Tokyo | Where do we go from here? | new Asian art centres exhibition

On the Agenda of the Arts series, hosted by Tokyo Wonder Site, has invited young artists from Asia and Japan to work with some of Asia's best master artists to address issues for the future through research and dialogue in an exhibition on cultural diversity and the activities of new art centres. On the Agenda of the Arts "Where do we go from here?" - Cultural Diversity and the Activities of New Art Centers "On the Agenda of the Arts" is an ongoing series hosted by Tokyo Wonder Site (TWS) that began with a symposium in 2007. TWS has invited curators and artists from around the world to share their views on art and creative activity in a multicultural society through exhibitions, lectures, and round-table discussions on topics such as "cultural diversity", "the activities of new arts centers", and the "new commons." This year, young artists from Japan and Asia, working with some of Asia's best master artists, work together to address issues for the future through research and dialogue as they seek to open up new horizons for art. * * * * Even before 3/11, as the curtain rose on the 21st century with 9/11 in New York, and then a decade later as the Jasmine Revolution sparked popular revolutions across the Middle East, the world has struggled to find a new framework for this new century. Today the unprecedented earthquake and ensuing disaster has brought us to a point where we must re-examine our way of life and the ways of our world. Roughly half a year since 3/11, we remain unable to see a clear path before us. It is as if we repeatedly ask ourselves, day after day, "Where in the world do we stand now?" and "Where do we go from here?" These questions are not new, but we think now is the time to again explore them in depth together with artists who have long given thought to such issues. Part of the TWS Artist-in-Residence program, this project is composed of four elements:(1) Exhibitions(2) Educational programs(3) Creative production(4) ForumThe project attempts to shine a light on the dual significance of a residency: as an opportunity for inward-directed creativity and a creative space for dialogue with others. In our contemporary society where information travels in an instant, we hope we can once again consider the meaning of "a space where art is born" and the importance of a creative process grounded in ongoing dialogue. The following ten artists take part in the program: ■ Master Artists Internationally active Asian artists will guide young artists by conducting workshops, giving talks, and providing mentoring while engaged in research and production during residencies in Tokyo. Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries (Korea/U.S.A.), Dinh Q. Lê (Vietnam), Wit Pimkanchanapong (Thailand), Tomoko Yoneda (Japan). ■ Young Asian Artists Young artists representing Asia's next generation, after working together with young Japanese artists during residencies in Tokyo, will produce work in their own countries to be shown at Exhibition II. Trân Minh Dúc (Vietnam), Khvay Samnang (Cambodia), Krissakorn Thinthupthai (Thailand), Masaru Iwai (Japan), Meiro Koizumi (Japan), Yuichiro Tamura (Japan) Organisers：Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Wonder Site Partner Institution: san art (Viet Nam), Sa Sa Art Gallery (Cambodia) Cooperation: SHUGOARTS (Japan) Image: 'Fruits' installation by Wit Pimkanchanapong (Thailand)