NEWS
A joint research project has been launched by contemporary artist Towa Takaya and Dr Takehito Kato, Professor of Engineering at Oyama National College of Technology.
OCTOBER 06, 2024A new project by contemporary artist Towa Takaya and Takehito Kato (Professor at Oyama National College of Technology, Technical Director of SOLAR POWER PAINTERS Inc. and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Energy Education, a non-profit organisation) has now been launched and will begin collaborative production. *Photo: Towa Takaya and Mr Kato after the first collaborative experiment at Koyama National College of Technology on 29 July 2024.● *Photo: Experiments with different brush strokes and solar-powered ink by Towa Takaya We are currently working towards the goal of presenting the results of our production from 2025 onwards. In the future, we intend to implement the results of this joint research in areas such as support for areas affected by natural disasters. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: <Profile of Towa Takaya > Takaya was born in Tokyo in 1992. Ms. Takaya holds a degree from Goldsmiths, University of London and is currently based in Tokyo. She creates works using colour materials that she has manufactured herself from land, plants and cosmetic ingredients sourced from Japan and abroad. His unique approach to colour exploration, encompassing subtle nuances and rich tonal gradations, invites the viewer into a contemplative space that transcends the ordinary. From 2019 onwards, he will spearhead the WHYNOT project, which aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between artists and individuals engaged in the field of art. She is currently engaged in ongoing initiatives to foster solidarity and community-building through art.Artist official website: <Profile of Dr. Takehito Kato> Born 1979 Doctorate in research on dye-sensitised solar cells at the Kyushu Institute of Technology. He subsequently joined Sumitomo Chemical Co. From 2012 onwards, he has been engaged in research and development of coating-type environmental energy generators at the Oyama National College of Technology, while concurrently directing the training of engineers. Mr. Kato is currently engaged in the management of the NPO Energy Education, with the objective of disseminating and advancing recurrent education in environmental technology on a global scale. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in the social implementation of coating-type power generation technology through Solar Power Painters Inc.Dr Kato Laboratory HP:
Participation in the Second Japan International Arts Festival: Creating the Future U35 Exhibition.
SEPTEMBER 30, 20242nd Japan International Arts Festival: Under 35 for the Future Art Exhibition ◼︎ Overview An exhibition that looks to the bright future through art created by artists under the age of 35 with a young sensibility. The exhibition will be held at the following location. ◼︎ Participating artists Ayaki Amagasaki, Maki Oi, Aika Ai, Gen Oshima, Towa Takaya, Kohei Takayama* (titles omitted, in alphabetical order)Dates ｜ 12 - 20 Oct 2024 9:00-16:00 *Closes completely at 17:00 Venue｜ Sennyuji Temple Shariden, Head Temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism (27 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto) Admission｜Free of charge *Entrance fee required. Organization｜Yumeshima New Industry and City Creation Organisation Special support｜Sennyuji Temple, head temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon BuddhismSupporters' organizations｜Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City / Expo 'Osaka-Kansai' Kyoto Support Council / Japan Association for the 2025 International Exposition, Kansai Association of Corporate Executives / Kansai Economic Federation / Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry ＜About Sennyuji Temple, Head Temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism> The head temple of the Sennyuji School of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is also called 'Goji' (Temple of the Emperor) because of its close connection with the imperial family. The name was changed in the early Kamakura period when Gekirin Daishi Shun-jyo adopted the Dharma style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and set about building a large temple complex with fresh water gushing out of one corner of the site. The Daimon, Butsuden (Buddhist Hall), and Kaisando-Do have been designated national cultural relics, and Shinsho-Den houses many national, prefectural, and municipal cultural relics and unpublished materials, including the calligraphy of Kaisando-Daishi preserved at Sennyu-ji, as well as images and relics of emperors, Buddhist paintings, sutras, and ancient documents. <About the Shariden> *Normally closed to the public. The Shariden is a precious hall where the Buddha's tooth is enshrined. It was moved and renovated from the Kyoto Imperial Palace during the Keicho era and moved to its present location at the same time as the Buddha Hall. The relics were consecrated by his disciple, Master Zhanghai of the Song Dynasty in 1228 (Anjeong 2). It is currently enshrined in the inner sanctuary along with the statues of Vikiten and Gakubata Chosha (both important cultural relics), both from the 2nd year of Kanki's reign (1230). Every year on 8 October (8 September in the lunar calendar), which is considered to be the day of the visit, a Sharikai ceremony is held, which attracts many worshippers. The Shari-den is also famous as the setting for the Noh play Shari. The ceiling is decorated with dragons by Kano Sansetsu, also known as 'Naruryu'. Inside the Sharitori Pagoda is a Buddhist tusked Shari, flanked on either side by the moon-crowned chief and Vikasaten. The song 'Shari' tells the story of the theft of the Buddha's tusk, which is recovered by Vikasaten. Eight statues of the sixteen arhats are painted on the left and right walls of the inner sanctuary by the sixth-generation Kimura Ryotoku. Completed in 1668. ＜About the 2nd Japan International Arts Festival The Japan International Arts Festival, which will be held on the occasion of the 2025 Japan International Exposition, will be based both before and after the Expo in the cultural capital of Kyoto, the Millennium City and home of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and will aim to connect Osaka and the rest of Japan with the Expo and the rest of the world. Through the co-creation of art, design, science, technology and business, we will contribute to building a virtuous ecosystem of culture, art, business and society, and help create a future for Japan as a nation of culture and art and a country of well-being where life shines brightly. In addition to contemporary art, the festival will showcase to the world works created by contemporary artists in the traditional arts of Japan, including Japanese folk art such as folding screen paintings, traditional crafts such as lacquer and ceramics, and traditional performing arts such as Noh and Kabuki. The Yumeshima New Industry and Urban Creation Organisation will be the headquarters for the continuation of this arts festival.
Participation in ART FAIR BEPPU 2024
AUGUST 31, 2024I am pleased to announce that I will be participating as an exhibiting artist at Art Fair Beppu 2024, which will be held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, from 21-24 September. Please see below for an overview. Tickets are required for admission.This year will be the second edition of the fair, which will be held in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, one of the world's leading hot spring resorts, visited by many tourists from home and abroad. Sixty-four up-and-coming artist groups, producing and presenting a diverse range of expressions from contemporary art to crafts, will gather in Beppu. Please take note of the diverse line-up.<Guest artists＞ Internationally active artists will be invited to Art Fair Beppu 2024 as guest artists.Toru Nakazaki (Exhibitor, Tour) Tatsu Nishino * (Exhibition, Tour) Hikaru Fujii (Exhibitor) In alphabetical order Exhibited works are available for purchase. Guest artists will not be present at the venue. Tatsu Nishino will be exhibiting during the tour.<Artists Agnes Yoshii / Hikari Asano / anno lab, Sakurako Nagano (anno lab) / Saori Abe / Shinpei Arima / Yuna Ichimura / Taiyo Ushijima / Yuzuru Ushino / Yuki Ohtsuki / Yukari Ohira / Ryosuke Owaki / Ayumi Okita / Electronica / KAIMON TEI / Masamitsu Katsu / Tachi Kato / Katsuhiro Kubo / Kuwahara Hinano / Natsumi Saito / Teppei Sako / Soma Sato / Salchod Il / System of Culture / Mao Shibata / Kazune Shintaku / Kazutaka Sugitani / Kohei Sekikawa / Marika Takanashi / Towa Takaya / Momo Takeuchi / Ai Tanaka / Chen Weichen / Tokyo Distinyland / Torihiko / Koutarou Nagai / Kosuke Nishimura / Nu Q / Satoto Nonoue / Himawari Harada / valo / Chie Higashi / Ryota Hirai / Yuri Fukuoka / Koutomi Furuya / Kyoka Hosokawa / Sunao Horikawa / Chihiro Hotta / Hiraki Maetani / Ai Saegusa / Masaya Mizuta / Yujiro Miyazaki / Akihiro Mukaiyama / Mineki Murata / Yuusuke Muroi / Ayaka Morikawa / Akane Morishita / Moe Yagi / Chisaki Yamaguchi / YUSHU / YORUDA / Rika Watanabe *50 notes In alphabetical orderThe exhibiting artists were selected by recommendation by the NPO BEPPU PROJECT, which directs the fair, or through an open call for entries.Outline of Art Fair Beppu 2024 Dates: 21 (Sat) - 24 (Tue) September 2024 Number of exhibitors: 64 Venue: Beppu International Tourist Port, former Ferry Sunflower terminal (9-1 Shiomi-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) BEPPU STUDIO 01 (Zaimae Building 1F, 14-2 Kusu-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) Kiyoshima Apartment (2-27 Suehiro-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture) Admission: ¥1,500 in advance / ¥2,000 at the door (sales will start in July). Organiser : Mixed Bathing World Executive CommitteeArt Fair Beppu 2024 official website
Appeared on TV program “The Night Before the Break - Artists of the Next Generation”
JUNE 02, 2024Takaya Towa appeared on TV program “The Night Before the Break - Artists of the Next Generation” broadcast on BS Fuji. The program introduces next-generation artists who will go on to become global artists every week, and broadcasts behind-the-scenes information about their work and their exhibitions. You can watch the video clips at the following page.
Won two awards at the National Calendar Exhibition (2024)
APRIL 23, 2024The 75th National Calendar Exhibition (2024) was held by Japan Federation of Printing Industries and Sankei Shimbun. Takaya Eien's calendar won the "Japan Federation of Printing Industries Chairman's Award" and the "Gold Award". You can check at the following page.
Showing new work of virtual reality in 2020
OCTOBER 30, 2020art workTowa Takaya's digital work for her on going series of "Otherwise than being" has just opened for public. This series begin in 2017 and she has been trying to develop the space painted into virtual reality. For previewing the digital work, please click the link shown below.
Lecture in the department of Art and Culture of Joshibi University of Art and Design
OCTOBER 26, 2020art workTowa Takaya (born in 1992, Tokyo JPN) is going to have a talk iIn the lecture of art activity at at Joshibi University of Art and Design. she is going to talk not only about her activities as an artist but also works as a founder of alternative art space / gallery "why not ?"For further details, please contact to the university. Address: 1st building, Sagamihara Campus, Mamizodai, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-8538 Tel :+81(0)42-778-6685 E-mail :
Artist's Talk with Moemi Takano
OCTOBER 23, 2020Towa Takaya is currently having a open studio. The visitors and she would have a conversation about the topic relating with her art practice and this is going to be an opportunity to see her painting. On 23rd in October, Towa invited Moemi Takano (b,1993 Contemporary artist based in Yokohama)and had an online streaming, discussing about recent everyday practice and Towa's large paintings of which are titled "Propositions".
Artist's Talk with James Bowen
OCTOBER 15, 2020UpdateTowa Takaya (born in 1992, Tokyo JPN) has discussed about the theme and thoughts behind her work of paintings, and her current trials with James Bowen as a guest speaker in Oct, 2020.