Reimagining Traditional Crafts with Cutting-Edge Technology

When

Location

Event type

Upcoming
November
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Program

  • 5:00pm – Welcome by Swissnex
  • 5:05pm – Intro: Sophie Grossmann (online), Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
  • 5:15pm – Presentation: Video artwork Mirage by Takafumi Matsunaga
  • 5:30pm – Panel Discussion: Yoichi Ochiai × Takafumi Matsunaga (Moderator: Hideki Yoshimoto)
  • 6:00pm – Q&A Session
  • 6:15pm – Guided Tour of the Swiss Pavilion
  • 6:40pm – Networking Reception
  • 8:00pm – End of the event

Event start time

Speakers

Background

Japan has a deep and celebrated history of craftsmanship, from intricate woodwork and textiles to the art of katagami stencil-making. However, these traditional crafts face a dual crisis: an aging population of craftspeople and a declining interest among younger generations. As a result, many artisanal techniques risk fading into obscurity.

In response to this challenge, initiatives such as Craft x Tech have emerged. These initiatives aim to leverage the latest technological advancements to not only preserve these crafts but also reimagine them for the modern era. By integrating traditional practices with contemporary design and technology, Craft x Tech demonstrates how innovation can breathe new life into tradition while engaging future generations.

Featured Speaker: Yoichi Ochiai

At the forefront of this movement is Yoichi Ochiai, a renowned media artist, academic, and director of the Digital Nature Laboratory at the University of Tsukuba. Ochiai’s groundbreaking work focuses on the intersection of art, science, and technology, reinterpreting nature and tradition through a digital lens.

Through his artworks, Ochiai has redefined the possibilities of craftsmanship by blending traditional materials and methods with futuristic approaches such as 3D printing, computational design, and augmented reality. His projects often reflect a deep respect for cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of innovation.

During the event, Ochiai will share insights into his creative process and present some of his seminal works that explore the fusion of traditional crafts with advanced technologies. His perspective will provide valuable commentary on how art and science can collaborate to reinterpret and sustain heritage crafts.

Highlight: The Katagami Reimagined

A focal point of the event will be the reinterpretation of historical katagami—traditional Japanese paper stencils used for dyeing textiles—drawn from the collection of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. These stencils represent an enduring link between Japan and Switzerland, showcasing the rich cultural exchange between the two nations.

Japanese video artist Takafumi Matsunaga has transformed these historical artifacts into a stunning CGI-generated short film titled Mirage. This film bridges the gap between past and future by reimagining katagami motifs through the lens of digital storytelling. The intricate patterns of the stencils come to life in a mesmerizing visual narrative, illustrating how traditional crafts can inspire contemporary art and design.

Ochiai will provide expert commentary on Matsunaga’s work, offering insights into how historical artifacts like katagami can inform and inspire innovation in the digital age.

Organizers

  • Swissnex
  • Museum für Gestaltung Zürich

With the support of

  • Presence Switzerland
  • Swiss Pavilion