ART/X/TOYAMA at a Turning Point

an artist-led initiative to broadcast contemporary art from Toyama to Japan and the world. Now marking its 10th milestone edition, this journey of over 30 years since 1993 has evolved into what is known today as ART/X/TOYAMA.

In recent years, the world has collectively faced and navigated the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic. While themes of peace, stability, and security are often championed in the realm of sports, such as the Olympics, they are equally vital to the spheres of culture and the arts. Today, humanity must cooperate across borders and regions to address our shared struggles. Recently, attempts to disrupt the status quo through force, under the pretext of regional stabilization, have sent shockwaves across the globe. The sacrifices resulting from such actions are immeasurably profound.

With the rise of generative AI, the very fabric of human life—extending beyond the social and economic into the realms of culture and art—stands at a critical turning point. Creators and audiences alike now face a landscape fundamentally transformed. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to assert and expand the unique essence of our humanity in ways no machine can replicate. Art remains one of our most powerful means to achieve this. I am confident that ART/X/TOYAMA 2026 will make a significant and lasting contribution to this vital endeavor.