#Japan #Tokyo #DIG SHIBUYA #NEORT #SCREENS CONTEXTUALIZED

The Digital Art Festival 'DIG SHIBUYA 2026'

The highly-anticipated digital art festival, DIG SHIBUYA 2026, co-hosted by the Shibuya Ward, is gearing up to create a dynamic fusion of technology and art from February 13 to 15, 2026. This ambitious event, orchestrated by NEORT Inc., led by CEO Toshiaki Takase, promises to transform Shibuya into a vibrant canvas for unprecedented digital artistic expressions.

Embracing Urban Art

At the core of this year's festival is the program titled 'SCREENS CONTEXTUALIZED,' which aims to leverage the diverse digital signage across Shibuya. In total, over 50 screens scattered throughout ten prime locations, including MIYASHITA PARK, Shibuya PARCO, and SEIBU Shibuya Department Store, will serve as a platform for showcasing contemporary digital art. This visionary initiative seeks to redefine public spaces, turning the hustle and bustle of Shibuya into an expansive gallery of creativity.

Innovating Public Art

The project intends to uplift the cultural landscape by allowing around 50 artists to exhibit their digital works, emphasizing innovative expressions that resonate with the unique characteristics of each installation site. Artists will be encouraged to produce site-specific pieces that transcend mere commercial messaging, creating a lasting public art experience. Following the festival, these digital artworks will be preserved as public art, continuously enriching the community.

Building a Cultural Archive

Moreover, a significant focus of SCREENS CONTEXTUALIZED is to establish a cultural repository through collaborative efforts. By innovating the use of digital signage as a medium for cultural accumulation, the project aims to archive the exhibited works and research outcomes on a dedicated website. This collaborative archive will serve as a new layer of Shibuya's cultural identity, preserving the narrative of art and technology within the urban fabric.

Unearthing Stories of Signage

Another thrilling component is the initiative to unearth the stories behind the digital signage. Interviews with creators, historical context, and the artists’ inspirations will be meticulously documented and shared, enriching the audiences' understanding of the evolving narratives within Shibuya's urban landscape.

Call for Artists

One of the most exciting aspects of DIG SHIBUYA 2026 is the public call for artists aimed at bringing fresh insights into urban settings. The open call, titled 'Weather Writes — The Poetic Phenomenon of Weather,' invites artists from around the globe to submit works that capture the relationship between nature's ever-changing elements and urban life. This unique opportunity seeks to merge poetry with digital representation, allowing artists to explore and express weather phenomena creatively.

The selected pieces will not only be showcased during DIG SHIBUYA but also featured regularly at MIYASHITA PARK as permanent public artworks.

Event Logistics

• - Dates: February 13-15, 2026
• - Location: Surrounding areas of Shibuya Park
• - Admission: Free (Note: Some programs may have fees)
• - Organizers: SHIBUYA CREATIVE TECH Committee, Japan Arts Council, and Shibuya Ward

As Shibuya embraces this blend of technology and creativity, the festival also showcases more than 30 innovative programs throughout the area, providing an immersive experience for all participants and visitors.

For all updates regarding artists and details for the event leading up to its commencement, enthusiasts can look forward to more announcements via the official DIG SHIBUYA website and social media platforms.

DIG SHIBUYA 2026 not only promises to be an enriching experience for art lovers but also aims to redefine urban interaction through the lens of art and technology.

To learn more about the event, visit DIG SHIBUYA's official site.