
Fiammetta Pennisi
Facing Midosuji, the Champs Elysees of Osaka, the Swissnex Window offers a glimpse into Swiss ingenuity and excellence.
From June 6 to 30, visitors to Swissnex in Japan’s public window space experienced an interactive exhibition featuring 16 pioneering research projects from EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne). Designed to provoke reflection and connection, the Connected Human exhibition explored how technologies such as exoskeletons, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and bioelectronic implants are not only augmenting human capabilities but also enabling repair and reconnection in radically new ways.
On display were research projects from across EPFL’s research ecosystem, including startups and laboratories:
Passersby and guests, ranging from researchers and healthcare professionals to curious locals, were invited to step into this evolving world where human and machine converge.
On June 4, just ahead of the exhibition’s opening, EPFL hosted a half-day event titled “Repair” at the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025. The program brought together Swiss and Japanese researchers and innovators working at the intersection of neuroscience, rehabilitation, and wearable technology.
Prof. Stéphanie Lacour (EPFL) presented on soft implants for hearing restoration via the brainstem, Prof. Olaf Blanke (EPFL) on neurotechnology and body perception, Prof. Mohamed Bouri (EPFL) on the design and ethics of assistive robotics, and Prof. Tsuyoshi Sekitani (Osaka University) on ultra-flexible brain–machine interfaces. The session concluded with a guided tour of the Swiss Pavilion and a networking session designed to spark new collaborations between Swiss and Japanese institutions.
Bio
Located in Switzerland, EPFL is Europe’s most cosmopolitan technical university. It welcomes students, professors and collaborators of more than 120 nationalities. EPFL has both a Swiss and international vocation and focuses on three missions: teaching, research and innovation.
EPFL collaborates with an important network of partners, including other universities and colleges, secondary schools and gymnasiums, industry and the economy, political circles and the general public, with the aim of having a real impact on society.
Swissnex in Japan presents Beyond Gravity, a captivating installation by Swiss artist Andrea Giuseppe Corciulo. The artist intertwines scientific themes such as botany, gravity, and geology with artistic intuition and reflection. His works invite viewers to engage with perception, memory, and imagination—an invitation to think beyond the visible.
From May 13 to June 3, Swissnex Window #6 brought together voices from Japan and Switzerland to explore how tradition and technology can intersect. Through an exhibition and a special event at the Swiss Pavilion, the project highlighted new ways of connecting cultural heritage with digital innovation.
From April 10 to May 6, the Synthetic Interactions exhibition brought together audacious projects by Master’s students in Interaction Design at SUPSI, UNSTATED and Curling Computer Club. The exhibition featured interactive and robotic installations exploring how synthetic intelligences shape human experience. Highlights included algorithmic systems, multimodal interfaces, engaging Kansai’s creative tech community and beyond, the exhibition sparked vibrant exchange around design, AI, and interactivity.
Swissnex in Japan, in collaboration with ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, successfully hosted Swissnex Window #4: Folklore Fusion, a groundbreaking exhibition that explored Swiss and Japanese folklore through digital artistry. Running from March 11 to April 3, 2025 in Osaka, the exhibition captivated visitors with its unique blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing folklore through cutting-edge CGI characters.
The SAY Swiss Architecture Yearbook exhibition, presented as part of Swissnex Window #3, has concluded its run in Japan, marking a significant chapter in the celebration of Swiss architectural innovation and sustainability. This exhibition, launched in 2023, highlighted 36 remarkable architectural projects selected from 129 nominations, offering a platform for international dialogue on topics such as sustainable construction, urban innovation, and excellence in Swiss architectural design.
From December 9, 2024, to January 10, 2025, the second Swissnex Window exhibition offered visitors a profound exploration of algae's potential in addressing global challenges and reshaping human-environment relationships. Spotlighting the intersection of art, science, and sustainability, it featured cutting-edge work and a workshop by Swiss artist Maya Minder in downtown Osaka.
Swissnex in Japan successfully launched its new Swissnex Window series with the exhibition "Design with Wood" from October 25 to November 22, 2024, at the Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka. This inaugural showcase highlighted the innovative work of five emerging Swiss designers—Fabien Roy, Amandine Gini, Victor Moynier, Ramona Hess, and Salomon Elsler—who transform discarded or overlooked wood into striking examples of sustainable design.
Fiammetta Pennisi