For the fourth Okayama Art Summit, Shimabuku has been appointed as the Artistic Translator bridging the exhibition's concept with others through various programs. 

We are now calling for production supporters for the event “Flying People” to be held in mid-May 2025 as one of these programs. A workshop with a lecture will be held on the following dates. This is a chance to work with Shimabuku on his artwork. We are looking forward to receiving applications from those who are interested.

About "Flying People”
"Flying People" is a participatory artwork by Shimabuku, where each participant creates a life-sized self-portrait kite and flies it themselves. Previously held in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and Santander, Spain, this project has engaged approximately 300 participants. In Okayama, we aim to involve around 100 citizens in 2025.

The process in progress

The process in progress

Participation Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older and able to collaborate with others and event organizers.


• Skilled in drawing or crafting.


• Available to attend both days of the lecture-workshop on March 8 (Sat) and 9 (Sun), 2025 (with March 10 reserved as a rain date).　
  Schedule (Tentative):
  March 8 (Sat): 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  March 9 (Sun): 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  (If it rains on March 9, the session will be held on March 10 (Mon): 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)


• Willing to support the production of the "Flying People” event in mid-May 2025.


• Able to communicate via email.


• Interested in the works of Shimabuku.

Number of Supporters
Approximately 5–8 individuals will be selected through a screening process.

Compensation
A transportation expense of 1,000 JPY per day will be provided.
An additional activity fee will be paid to production supporters during the "Flying People” event in mid-May 2025.

How to Apply

Please send an email to artsummit.at@gmail.com with the following information and attach a portrait photo of yourself:　
Name/ Gender/ Nationality/ Phone number/ Address/ Occupation/ Background/ Reason for applying

• Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Friday)


• Notification of Results: Applicants will be informed of the results by February 10, 2025 (Monday).

We look forward to your participation in this project!

About SHIMABUKU

Born in 1969 in Kobe, Japan. He actively works on a worldwide platform from his current base in Naha, Okinawa. Since the early 1990s, he has traveled extensively around the world, manifesting performances, installations, videos, and sculptures that explore new modes of communication relevant to the people living in the region and their customs and culture. His projects have often touched on the relationship between living things and humans. SHIMABUKU's metaphorical and evocative approach abounding in poetic sentiment and humor has earned him international acclaim.

Shimabuku participated in the 1st and 3rd editions of the Okayama Art Summit. He is currently holding a solo exhibition at Centro Botín in Santander, Spain, until March 9, 2025.　Other notable recent solo exhibitions include Kunsthalle Bern (2014), NMNM Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (2021), Wiels, Brussels, Belgium (2022) and MUSEION: Museum of modern and contemporary art, Bolzano, Italy (2023). Group exhibitions include, Centre Pompidou in Paris and Hayward Gallery in London, and in numerous international exhibitions including Venice Biennale (2003 & 2017), the São Paulo Biennial (2006), Havana Biennal (2015) and Lyon Biennale (2017).

Organizer/Contact

Okayama Art Summit Executive Committee (within the Cultural Promotion Division, Okayama City Hall)

Email: artsummit.at@gmail.com

Website: https://www.okayamaartsummit.jp