Support to the compilation making of the record and English translation of the text related to event opened by NPO Art & Society Research Center "SEA (Socially Engaged Art) Idea Marathon"

JCRI invoked the support of to the compilation making of the record and English translation of the text related to event opened by NPO Art & Society Research Center "SEA (Socially Engaged Art) Idear Marathon".
Socially Engaged Art is a general term of artist’s activities expanded from the early 1990s. It was to relate to the society and is trying to give a change to daily lives of the people. It is a new expression to reform welfare, education, environment, human right, and politics and society through expressions such as art, theater, music and performance. Recently, in Japan, projects using art to invigorate local communities are increasing. However, these activities are becoming to be recognized as art project as a whole, and the projects aimed to revitalization of towns and tourism are the mainstream more than activities trying to relate deeply into solution of the problems of the real society. Adding to it, in Japan, situations which does not have the chance to analyze overseas art projects have continued.
NPO Art & Society Research Center established three projects in order to present Socially Engaged Art of abroad and Japan. To begin with, as an attempt to introduce overseas Socially Engaged Art, Create Time (A NPO which had been producing art activities related to the society in the past 40 years based in New York City) opened “Living as Form (Nomadic Version) current called Socially Engaged Art” as a travelling exhibition of “Living as Form” and introduced 11 projects from abroad using exhibition and image. Secondly, comparing with the example of overseas case which took up social problems actively and change the society, what kind of Socially Engaged is required in Japan and how it should be carried out was questioned. In relation with this movement, an event that invited public offering to the local concrete problem and social problem, present, and discuss, “SEA (Socially Engaged Art) Idea Marathon” has been organized. 14 applicants presented papers, and comment was given after the event, and 2 pairs of projects were selected as second prize. And after the event, record compilation of the presentations and comments was published. Part of the text was translated into English and became an opportunity to introduce Socially Engaged Art in Japan. Details of 14 pairs’ presentations of the “SEA Idea Marathon” shall be looked up in the compilation. ( Please inquire the compilation to NPO Art & Society Research Center.)