More than 80 galleries gather in one place for the opening of "Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair"! To develop the creative economy throughout Asia... Also pay attention to the creative program
A diverse program will be held over three days from July 21st to 23rd. The Grand Prize and other prizes for the "Science Art Award" sponsored by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have been decided!
The Osaka Kansai International Arts Festival Executive Committee (within Artlogue Co., Ltd.) will be holding "Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair," jointly organized with the Korean plastic art fair "PLAS," at the Osaka Prefectural International Conference Center (Grand Cube Osaka), designed by Kisho Kurokawa, from July 21 (Mon., national holiday) to July 23 (Wed.), 2025. Prior to this, an opening ceremony was held on July 20 (Sun.), inviting media and VIPs.
The art fair will feature a variety of programs, including "Study × PLAS: Galleries," which brings together a diverse range of artists and 62 galleries from around the world, and "Study × PLAS: Selections," a collaborative project with artists exhibiting at the festival and a variety of organizations.
■About "Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair"
"Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair" is an international arts event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, with the aim of promoting future-oriented cultural and artistic exchange and developing the creative economy throughout Asia.
Approximately 80 galleries and organizations from around the world, including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and other Asian countries and regions, as well as France and Switzerland, will participate in this fair. Works that combine diverse perspectives and expressions will be exhibited and sold. In addition, a collaborative project called "Study × PLAS: Selections" will be held, including works by Korean actor and painter Ha Ji-won, as well as artists with ties to Osaka, such as Daido Moriyama and Ellie Omiya, and works will be available for purchase.
In addition, there will be a variety of programs every day that explore the relationship between creativity and society from an art perspective, including a Science Art Award, a Creative Business Contest, and an interdisciplinary international symposium.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/artfair
Three days to pave the way for Asia's future kicks off
The opening ceremony began with the words of Osaka Kansai International Arts Festival General Producer Suzuki Daisuke, who said, "2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, and we have received significant support from the South Korean government, which has enabled us to hold the festival starting today. You can also enjoy works at this venue by artists who are also exhibiting at the Osaka Expo. Over the three days, we will have a packed program, including approximately 80 galleries, joint sessions and symposiums, so please come and enjoy."
Yamagiwa Juichi, Director of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature and Chairman of the Executive Committee, sent the following message: "The international art fairs "Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair" and "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025" are being held at the same time as the Osaka, Kansai Expo. I hope you will be able to see what kind of future artists from around the world and Japan are aiming for when they create their works. The greatest attraction of the three-day art fair that is about to begin is the opportunity to talk directly with not only artists but also people from a variety of fields. I hope you will enjoy the art fair while enjoying the interactions. I am excited that so many different people have come to the fair."
Furthermore, Jun-won Shin, representative of co-organizer PLAS (Plastic Art Seoul), made a powerful comment, saying, "We are extremely honored to be able to hold an art fair here in Osaka on the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea. We hope that this will deepen the ties of art between Japan and Korea." With this, the three-day art fair got off to a spectacular start.
Left: Yamagiwa Juichi / Right: Jun-won Shin
Study x PLAS: Galleries
On the third floor, 62 galleries will gather to exhibit and sell a wide variety of artists from around the world, mainly from Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia, as well as from Switzerland and France. The carefully selected art works brought by each gallery are organized around the regional characteristics and the artist's theme, and a wide variety of expressions are displayed throughout the floor.
Study x PLAS: Selections
On the 10th floor, there will be a special exhibition of Ha Ji-won, who is both an actor and painter, as well as works by the art studio EMISSION, led by Matsuo Takahiro, and others, which will be on display and for sale.
The Ha Ji-won Special Exhibition attracted attention with its display of artist Ha Ji-won's recent works, with the themes of "visualization of emotions" and "sculptural responses to personal memories."
Ha Ji-won Special Exhibition
This art fair also focused on artists from Osaka, and in addition to exhibiting works by Moriyama Daido, the "Omiya Ellie Flowers" exhibition was held, featuring an entire wall of flower-themed works by Omiya Ellie, who passed away in April this year, attracting the interest of many visitors.
kaïchi: Moriyama Daido Exhibition (Planning cooperation: Daido Moriyama Foundation)
Study x PLAS: "Ellie Omiya Flowers" Exhibition at NIIZAWA Art Lounge (Cooperation: Tomio Koyama Gallery, Omiya Ellie Office)
Study: Artists
In addition, "Study: Artists" displayed works that showcased new expressions and appeal from 16 artists and groups, including Okunaka Akihito, Hiwa Kazuhiko, and Hata Yoshio, who will be exhibiting at each venue of "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025," as well as works with a story connected to the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Many visitors stopped to look at the works, and the entire venue was filled with the excitement of art.
Study: Artists Okunaka Akihito
Study: Artists Hiwa Kazuhiko
Study: Artists Hata Yoshio (with cooperation from TheThirdGalleryAya)
[Held on the 21st (Monday, holiday) and 22nd (Tuesday)]
Study × PLAS Meeting: "Art & Impact, Where are we (the Earth) Going?"
This is a satellite talk event for the symposium "Study × PLAS Meeting: Art & Impact - Where are we (the Earth) going?", which tackles global issues through transdisciplinary discussions that cross different fields such as art, science, technology, and anthropology.
At Indonesia Day on the 21st, art experts from both Japan and Indonesia will unravel the latest information about Indonesia's unknown art scene, introducing it from a perspective that has never been discussed before.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/study-meeting
◼️Event Overview
Name: Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair
Date and time: July 21st (Monday/holiday) to July 22nd (Tuesday)
Location: Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka), 5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka
12F Special Conference Room, 10F Special Stage
[Organizer] Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
[Co-organized by] Research Institute for Humanity and Nature Uehiro Center for Environmental Japanese Studies (hereinafter, RIHN UJES), "INOCHI FORUM" and Osaka University Social Solutions Initiative (hereinafter, SSI), Osaka University Institution for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research "Research Division for Future Society that Values Life with a Focus on 'New Disaster Prevention'" (hereinafter, New-POD), National Museum of Ethnology
"Study: Science Art Award" Grand Prize Winner Announced
Grand Prix and EU Award Winners: KADOTA Yu ROHTO Pharmaceutical Special Award Winners: MORI Koichi + MASHIMO Takehisa
On the same day, the award ceremony for the "Study: Science Art Award Supported by ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.", organized by the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee, was also held.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/science-art-award
The aim of this award is to explore new creativity born from the fusion of science and art, and it is sponsored by ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The award is an open competition that challenges the world to creative expressions that utilize cutting-edge fields such as AI, biotechnology, video, audio, programming, and ecosystems, with the theme of the fusion of science, technology, and artistic expression. Of the 64 entries from Japan and overseas, the Grand Prix, ROHTO Pharmaceutical Special Award, and EU Award were announced from the five finalists that advanced to the final round.
KADOTA Yu, winner of both the Grand Prix and the EU Award, spoke of his joy at receiving the awards as follows:
Comment from KADOTA Yu : This piece of work by me visualizes the invisible phenomenon of "heat," and in fact, up until 200 years ago, heat was considered a "material" rather than an "energy." As someone who comes from a sculptural background and has worked with "objects," this production began with the idea that heat could be treated like a material.
He has previously produced works that visualize invisible physical phenomena such as radiation and chaos through simulation, but all of his work has focused on experiments and creating equipment to make the invisible "visible," and the production process is very painstaking in his small studio of just 16.5 tatami mats.
However, the excitement and sense of reward I get when I suddenly "see" the phenomenon is what drives me to create. I am color-blind, so it was very meaningful for me to feel that "although I couldn't share the world I see, I can do so through my work."
I would like to continue producing works that visualize invisible physical phenomena, and this award will encourage me to work even harder.
In addition, the sponsor, ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., presented the Rohto Pharmaceutical Special Award to MORI Koichi + MASHIMO Takehisa.
Comment from MORI Koichi + MASHIMO Takehisa : Thank you very much. Mashimo Takehisa and I have been creating works in this field for the past 20 years or so.
Recently, I have been working on the theme of "breathing." Although breathing is something we all take for granted, stopping it for a minute or two can be life-threatening - so important is breathing that I have been creating works that use it.
On the other hand, I think this work could also be used in the medical field. In particular, I have been paying attention to the possibility that Parkinson's disease patients could use this technology to improve their own rehabilitation by controlling their breathing.
The works of the five finalists who advanced to the final round will be exhibited at the Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka) from July 21st (Monday, holiday) to July 23rd (Wednesday), 2025.
Judges (in no particular order):
Yamada Kunio (Chairman and CEO, ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
Kurosawa Hiromi (CEO of anemos Inc., Curator, Specially Appointed Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts)
Tatehata Akira (Art critic, poet, director of Kyoto Art Center and Yayoi Kusama Museum)
Yamagiwa Juichi (Director of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)
Suzuki Daisuke (General Producer of Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival, CEO of ARTLOGUE)
In addition, during the art fair, a diverse program will be held to explore the relationship between creativity and society from multiple angles, including a creative business contest and an interdisciplinary international symposium.
[Wednesday, 23rd]
Creative Business Contest [StARTs UPs] Final Pitch & Award Ceremony
This is a business contest specializing in the creative economy * , with the aim of developing the culture, arts, and leisure industry, which can solve social issues across sectors. It seeks new business approaches in the culture, arts, and leisure industry, maximizes the appeal of culture and the arts in Japan, and contributes to the realization of sustainable development.
In this contest, eight startup companies that were selected through a rigorous screening process to tackle social issues through art and creative technology will take to the stage to present new business models that tackle social issues from the perspective of art and creative technology and open up the next generation of creative economy.
*Creative economy: Art, design, music, fashion, tourism, urban development, architecture, manga, anime, entertainment, food, events, entertainment, etc.
Click here for details on the creative business contest [StARTs UPs]
■Event Overview
Date and time: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 11:30 open ~ 12:00 start 16:00 end
Location: Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka), 12th floor, 5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Eligibility:
Startup companies (regardless of series) or new corporate ventures that aim to develop and expand the creative economy market, including culture, arts, and entertainment, and create jobs.
*The eight finalists were selected after a rigorous screening process.
[Organizer] Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
[Cooperation] Creww Corporation [Collaboration] Japan Startup Support Association, Creww Korea Co., Ltd.
Weekdays only! Experience "Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair" for just 1,000 yen
We will be selling a special ticket called the "Weekday-Only Late Pass" (120-minute experience/1,000 yen including tax), which allows you to casually enjoy the works of a diverse range of artists from all over the world, mainly from Asia, on weekdays only.
This experience ticket is perfect for those who want to enjoy an art fair casually for the first time. Tickets will only be sold at the reception desk on the day of the event, so please feel free to drop by.
Target date and time:
- July 22nd (Tuesday) Entry from 16:00 to 18:00 (ticket sales start at 16:00)
- July 23rd (Wednesday) Entry from 14:00 to 16:00 (ticket sales start at 14:00)
Ticket sales locations:
Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka) 3rd floor reception *Tickets are only valid on the day of the event.
■Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair Event Overview
Name: Study × PLAS: Asia Art Fair
Dates:
July 21st (Monday/Holiday) 11:00-18:00
July 22 (Tue) 11:00-18:00
Wednesday, July 23rd, 11:00-16:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: Osaka Prefectural International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka) 3F, 10F, 12F (5-3-51 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka)
Organized by: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
Co-organized by: PLAS (Plastic Art Seoul) https://plasticartseoul.com/
Fair Director: Jun-Won Shin (CEO of SEOUL PLAS)
General Producer: Suzuki Daisuke (CEO of ARTLOGUE Inc.)
Program page is here
What is "PLAS"?
PLAS holds an art fair at COEX that specializes in plastic arts such as sculpture, glass, media art, installations, and paintings. PLAS's signature exhibit, the "Large Sculpture Special Exhibition," installs large-scale plastic works that could previously only be seen outdoors inside the venue, providing visitors with a powerful viewing experience. This has established the fair as the largest plastic arts fair in Korea. PLAS also plans fresh spatial compositions and a variety of special exhibitions with unique themes every year, with the aim of contributing to the development of Korean art and popularizing plastic arts.
https://artspoon.io/web/plas
■PLAS Company Profile
Chung Jark Art
- Representative: Representative Jun-won Shin
- Head office location: Seoul, Korea
- Date of establishment: 2015
- Project details: Hosting PLAS Art Fair at COEX in Seoul
Official website and social media
Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025 Official Website: https://osaka-kansai.art/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/study_okiaf/
X (old Twitter): https://x.com/study_OKIAF
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudyOKIAF/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artlogue
Official LINE account: https://lin.ee/4xPbDT6
■Company Profile
ARTLOGUE Inc.
- Representative: Daisuke Suzuki, CEO of ARTLOGUE Inc.
- Head office location: Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Date of establishment: July 7, 2017
- Business details: Planning and management of "Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival" / Planning and management of web media such as "ARTLOGUE" and "Art Tourism"