures throughout their travel.

At the New Chitose Airport, animated artwork by creative company "NAKED" highlighting the ethnic Ainu minority's indigenous culture is showcased in the International Arrivals Concourse. The Ainu people use the name "kamuy" to refer to animals, nature, and the many phenomena that are beyond human understanding. The animation captures the spectacular nature of Hokkaido where the various "kamuy" abide. The story welcomes visitors from other regions and expresses the spirit of the Ainu people. Additionally, a decorative artwork inspired by traditional Ainu patterns is exhibited on the concourse window, transforming the International Arrivals Concourse into a gateway to Japanese culture by promoting "media art meets Ainu culture".

*This exhibition is displayed within the International Arrivals Concourse, and is not available for viewing by the general public. Only passengers arriving on international flights are able to see this exhibition. Other information, including future exhibitions at other airports, will be announced when details are confirmed.

Ainu culture
Ainu culture encompasses the language, food, housing, belief systems, crafts and artistic traditions of the Ainu people, the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido. Ainu daily living tools and traditional dance have been designated as Important Folk Cultural Assets (both tangible and intangible). Additionally, Ainu patterns, folklore, and geographical names derived from the Ainu language are widely used and have been appointed as Hokkaido Cultural Heritage artifacts. Although there are no longer individuals who practice the traditional Ainu lifestyle, the core of Ainu culture has been handed down through generations and lives on today in many places.

NAKED
NAKED Inc. is a creative company founded in 1997, with a team comprised of video directors, designers, CG directors, and writers led by Ryotaro Muramatsu. We create videos, advertisements, TV, and installations across many media platforms in varying genres. Our latest projects utilize light to create a holistic artistic experience, by incorporating a variety of technologies, artistic techniques, and staging tools such as projection mapping. As of today, the events and exhibitions our company has planned, directed, and produced, have been seen by over three million people. Official NAKED Inc. Website

​Concept: The Breath of KAMUY
In Ainu culture, it is believed that the world is formed from interactions between people and spiritual beings known as kamuy, which has a similar meaning to the Japanese word kami (god). The Ainu people use the name kamuy to refer to animals, nature, and the many phenomena that are beyond human understanding. This painting captures the spectacular nature of Hokkaido where the various kamuy abide. It tells the story of guidance received from a species of owl (Blakiston’s fish owl), known as “kotan-kor-kamuy,” believed to be a special kamuy that protects villages. This story is meant to welcome visitors from other nations and expresses the spirit of the Ainu people.