Exhibited in the special exhibition “Alternative Computations — Worlds Otherwise Calculated” at the Quantum Art Festival (Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026). The installation was experienced by more than 4,500 visitors over four days.
The full movie is available via the link in my bio.
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Alternative Computations, 2026
The universe computes. Life is computation. Mathematics is the language of this understanding. Change the language, the universe changes — the way of seeing changes. Sometimes, those in power choose which way of seeing prevails. What falls outside that choice is named error — and vanishes.
Japan once possessed a distinctive mathematics — wasan. Calculation practised as beauty, play, and offering to shrines: festive knowledge comparable to haiku and the tea ceremony. In the late nineteenth century, the Meiji government introduced Western mathematics in pursuit of national strength. Wasan was expelled. The cosmos its culture alone could see was closed.
At the destination Western mathematics has since reached stands quantum computing — yet its development is governed by utility and optimisation. Quantum noise is expelled as error. But quantum noise interferes, entangles, carries the past. There is another cosmos. This work recaptures it through the play and festivity of wasan.
The Alternative Computations series sculpts the cosmologies of lost vernacular mathematics. Built from quantum noise discarded by mainstream computing, this automated instrument takes sky, earth, and human as its three-layer structure. Twenty-eight sangi orbit overhead as the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions. A tatami floor defines the sacred threshold. More than four thousand reeds fill the space. The dancer’s movements, the tea master’s gestures, audience presence, and meteorological data are thrown into a quantum computer embedded in the ceiling’s sangi mechanism. High-dimensional dynamics set the sangi’s orbits and descend as rain sound. Mechanical creaking holds the weight of matter, anchoring experience between dream and waking. Thunder, wind, insects, cranes and frogs — a 28-minute sound collage. Each cycle ends a universe; another begins.
Hiroya Tanaka Lab + METACITY, Bio Sculpture, 2021
soil injection type 3D printer capable of 30m extension “NIWA”, 3D-printed soil (mixed with red clay, black clay, akadama, and rice husks), aluminum boards, sensors
dimentions variable
Kitakyushu Art Festival "Art for SDGs”
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Bio Sculpture is an art project by the Hiroya Tanaka Lab at Keio University SFC and METACITY, exploring the theme of "Technology for Multi-species" in the Anthropocene. By opening the scientific and technological advancements developed by humanity to natural ecosystems, this project seeks to explore potential forms of technology and unlock the latent potential of natural environments.
It presents sculptural works directed towards the natural environment, using materials that can be considered seeds of ecosystems. In the midst of a metropolis where the importance and difficulty of creating nature is often overlooked, the project encourages people to observe nature from a macroscopic perspective.
This project marks the first time a Japanese group has won the Social Impact Award in the Art Division at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival.
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《Bio Sculpture》は、人新世における「Technology for Multi-species」の探求をテーマとする慶応義塾大学SFC田中浩也研究室とMETACITYによるアートプロジェクトである。人類が発展させてきた科学技術を自然生態系へと開くことで、技術のありえる形を探求し、自然環境の潜在力を引き出すことを試みる。生態系の種ともいえる素材を用いた自然環境に向けた彫刻作品を発表し、自然の重要性とそれを作り出す難しさを見失いがちな大都市の中で、人々に巨視的な視点で自然を見守ることを促す。第25回メディア芸術祭アート部門ソーシャルインパクト賞を日本人グループとして初受賞。
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#contemporaryart #mediaart #mediaarts #newmediaart #ryutaaoki #METACITY #BioSculpture #JapanMediaArtsFestival #TechnologyForMultiSpecies #Anthropocene #Pyrocene #sculpture #SocialSculpture #現代アート #メディアアート #メディア芸術祭 #青木竜太 #メ芸 #人新世 #火新世 #パイロセン #彫刻 #社会彫刻
Hiroya Tanaka Lab + METACITY, Bio Sculpture (Scene of a Future Portable Lab), 2021
3D-printed soil (mixed with red clay, black clay, akadama, and rice husks), tent, sensors
80(D) x 80 (W) x 150(H) cm
Exhibition: “Jack into the Noösphere” of Chiba City Festival of Arts
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“Bio Sculpture” is an art project by the Hiroya Tanaka Lab at Keio University SFC and METACITY, exploring the theme of "Technology for Multi-species" in the Anthropocene. By opening the scientific and technological advancements developed by humanity to natural ecosystems, this project seeks to explore potential forms of technology and unlock the latent potential of natural environments.
It presents sculptural works directed towards the natural environment, using materials that can be considered seeds of ecosystems. In the midst of a metropolis where the importance and difficulty of creating nature is often overlooked, the project encourages people to observe nature from a macroscopic perspective.
The installation was created during the COVID-19 pandemic for the "Jack-in to the Noosphere" exhibition held at night in a Japanese garden, as part of Chiba City's first art festival, "Chiba City Festival of Arts." It portrays the development of technologies to purify air in a future where microplastic pollution has progressed to the extent that wearing masks has become essential in daily life.
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《Bio Sculpture》は、人新世における「Technology for Multi-species」の探求をテーマとする慶応義塾大学SFC田中浩也研究室とMETACITYによるアートプロジェクトである。人類が発展させてきた科学技術を自然生態系へと開くことで、技術のありえる形を探求し、自然環境の潜在力を引き出すことを試みる。生態系の種ともいえる素材を用いた自然環境に向けた彫刻作品を発表し、自然の重要性とそれを作り出す難しさを見失いがちな大都市の中で、人々に巨視的な視点で自然を見守ることを促す。
本インスタレーション作品は、千葉市初の芸術祭「千の葉の芸術祭」の一環で、夜の日本庭園で開催された「生態系へのジャックイン展」に向け、コロナ禍中に制作された。マイクロプラスチックによる大気汚染が進み、普段の生活においてもマスク装着が必須になるつつある未来で、空気を浄化する技術を開発している様子を表現している。
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#contemporaryart #mediaart #mediaarts #newmediaart #ryutaaoki #METACITY #BioSculpture #JapanMediaArtsFestival #TechnologyForMultiSpecies #Anthropocene #Pyrocene #sculpture #SocialSculpture #現代アート #メディアアート #メディア芸術祭 #青木竜太 #メ芸 #人新世 #火新世 #パイロセン #彫刻 #社会彫刻
A new article by Wakana Kaitani on Japan’s political landscape and cultural policy is now live on The Art Journal @theartjournal_magazine , the latest media platform from the venerable 75-year-old British publication ArtReview.
@ryuta_aoki_ was invited to contribute via an email interview, and some of his comments have been featured in the article. We invite you to explore how Japan’s current situation is being discussed from a global media perspective.
🔗 After a Landslide Victory, Will Sanae Takaichi’s Election Reshape Japan’s Artworld? /articles/after-landslide-election-sanae-takaichi-victory-reshape-japan-art-world
The official catalog for ACT Festival 2025 "Neuroverse: Sailing Through The Sentient Universe," featuring a contributed essay by @ryuta_aoki_ , is now available.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, ACT Festival is organized by the Asia Culture Center (ACC) @asianculturecenter — an international arts institution where the cultural arts of Asia's past and present converge with innovative ideas to generate future-oriented outcomes.
Ryuta served on the evaluation jury and contributed the essay "The Horizon of the Neuroverse: Reweaving the Structure of Perception." The full text is available at the end of the catalog.
📝 "The Horizon of the Neuroverse: Reweaving the Structure of Perception"
🔗 /file/d/1N05B4YPgEnrPEjOdqmmwkiZ7P41rT0qI/view
*Available for download via the website.
A two-part review of the special exhibition of @ryuta_aoki_ ’s solo exhibition “Alternative Computations — Worlds Otherwise Calculated” is now live on “artscape,” a leading art information platform at the forefront of contemporary art criticism in Japan, highly regarded by industry experts since 1995.
The critique is penned by Shin Aoyama, the editor-in-chief of 〈anon press〉 and a writer/designer whose work spans science fiction and future-oriented design.
Across these deep-dive essays, Aoyama analyzes how Ryuta’s practice—rooted in Wasan mathematics and quantum computing—deconstructs modern concepts of “computation” to envision a new, festive cultural landscape.
🔗 Part 1: https://artscape.jp/article/63297/
🔗 Part 2: https://artscape.jp/article/63317/
During Art Basel Hong Kong week, @ryuta_aoki_ spoke at the "Artificial Flavor" talk series organized by Society Art Technology Asia (SATA) @sata_info .
Founded by @foreseen_agency , (@flyingpig.shan & @kachi_chan ), SATA functions as a platform for the transfer, preservation, and activation of knowledge across Asia—much like the SATA standard in computing. In this session, Ryuta joined Hong Kong artist @sqlai and moderator @manling_lily to discuss the theme "Post Ecosystem: Anthropogenic Interference."
Ryuta introduced his project "Alternative Computations," which explores Wasan mathematics through quantum computing, and his bio-sculptures made from 3D-printed soil. By bridging digital data and cultural knowledge, the discussion aligned with SATA’s mission to keep creativity and innovation dynamic and impactful.
📍 101080 HHH, Hong Kong
🗓 March 28, 2026
🔗 /events/artificial-flavor-panel-talk-5/
A Japanese TV program "Conbiz! Content x Business Information Bureau" featured a dedicated segment on the activities of @ryuta_aoki_ .
The program captures the cutting edge of Japan's content culture and business landscape. This episode covered a wide range of creative-industry intersections — including an innovative collaboration between @anrealage_official and Chifure — with Ryuta's practice selected as the inaugural focus of the program's newly expanded coverage of media art, for which a long-term documentary has been in production since the summer of 2025.
Highlighting his first solo exhibition "Alternative Computations," the broadcast presented the behind-the-scenes of his pursuit of "alternative computational cultures" alongside Professor Naoki Yamamoto of @keio_university , dancer @keika_misho , and tea master @ryotaro_souryou_matsumura .
Additional scenes featured the cross-border program "STACK TOKYO" with Thai audiovisual collective @stack_xyz , discussions with @fujiwara_dai (General Director, Quantum Art Festival) at Expo 2025 Osaka, a dialogue with @masakoshiba at the international ALIFE research conference, and appearances by @alltbl among others — tracing a multifaceted practice envisioning "alternative worlds" from the intersection of art and science, both in Japan and abroad.
🗓 March 17, 2026 (Tue)
🔗 https://youtu.be/OE60myl1aqA
*Full episode available on the program's official YouTube channel.
@ryuta_aoki_ spoke at EDCON 2025 (Community Ethereum Development Conference) @EDCON2025 held in Osaka.
In the session titled "Human in the Loop," Ryuta joined @vivianxwj@jia.bao.li@soundspade@3en3end@masakoshiba and @realitydeslab to discuss the evolving relationship between humans and technology in the age of AI.
Ethereum is increasingly recognized as a decentralized platform for reconstructing art and social systems. Serving as the annual gathering for this ecosystem, EDCON 2025 provided a forum to critically re-examine the "role of humanity" beyond decentralization.
📍 Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka
🗓 September 16, 2025
🔗 https://www.edcon.io/en/agenda
@ryuta_aoki_ served as an ambassador for "SEEEU 2025 - Europe Photo Month Tokyo @seeeu_jp ," the first European Photography Month in Japan, supported by the European Union and the Arts Council Tokyo. Fellow ambassadors included Eisuke Tachikawa of NOSIGNER @nosigner_design and avi/ audible museum @mimibi_art301 .
Organized by KOI Nippon, a Lithuanian cultural NPO bridging East Asia and the Baltic States, the festival brought works by European photographers beyond gallery walls — into construction sites, cafes, and public spaces — reconstructing the city itself as a space for unexpected encounters with art.
🗓Oct 23 – Nov 23, 2025
🔗seeeu.jp
@ryuta_aoki_ spoke at ALIFE 2025 @alife2025 , the premier international conference for Artificial Life research held in Kyoto.
The ALIFE conferences, since the first meeting in Los Alamos in 1987, have grown into a leading international conference in the field, bringing together researchers, artists, and engineers from around the world. It continues to explore the fundamental question: “What is life?”
As part of the "ALife 2025 Art Program" curated by @masakoshiba (Co-founder of BEAF Foundation @beaf.art ), Ryuta engaged in a live conversation with Masako Shiba.
The dialogue reflected on Ryuta’s tenure as a director for the inaugural integrated "ALIFE 2018" and his role as co-founder of Alternative Machine @alter_machine_ . The dialogue explored his cross-disciplinary activities in art and science within his ongoing projects, fostering a multi-layered discussion on the future of life.
📍 Kyoto Sangyo Kaikan Auditorium
🗓 October 8, 2025
🔗 /art
