Aichi Triennale 2019, Japan's largest international art festival, will be held for 75 days from August 1 to October 14, with its main venues in Nagoya and Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Held every three years since 2010, this year marks the fourth edition of the Aichi Triennale. This year's theme is "Taming Y/Our Passion," and as of March 27, a total of 79 artists and groups from 27 countries and regions have been confirmed to participate. With Daisuke Tsuda as artistic director, the festival will showcase cutting-edge art across a variety of media, including international contemporary art exhibitions, video programs, performing arts, and music programs.  

The programs are broadly divided into three categories: contemporary art, performing arts, and learning.

The international contemporary art exhibition planned by the contemporary art section will showcase works by over 60 artists and groups from Japan and abroad, introducing cutting-edge contemporary art. Works will be exhibited mainly at the Aichi Arts Center, which includes the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, as well as at the Nagoya City Art Museum, downtown Nagoya (Shikemichi and Endoji), and Toyota City (Toyota Municipal Museum of Art and around Toyotashi Station). Participating artists range from Japan-based artists such as Aoki Miku, Dokuyama Bontaro, Tanaka Koki, Ito Gavin, Echigo Masashi, Imamura Yohei, Imazu Kei, Ishiba Fumiko, and Iwasaki Takahiro to internationally based artists such as Walead Beshty, Hong Songming An & Jason Meiling, Candice Breitz, Ge Yulu, Ho Tzu Nyen, James Bridle, Tania Bruguera, Miriam Cahn, Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Ayşe Erkmen, exonemo, and Ceal Floyer.

Ayşe Erkmen, On Water, 2017
Photo: Roman Mensing/Münster
James Bridle, Drone Shadow 002, 2012, Istanbul (Turkey)

In the performing arts, we plan stage performances in two genres: performing arts and music programs. New music programs, including rock and pop, will be added to the program, delivering their appeal through live performances. At the Aichi Arts Center Main Hall, Sakanaction will perform a unique live performance that could be called a "spatial installation" on August 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th. This will be a departure from Sakanaction's usual performances, presenting an experimental, new musical experience using a cutting-edge sound system. Rather than a one-night show, the group will attempt a meticulous production, made possible by performing the show over four consecutive days at the same venue. Other upcoming events include the Aichi Triennale 2019 Music & Arts Festival, a music program that transcends the boundaries of art and music, held at the Aichi Arts Center as its main venue. Stay tuned for more details.

Sakanaction

Meanwhile, the performing arts section will feature around 10 cutting-edge theatrical productions from Japan and abroad, mainly at the Aichi Arts Center. Participants include Monira Al Qadiri, Satoko Ichihara (Q), Meiro Koizumi, and Nature Theatre of Oklahoma + ENQNAP Group, with Satoko Ichihara (Q) presenting a world premiere of a new work, and Meiro Koizumi presenting a newly created theatrical work (title yet to be decided).

Ichihara Satoko (Q) "Underground Fairy" 2017, SCOOL, Tokyo
Photo: Mizuki Sato Courtesy of Q

Collaborative projects will also be held at various other venues. Check the official website for details and ticket information.