Starting in July, marking 160 years of friendship between Japan and France, the Japanese culture and arts festival "Japonismes 2018: Resonating Souls" will be held in France, mainly in Paris. As one of the more than 50 official events, it has been announced that Shingo Katori's first solo exhibition, "NAKAMA des ARTS," will be held in the Halle Charles V in the basement of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Shingo Katori will also be appointed "Japonismes 2018 Public Relations Ambassador."

Mural in the office of the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center
*Exhibition at the "NAKAMA des ARTS" exhibition has yet to be decided
In 2018, marking 160 years of friendship between Japan and France, a large-scale festival of Japanese culture and arts, "Japonismes 2018: les Resonances" will be held in Paris, France, the city of art, and based on an agreement between the two governments. Over a period of approximately eight months, nearly 100 venues in and around Paris will be used to present a wide range of Japanese arts and culture, from classical to contemporary, including art exhibitions, stage performances, films, food, crafts, and other cultures more closely tied to the daily lives of Japanese people. Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, over 50 official events are planned throughout the period, aiming to convey the diverse appeal of Japanese culture to Paris and, through Paris, to the world. Among these, Katori Shingo's first solo exhibition, "NAKAMA des ARTS," will feature not only paintings and objects created under the concept of "connecting with NAKAMA through art," but also fashion and a collaborative work with "new architecture," a dome-shaped piece made up of multiple "ZUKIN" hoods, making its French debut under the concept of "weakness becomes strength." Regarding the exhibition, Katori commented, "I continue to paint, believing there is no end to art. But starting at the Louvre, which is arguably my ultimate goal, is making my artistic brain explode. I want as many people as possible to experience me."


In addition, it has been announced that Katori will be appointed as the "Japonismes 2018 Public Relations Ambassador." Not only is Katori a singer and actor, but his activities as an artist and his expression through a wide range of media, including social media, have received a great response from all generations. Going forward, he will be posting about "Japonismes 2018" on social media and working as a public relations ambassador. In response to this announcement, Katori commented, "I would be delighted if people from all over the world could experience the 'resonating spirits' of my beloved France and Japan in Paris!"