“Challenge Art in Japan 2016 – Kanjo no Kishibe (literal translation: a circular shore)“, the art exhibition featuring works of Japanese and South Korean students at Tokyo University of the Arts started on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at the Korean Cultural Center in Yotsuya, Shinjuku Ward.

Challenge Art is an annual art exhibition that is hosted by the Korean Cultural Center, the public diplomacy arm of the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Japan. It is usually an opportunity for Korean artists studying at art universities in Japan to showcase their artworks. However, the 2016 exhibition was made available for both Korean and Japanese students studying at TUA, as a collaborative project between the two institutions.

Furthermore, TUA students were able to participate in the exhibition not only as the exhibitors but also as the operator of the whole event. The participating students formed the steering committee that was responsible for setting the title and theme of the exhibition, making decisions on the presentation of artworks, drafting plans for related events, and preparing PR materials. Taking advantage of this opportunity, a total of 19 South Korean and Japanese students (12 artists and 7 curators with a variety of backgrounds including painting, design, craft, sculpture, film and new media, and music) exhibited the outcomes of their respective studies. We are very grateful for the consideration of the Korean Cultural Center, which paid utmost respect to the students’ autonomy in the exhibition.

The opening ceremony began with the organizers’ speeches by President Kim Hyun-Hwan of the Korean Cultural Center, and President Kazuki Sawa and Professor Arisumi Mitamura of TUA, followed by a student address by Midori Miyakawa, who is a master’s student of the Arts Studies and Curatorial Practices program.

The ceremony went on with the introduction by Ms. Miyakawa of all the participating students, and a piano performance by Lim Hyun-Mook, who is a student of the Musical Creativity and the Environment program. Then, Mr. Koji Moribe, from the corporate planning division of MARUHAN Corporation that has exceptionally supported this art exhibition offered round-trip airline tickets to South Korea to all the participating students. We are also very grateful for MARUHAN’s understanding of the purpose of the exhibition, and very much appreciate the opportunity provided to our students.

With a ribbon cutting ceremony by the organizers and guests represented by Keisuke Isoya, the Deputy Director-General, Commissioner’s Secretariat, Agency for Cultural Affairs, the exhibition preview started, and the artists explained to visitors about their artworks and thoughts.

This art exhibition is open until Saturday, November 26. The participating students will stay in turn at the venue to provide explanations on the works. Related events of lectures and a talk-session by TUA’s professors will also be held to welcome visitors.