Interdisciplinary Art Festival Tokyo 17

Interdisciplinary Art Festival Tokyo 17/18

For any person, the freedom of expression must be kept. Many people in history have fought to gain the principle. A work, which has left its artist once, has autonomy. It is unhappy for the work if it loses opportunities to be presented and cannot be enjoyed at a public space for sexual or political subjects. Laws are enacted by people, and powers are owned by people. Michel Foucault mentioned in his book that he did not regard a power as one huge system or structure; he regarded it could be generated anytime, anywhere, from one spot to other related spots. In addition, he developed his theory by pointing out that a person would impose a silence on others as a result of his silence without saying a word. Both social system and art are developed by people, artworks also are ideas of people and created by them. Ultimately, there is no hierarchical relationship between the them. It is an inerasable fact that a work still exists even if it does not meet the ethic or violates a law or criticizes the current system. A work that involves autonomy should be opened in appropriate time and at appropriate place to anybody.

Art and expressions are not interpreted only with ethical right or wrong; it is judged by viewers, who may be experts or may not be, by putting the ratio of beauty and ugliness, various concepts as well as ideas and influences derived from the works into personal or historical background. The judgement is not an absolute thing, and it is relative; however, works that have many elements of ambiguity and boundary in the interdisciplinary field and make viewers unable to judge sometimes have strengths. The type of works completely change the ideas what it used to be and it occasionally will determine the future art.

Nets of “regulation” by three different positions; the artist, organizer, and viewer, cannot easily be erased. Therefore; by making them transparent with the “imagination” that art has, the purpose of this exhibition in order to bring about active discussions as water that comes and goes between nets was decided.

At IAFT 17/18, with themes of societies, politics, natures, sexes and others, many types of works such as that have social criticized by showing the medium of media structurally, that warn society crossing deviate opinions off from the totalitarianism, and that try expansions of display methods, are exhibited. Argu ments of contents of the works, questions about social conditions that cause self-imposed restraint, and ideas what exhibiting in public spaces is were considered, and artists who mainly work in East Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia) curated in these directions exhibit their works raise questions to the society.

(text source: IAFT)

Interdisciplinary Art Festival Tokyo

インターディシプリナリー・アート・フェスティバル・トウキョウ

In 2009 IAFT was founded, as a reincarnation of “Far East Audio Visual Socialization(FEAVS),” to shatter the current norm of fixed spaces and audiences; and to discover artists who create new values going beyond the borders of artistic practice. We feature artists who engage in interdisciplinary practice, creating new values that connect people by introducing more dynamic art festivals that reflects contemporary society. Our purpose is to provide new and free perspectives that enrich people with inspiration – expanding the opportunity for the artists to present their works, by introducing experimental and avant-garde art. We aim for both creators and viewers to mutually share their feedback with each other: build the foundation for new art, and rejuvenate the art scene by featuring innovative artists with clear concepts and new visions.

Lostgens’ Contemporary Art Space (Malaysia) Selected

Aisyah Binti Baharuddin

CEMAR (POLLUTE) / 2018

Co- founder of TIGA, (Tindakan Gerak Asuh). T.I.G.A actively participating, facilitating and organizing a local and international project through Workshops, Carnival and Festival. Recently running a project space called ‘Pusat Sekitar Seni’ since 2012, empowering youth by organizing program in building up community, arts and environments. Organized a few projects; #PJSAF ‘Street Art Festival Padang Jawa 2013, ‘Population; in or out’ art exchange project 2014, Malaysia & Indonesia and PEACE PROJECT 2015/2016 JB. Seriously supports collaborative work, collectivism and activism.

Goh Lee Kwang

What is Taboo? / 2018

Goh Lee Kwang is a prolific artist who wears many hats. He is a
sound artist and composer. He also runs the the label Herbal
Records. His own bandcampe page features a staggering 671
releases. He also organizes the Switch On Mini Festival, which brings
together local and international sound artists in the hub of Kuala Lumpur. Goh Lee Kwang states that the medium of Sound as art relies upon the response created in the listener for its existence. Without the receptivity and response from a listener, the sound ceases to exist, does not take up any space. The dedicated listener may perceive new worlds, strange sound textures and maybe even find within themselves new and unusual experiences.