Biography of MUTO ISAMU
Educational Background
- 1974: Born in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
- 1993-1997: Studied in the Experimental Design Course at Nagoya University of Arts.
- 1997-1998: Completed the Artist Course at CCA Kitakyushu Research Program.
- 2008-2010: Earned a Master's degree in Studio 1 (Interactive Media Major) from IAMAS (Information Science Arts Graduate University).
Selected Exhibitions
- 2009: "World Sukiyaki Tour" and "Relay Portraits" at the Chongqing International Workshop in Chongqing, China.
- 2012: "Automatic Prostration Coffee" at the '2014 Agency for Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival in Aichi', Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park.
- 2018-2019: "State of Emergency" at 'Borderless 2018/Laundry' at Art Lab Aichi, Aichi.
- 2019-2020: "Automatic Prostration Coffee" and "State of Emergency" at BankART's 'Conscious Machines again', gaining media attention.
- October 1-19, 2021: 'Food and Contemporary Art vol.8: Art, Food, and the City' at BankART, Yokohama, presenting "Shout Love at the Popcorn".
- 2021: Artistic Director for 'Ark of the City Exhibition' at the former Boston Museum.
- November-December 2023: "Smart Popcorn Version 2" at 'Food and Contemporary Art vol.9: Art, Food, and the City'.
Art Direction and Related Activities
- Dec 1998: Established 'N-mark' in Kasugai City, Aichi, as a hub for global art communication.
- 1999: Participated in 'artport '99-given', an experimental art project using Nagoya Port warehouses.
- 2001: Developed '@port', a project to spread the art culture of Nagoya Port to the region.
- 2003: Organized 'Meeting Caravan' across art spaces from Hokkaido to Okinawa and executed the nationwide art project 'Cafe Line'.
- 2004-2005: Committee member of the Asahi Art Festival and Network Committee, implementing 'Cafe Line' national art tour.
- 2005: Founded Art Autonomy Network (AAN) to collect art archives and build networks.
- 2006: Organized the Executive Committee for Yokohama Art Initiative City.
- 2009: Planned and managed 'Meiko Museum Town' in Nagoya Port.
- 2010: Office management for Aichi Triennale Supporters Club; proposed utilization of vacant buildings for Art Lab Aichi operation and direction.
- 2012-Present: Planning and management of Chojamachi Transit and Cotton Buildings.
- 2014: Directed the 'Kuchu Museum', a large-scale participatory art exhibition at Nagoya TV Tower, involving 39 artists and 18 projects.
- 2014-2018: Executed 'Nakagawa Canal Rimcolline Art Project' and 'ARToC10' program for Nagoya Machizukuri Public Corporation.
- 2021: Artistic Director for 'Ark of the City Exhibition' at the former Boston Museum.
- 2023: Artistic Director for 'Totonou Onsen Art Museum' in Gamagori City, a festival involving five ryokan hotels.