Ukawa, Naohiro

Birthplace: Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

Being as a multimedia artist, graphic designer, VJ, writer, and former professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design (currently known as Kyoto University of the Arts), a variety of artistic pathways Ukawa has followed signify the "Genzai (Just Now) artist" with omnidirectional practices in response to contemporaneity. With the blurring of the existing platforms of the fine arts and mass culture, his creations are known for their unorthodox and unrestricted approach. In March 2010, shortly after his stint with a designed dance floor/workplace "Mixcrooffice" received a reputation as the sanctuary in the international music scene, he suddenly launched a live streaming studio and channel "DOMMUNE" which immediately drew attention in many places with a record-setting number of viewers. In celebration of the 10th anniversary in 2020, he renamed it "S/U/P/E/R DOMMUNE" to accelerate its innovation.

Previously, he took roles as a jury in the Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Japan from 2013 to 2015 and Digital Musics & Sound Art, Ars Electronica in Austria in 2015. The same year when his hometown hosted Takamatsu Media Art Festival, he was appointed and committed to triple duties as a general director, curator, and jury chair. The unconventional concept-making for the festival driven by his distinguished esthetic has sent shudders to the scene. During the 2016 edition of Ars Electronica, he installed a 500-meter long collateral satellite studio at Train Hall, one of the venues in Linz for the live streaming programs that went viral around the world.

(Source: ANOMALY)

Twitter: @DOMMUNE