Fiammetta Pennisi
Head of Art-Science
Art-Science
We liaise with artists, designers, architects, curators, and other arts professionals and institutions working at the interface where the arts meet education, research, and innovation. We help them to expand their reach and encourage exchange on how science and technology influence the arts.
Taking a personalized, tailored approach, we connect partners with local cultural institutions, professionals, academic institutions, and the private sector to help initiate and develop projects between Switzerland and Japan.
Events
Since 2022, Swissnex in Japan has held talk events providing a platform for Swiss spotlight scientists, startups, artists, and designers to present their projects and connect with the local community in Japan. The nexCafé series offers a casual setting where speakers can present their work and engage with the attendees during a Q&A session.
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nexCafé #13: Engineering Heritage
March 9, 2026Join us online on March 9 for nexCafé #13, “Engineering Heritage: Seismic Risk and Resilient Architecture in Japan, Switzerland, and Italy,” a special talk dedicated to seismic risk and resilient architecture in Japan, Switzerland, and Italy.
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nexCafé #12: Global Fashion Business
February 9, 2026Join us on February 9 for nexCafé #12, a dedicated session exploring Europe–Japan business and cultural exchanges in the global fashion industry.
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nexCafé #11: Robots, AI, and Sustainable Construction
February 10, 2025Society's expectations on our construction industries are at a turning point. The growing global population, rapid urbanization, and an aging workforce are all challenges against the increasing need for sustainable, safe, and cost-efficient building.
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nexCafé #10: Global Science Film Festival
November 11, 2024As part of the 6th Global Science Film Festival, the 10th nexCafé, “AI as a Friend: Does a Chatbot Relationship Really Work?” delved into the intriguing question of whether an AI chatbot could serve as a roommate, a friend, or even a romantic partner.
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nexCafé #9: Playing at Being Human
October 18, 2024Playing at Being Human is an artistic-philosophical experiment that explores the crisis of anthropocentrism by rethinking the relationship between humans and non-humans, both living and technical. Swissnex in Japan hosted an event that delved into the boundaries between humanity, technology, and the natural world. The program featured two video artworks that served as a catalyst for deep discussion on anthropocentrism and human identity.
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nexCafé #8: Tinguely Entangled
June 14, 2024Art-science talk on “Tinguely Entangled,” a visionary performance designed by Swiss pianist Lukas Loss, in collaboration with scientist Dr. Henry Legg, brought an immersive journey into the heart of quantum physics with artistry and groundbreaking scientific insights.
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nexCafé #7: ArtTech x Swissnex Conversation
March 7, 2024Five exceptional presenters provided captivating insights into XR and gaming at our event, "Japan’s Startup Ecosystem in the XR and Gaming Industry," co-organized with our esteemed partner Nathalie Pichard from the ArtTech Foundation.
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nexCafé #6: Material Meetup Kyoto – Master craftsmen making word-class products from natural materials
November 16, 2023We invited six exceptional presenters who shared captivating insights into the immense value of modern-age natural materials, meticulously crafted by “Takumi” (master craftsmen) at the pinnacle of their art.
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nexCafé #5: Voicing Marshlands – Rereading the potential of an undervalued ecosystem
June 9, 2023Artist and composer Rahel Kraft presented her sonic works of the marshes in Taiki, Hokkaido. Co-organized with the Memu Earth Lab, we invited Professor Toshiya Okuro, a landscape ecology conservation and restoration specialist from The University of Tokyo.
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nexCafé #4: Global Science Film Festival in Japan
March 31, 2023The 5th Global Science Film Festival by the Swiss Science Film Academy has been a great success. Themed "Reconnecting Science and Society," it featured the screening of two outstanding Swiss animations and a compelling Swiss documentary about glaciers.
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nexCafé #3: Material Meetup Kyoto
February 15, 2023Co-organized with FabCafe, we invited NaturLoop, a Swiss-based materials science startup, and PEEL Lab, a B2B green tech for plant-based leather products, to talk about ethical materials and the usage of sustainable materials in architecture.
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nexCafé #2: The Role of Science and Technology in Art and Humanities
November 16, 2022A panel discussion featuring a musician, an artist, and a scientist explored the relationships between sound, consciousness, perception, memory, and the body, while also presenting insights into interdisciplinary art and science projects.
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nexCafé #1: Sonic Agency – Understanding the city through sound practices
September 8, 2022A performative event explored how the DATA that flows through the networks impacts the CITY soundscapes and how AI and machine learning affect the precision of what we hear through digital platforms, potentially transforming the next level of human creativity.
Exhibitions
Learn moreThe Swissnex Window, a captivating exhibition space spanning 60 to 160 square meters, is strategically positioned facing Midosuji, known as the Champs Elysees of Osaka, attracting an impressive 10,000 passersby per day. This prime location offers unparalleled visibility for creative content and innovative ideas.
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Swissnex Window #13: From Heidi to High-Tech
April 8, 2026 — April 24, 2026In the wake of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Switzerland’s innovation story continues. This exhibition brings together ten pioneering Swiss startups shaping tomorrow’s industries. Explore a vivid showcase where breakthrough ideas meet real-world impact. The exhibition also highlights the broader Swiss innovation ecosystem, from emerging talents to globally recognized unicorns.
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Imagining Planetary Diplomacy: An Encounter with the More-Than-Human
April 8, 2026Swissnex in Japan presented Swissnex Window #12: Imagining Planetary Diplomacy, an exhibition developed as part of the Planetary Embassy, a Swiss initiative at the intersection of art, science, and diplomacy, rethinking relationships between humans and the more-than-human world.
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Back in the Future / Forward in the Future: Exploring Speculative Worlds through Art and Imagination
October 29, 2025Swissnex in Japan concluded Swissnex Window #11: Back in the Future / Forward in the Future, a thought-provoking exhibition developed in collaboration with Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD – Genève).
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Converging Waters: Art, Science, and the Fragile Balance of Our Planet
September 26, 2025From September 8 to 26, Swissnex Window #10 brought together artists from Japan and Switzerland to reflect on water in its many forms. Through an exhibition, a conference, and a master class, the project explored water, technology, and the fragile balance of our planet. Their works invited us to reflect on our position within a world in transformation.
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Beyond Gravity: A Poetic Dialogue Across Disciplines
August 27, 2025Swissnex in Japan is excited to unveil Beyond Gravity, a striking new installation by Swiss artist Andrea Giuseppe Corciulo. The artwork was officially unveiled during the opening event on July 30th as part of the Swissnex Window series, creating a poetic dialogue between art, science, and nature.
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Exploring the Cosmos: Swiss and Japanese Institutions at the Forefront
September 19, 2025From August 13th to 29th, Swissnex in Japan presented Swissnex Window #9: Swiss Horizons Beyond Earth, an interplanetary journey through four pioneering space missions where Switzerland and Japan play a leading scientific role.
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Connected Human: Swiss Research Connecting Bodies, Minds, and Machines
July 24, 2025Throughout June 2025, Swissnex in Japan presented the Swissnex Window #7: Connected Human exhibition, offering a glimpse into how cutting-edge technologies from Switzerland are reshaping what it means to be human: physically, mentally, and socially.
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Reimagining Traditional Crafts with Cutting-Edge Technology
June 10, 2025From 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.
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Synthetic Interactions: Rethinking Design Through AI and Robotics
May 7, 2025From 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.
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A Swiss-Japanese Dialogue Through Computer-Generated Imagery
April 4, 2025Swissnex 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.
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A Successful Showcase of Swiss Architectural Excellence in Japan
February 25, 2025The 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.
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Algae’s Transformative Potential in Art, Food, and Sustainability
January 28, 2025From 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.
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Design with Wood: Swiss Innovation Meets Sustainability in Japan
November 28, 2024Swissnex 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.
Study trips
Are you interested in exploring Japan's vibrant contemporary art scene, renowned for its innovation and imagination? Immerse yourself in the latest art-science projects through a study trip.
We regularly host teachers and students from Swiss universities, arranging visits to local cultural and academic institutions, professionals, and private-sector partners to facilitate meaningful exchanges.
If you are interested in receiving support from us and leveraging our extensive network in Japan, we would love to hear from you.
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Swiss-Japan Folklore Fusion: An Enriching Journey for ECAL Students in Tokyo
December 20, 2023In an inspiring blend of Swiss precision and Japanese creativity, 14 students and four teachers from the ECAL Bachelor Media & Interaction Design Course recently embarked on a fascinating study trip to Japan. This journey provided an incredible opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of Swiss and Japanese folklore through the lens of modern media and interaction design.
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An Unforgettable Journey: Zurich University of the Arts Study Trip to Japan
July 17, 2024Embark with us on an inspiring journey as we share the highlights of an exceptional study trip undertaken by the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) to Japan. This adventure was orchestrated by Swissnex in Japan, which had the pleasure of welcoming 14 students and four teachers from the CAS Design Cultures of the MAS Strategic Design program at ZHdK.
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