Open Forum 2016

Professor, Graduate School of Informatics, The University of Tokyo

He specializes in sociology, urban studies, media studies, and cultural studies, and has played a pioneering role as the center of cultural studies in Japan, based on a theatrical approach. Starting from the idea of the formation of drama in gatherings of people, this paper examines popular culture and daily life in modernization, and the power that operates there. In recent years, he has been involved in the Tokyo Cultural Resources District Conference, which reevaluates the cultural resources of the northeast region of Tokyo. He has written many books, including Dramaturgy of the City (1987) and Politics of the Exhibition (1992).

Creative Producer, Creative Strategy Planning Office, Hakuhodo Inc., Project Leader, FUTURE CATALYSTS (Hakuhodo×Ars Electronica)

He helps companies innovate in strategic planning, creative direction, communication design, interactive media production, and new business development. In 2014, a new creative and innovation platform "Future Catalysts: Hakuhodo×Ars Electronica" was launched jointly with Ars Electronica and Hakuhodo. He oversees the challenge of overcoming social issues by transcending traditional frameworks and leveraging the creativity of diverse individuals. Since 2014, he has served as a judge for the PRIX ARS ELECTRONICA international competition, expanding his international partnerships with artists, innovators, and research institutions. As a photographer, he has published exhibitions in Japan and overseas, and has written many photo books.

Curator of Shareable Cities & TEDxTaipei, Co-founder of MakerBar

Co-founder of The Big Questions, an innovative consulting firm specializing in urban reform and data visualization. Director of TEDx Taipei and TEDx Ambassador for Asia. It uses storytelling techniques and new media to change the way we perceive information. He is also a co-founder of Makerbar Taipei, a leading hardware and software integration incubator in Taiwan. He is currently a member of the Legislative Yuan specializing in innovation, technology and education.

Media Artist, Director of HONF Foundation

Since 1999, she has been focusing on new media art and established a new media art lab, HONF Lab (renamed HONF Foundation since 2011) in Yogyakarta. As a space for sharing and nurturing new ideas in the field of media arts, it brings together a broader spectrum of society — artists, creative practitioners, scientists, hackers, activists, and the general public — in a series of exploratory and responsive dialogues that transcend cultural boundaries and bring together education, art, technology, and local communities. Since 2007, he founded and directed "CELLSBUTTON" (Yogyakarta International Media Arts Festival), a new platform for open culture and critical making (2014), and "TRANSFORMAKING" (2015).

Writer, Editor, Visiting Professor, University of Tokyo

Born in Tokyo in 1954, he graduated from Waseda University's Faculty of Politics and Economics, and from the University of Tokyo's Newspaper Research Institute. After working for a publishing company, in 1984, he launched the regional magazine "Yanaka, Nezu, Sendagi," commonly known as Yane 1000. The history of the town is unearthed and established through written accounts. By promoting a fun way to live in the town, Yane 1000 attracted many people and cultural activities flourished. This resulted in the NTT Town Magazine Grand Prize and the Suntory Regional Culture Award. He opposed uncontrolled development and made efforts to preserve and utilize the Ueno Concert Hall, the red-brick Tokyo Station, and other private houses in the area. As a result, he received the Suntory Regional Cultural Award and the Architectural Institute of Japan Cultural Award. He wrote "Yanaka Sketchbook," "Wondrous Town Nezu," "The Adventures of Yane 1000," "Tokyo Heritage," "Ogai no Saka" (The Slope of Ogai) (Newcomer Award of the Minister of Education, Fine Arts), "Sokkyo Shijin no Italia" (The Improvising Poet of Italy) (JTB Travel Literature Award), and "Adventures of Seitou" (Murasaki Shikibu Literature Award).

Project Coordinator, Planner

After working for a design firm, she studied cultural policy and art management at Warwick Graduate School in the UK. From 1999 to 2013, he worked for the Corporate Mecenat Council. As a program officer, engaged in promoting corporate cultural support activities and improving the environment. Responsible for research, planning and management of mecenat projects (Net TAM, etc.), grants, policy proposals, publications, seminars, etc. Currently, he coordinates, edits, writes, consults, and researches all social projects including culture. Director of NPO (Artists and Children, JCDN, Art Platform, Arts Corporation), Auditor (ON-PAM, Otomachi Project, Arts Embrace), Steering Committee Member for Arts for Hope, a project to support reconstruction through art.