The “Akan Ainu Art Week,” an event that merges traditional Ainu crafts with contemporary art, will be held from November 23 (Saturday) to December 15 (Sunday) at Akan Lake Onsen and Akan Lake Ainu Kotan in Hokkaido.
Set in the stunning natural landscape of Akan Lake, the event will offer a broad view of Ainu traditions and their evolution, including wood carving, embroidery, and ancient dance to honor ancestors and Kamuy (spirits). Additionally, contemporary artists, inspired by the vibrant daily life of the Ainu village of Ainu Kotan, will unveil new works created during their residencies. Various programs will take place at local cultural sites, outdoor spaces, and tourist spots during the event.
Local Ainu craft artists such as Tokiko Sogo, known for her collaborations with BEAMS, metalworking artist Hiroyuki Shimokura, woodcarver Hideo Yanase, who creates works centered around owls, and Pete, a maker and performer of the Sakhalin Ainu traditional string instrument tonkori, will be exhibiting their works. Contemporary artists participating in the residency program curated by Shinjiro Nishino of Gas as Interface include Michika Isozaki, Taichi Kagami, Miina Yamaguchi + Maki Kinoshita, and the American art collective MSHR.
At the Akanko Ainu Kotan, related programs will be held, including performances of traditional Ainu dances, a stage where traditional dance, contemporary dance, and digital art are fused, as well as tours where participants can experience performances of traditional instruments and sample Ainu cuisine. The opening event on Saturday, November 23, at the Ainu Culture Tradition and Creation Center “Onnechise” will feature the screening of a short film, urar suye (ウララ スエ), produced with the Akanko Ainu Kotan as its backdrop.
Akan Ainu Art Week
Event Dates: November 23, 2024 (Saturday) – December 15, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Around Akanko Ainu Kotan, Akanko Onsen, Akanko Town, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
Admission: Free (Some related programs may have a fee)
Organizer: Kushiro City
Planning and Management: Loftwork Inc.
Cooperation: Gas as Interface Inc.
