"Study: Osaka Kansai International Arts Festival" Science Art Award to select science artists who will create the future
~Grand Prix Rohto Prize winner announced~
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, President: Hidetoshi Seki) selected five finalists from 64 entries for the Study: Science Art Award (hereinafter referred to as "the Award"), sponsored by the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee, and announced the Grand Prix, EU Award, and Rohto Award winners at the final judging on July 20th. The Award aims to pursue new possibilities for artistic expression through the fusion of art and science, and to discover and support the next generation of artists who utilize the latest technology. We will utilize the power of science to contribute to solving social issues and creating new value for the future.
■"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
Left: KADOTA Yu / Right: Judge YAMAGIWA Juichi
Comment from KADOTA Yu, winner of both the Grand Prix and EU Prize:
This piece I made is a visualization of the invisible phenomenon known as "heat," and in fact, up until 200 years ago, heat was considered a "material" rather than an "energy." Coming from a sculptural background and having worked with "objects," I began this work 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.
Left: MORI Koichi / Right: YAMADA Kunio, Chairman and CEO of ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Comment from ROHTO Pharmaceutical Special Award winners: MORI Koichi + MASHIMO Takehisa:
Thank you very much. Takehisa Mashimo 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.
■ Background and Thoughts
Our company's purpose is to "invigorate people, society, and the world of tomorrow." We are addressing social issues and working on various activities with a long-term perspective to realize a better well-being for people all over the world. We believe that innovative science and technology will not only contribute to the development of products and services, but also to the creation of new value and culture for the next generation. We are expecting a synergistic effect from holding the Osaka-Kansai Expo and this art festival at the same time in 2025, and we are participating in the project because we sympathize with the purpose of creating a cultural and artistic event that will be overflowing with art and creativity in the streets of Osaka and Kansai, established as a part of the city's charm, and inherited and developed as a growth strategy.
■About the "Study: Science Art Award supported by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd."
Although there is no clear definition of science art yet, it is a general term that includes media art that utilizes computers, programming, AI, etc., and bioart that utilizes genetic engineering, tissue culture, cloning, etc.
We believe that by fusing science and art, we can create a new creative future, contribute to solving social issues and creating new value, and that values and creativity such as being "cutting edge," "advanced," and "conventional" will have a new impact on society.
This award will be held as part of the festival's program to support artists and researchers so that they can play an active role on the world stage. It aims to foster the creativity of the next generation, and is part of an effort to make Osaka an art-filled city, contributing to the future development of Osaka.
＜Overview＞
The judging process will focus on artistic quality that utilizes science and technology, and the originality and feasibility of the concept, and select five finalists. The finalists will be given the opportunity to exhibit their works in the "Finalist Exhibition," participate in the international art fair "Study × PLAS: Asia Arts Fair," and have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with artists, researchers, and visitors from Japan and abroad. For more details and the latest information, please check this URL.
https://osaka-kansai.art/pages/science-art-award
・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"