Unique new art exhibit opens at New Chitose Airport

Japan’s 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.

The theme of the exhibit at the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido is ‘Invisible’. The creative company Naked Inc, which specialises in infusing spaces with a variety of media elements to create fresh experiences, is exhibiting works based on the theme of Ainu culture.

The Ainu are the indigenous people native to Hokkaido, the Tohoku region of Japan, and eastern Russia. They maintain a distinctive culture characterised by deep gratitude and reverence toward the nature found in the bitterly cold climate in their areas.

Like many ancient cultures, the Ainu people’s rich spiritual world has been passed on to the present day through songs, dances, and stories in the Ainu language, which is completely distinct from the Japanese language.

Naked Inc. has created sound-based artworks that convey the culture and spirit of the Ainu people, which have been passed down from generation to generation through the oral traditions of language and music.

In addition, beginning at the end of March, visitors will 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.