Kyoto University and Toppan to Research Industrial Application of Art
Naoko Tosa’s Sound of Ikebana (Spring) on billboards in Times Square, New York
Kyoto University and Toppan Printing (Toppan) (TSE:7911), a global leader in communication, packaging, décor materials, and electronics solutions, have announced the launch of a three-year joint research project targeting innovative creation of social value based on combining art and cutting-edge technologies.
The project will combine Toppan’s expression technologies with media art by internationally renowned Japanese artist and Kyoto University professor Naoko Tosa to enable implementation in various areas of society. Taking inspiration from Japanese culture and aesthetics, the theme of the media art will be Invisible Beauty: Natural Beauty Made Visible by Cutting-edge Technology. Specifically, the collaboration will attempt to create new value from artistic expression based on the use of sophisticated technologies to capture and digitally express the colors and shapes of the physical world. Research will also focus on exploring how the resulting artistic expression can be implemented in diverse settings in society and applied to fields ranging from product creation to urban development to enable new forms of industrial design.
Naoko Tosa (right) with representatives of Kyoto University and Toppan Printing at the press conference to announce the launch of the project.
As part of the research, the project will develop new technologies for value creation by establishing and systemizing effective space design methods based on the use of art. The project team will also conduct 3D modeling of Naoko Tosa's Sound of lkebana, for which high-speed cameras were used to capture fluid moving in response to acoustic pressure, and apply the results to industrial design.
Another aspect of the project will be concerned with human resource development informed by artistic thought. This will involve the establishment of new methods for corporate branding and business development that apply the creative processes of artists, as well as the formulation of art innovation methods for human resource development targeting new value creation.
“Toppan is very excited to work with Kyoto University and Naoko Tosa, a renowned artist and academic.” said Mitsuhiro Nakao, Director & Managing Executive Officer of Toppan’s Information Design business. “Toppan strives to meet the needs of society as a whole for innovation and creation of new value that transcends conventional frameworks. Through this joint research project we aim to achieve that kind of innovation by combining art with advanced expression technologies and making effective use of the resources of both organizations.”
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Wide-Format Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Wide-Format Impressions.
- People:
- Mitsuhiro Nakao
- Naoko Tosa
