A vague unease is rearing its head. Something is looming, and we feel frustration at our inability to do anything. The ordinary life we thought would never change is rapidly undergoing extraordinary transformation, and dark clouds are massing overhead.

Ever since the earth shook so violently six and half years ago, the shadow of indescribable anxiety has slowly but surely enveloped our lives; nuclear accidents, new legislation enabling the right to collective self-defense, the Futenma base relocation issue, constitutional reform, hate speeches, the conspiracy bill. Turning our attention overseas, we’ve seen the emergence of a previously unthinkable presidency, and the global issue of refugees and immigrants has yet to see a solution. Not only have we been unable to bridge the gap with neighboring countries on historical issues, but fear of nuclear conflict in the region is creeping closer to reality.

In such an environment, the last few years have seen political expression in art become common in Japan. However much of it seems to be the adoption of political issues for the sake of creating a piece, and gives the impression of being somewhat removed from our daily lives. I refer to the proliferation of politically-correct art designed only to make a name for the artist and lacking any real impact.

Is there really nothing we can do as individuals to combat the realities of this society of ours in massive flux? Is our only remaining option to simply give up and go with the flow?

The theme for this year’s TERATOTERA Festival is “neo-political”. Artists invited to participate have created works based on personal interests and issues, and at first glance many of them seem far from being political expressions. However I myself cannot help feeling that the personal expressions of these men and women are somehow connected to larger issues. This isn’t politics with a capital P, but new political expression only possible through the journey of the individual.

We requested one thing of the artists for this year’s festival, and that was to involve the audience in their works in some form or other. Politics is something that everyone in a society should be involved in, and the issues are ours alone. Over the course of this three-day festival, we would like to share with visitors the resulting art with a “neo-political” twist, and give them the opportunity to think.

Director of TERATOTERA
Nozomu Ogawa