The Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs has opened a new art exhibit at New Chitose Airport as part of its ‘Culture Gate to Japan’ initiative. Artworks by the creative group Naked, Inc. are exhibited at the airport, as well as on the web, with the aim of promoting the appeals of Japanese culture and sharing it with the world.
According to the agency, the theme of the exhibit at the airport in Hokkaido is ‘Invisible’, with Naked, Inc, which specializes in infusing spaces with a variety of media elements to create fresh experiences, exhibiting works based on Ainu culture.
The agency explains that the Ainu are an indigenous people native to Hokkaido, the Tohoku region of Japan, and Eastern Russia. They maintain a distinctive culture characterized by deep gratitude and reverence toward nature, despite the bitterly cold climate of their areas. The Ainu people’s rich spiritual world has been passed on to the present day through songs, dances and stories in the Ainu language, completely distinct from the Japanese language. Naked, Inc. has tried to create sound-based artworks that convey this culture.
From the end of March, visitors will also be able to enhance their experience using the smartphone in their pocket by enjoying the sound and light installation with the aid of an augmented reality (AR) app.