Core Program

Historically, science has sought "objective truth" while the arts have valued "subjective expression," and the two have tended to be discussed in separate contexts. However, the complex challenges of modern society cannot be fully addressed through a single perspective. This research aims to explore the potential of the arts at the root of human endeavor by fostering a dialogue between cultural arts and science, allowing each to learn from the other's thought processes.
Whether an artist is creating or a scientist is researching, there exists a shared "process of oscillating between observation and reflection." Focusing on this cycle, we will create a platform where artists and scientists share their thought processes, attempting to bridge the gap between the two through this back-and-forth movement. Moving beyond conceptual methods like so-called "Art Thinking," we will strive to build a practice-based relationship by bringing the actual site of artistic production into the research environment of the International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS).
Fiscal year 2026 will be a phase for researchers and stakeholders, both within and outside the institute, to experience the "encounter between art and IIAS." It is positioned as a foundation-building year for the launch of a full-scale Artist-in-Residence program and research retreats centered on young researchers in practical art fields from 2027 onwards.

1) Pilot Residency
We will conduct a trial run in preparation for the full-scale international residency scheduled for 2027. An Artist-in-Residence is a framework where artists stay at a location for a set period to create work. Throughout the process, workshops and discussions will be held to deepen dialogue and debate. By creating an environment for daily mutual interaction at IIAS, scientific knowledge can stimulate artistic expression, and artistic sensibility can deepen scientific inquiry. Through this exchange, we expect to see the emergence of perspectives that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
In 2026, we plan to host "Byproducts Store" (Fukusanbutsu Santen), a duo of two artists. "Byproducts Store" is a project that considers the "value and potential of things" by circulating materials through the process of creation.

2) The Interspace ("Awai") between Research and Expression: New Forms of Reporting
We will explore the potential for new forms of communication that incorporate art and expression in research reports and information dissemination. Rather than mere design adjustments or superficial decoration, we will attempt co-creation, conceiving of expression as a way for research and art to stimulate one another. We hope that mutual discoveries will be found in the "interspace" between expression and research on the same theme. Candidates for this co-creation include the IIAS leaflet (March 2026), brochures, Annual Reports, and independent research reports.