#Japan #Tokyo #CCBT #Artist Fellows #Civic Fashion

The 2026 Artist Fellows Selected for CCBT

The Civic Creative Base Tokyo (CCBT) has finalized its selection of five artist fellows for the 2026 program, marking a continuation of its commitment to exploring and reshaping the relationship between urban environments and individual expression through the lens of Civic Fashion. This initiative, part of CCBT's Art Incubation Program, stands as one of the largest artist fellow systems in Japan.

The 2026 program invites innovative projects that reflect the multifaceted nature of fashion as both a social indicator and a platform for individualized expression. With a total of 127 submissions, the artists were selected through a rigorous evaluation process to push boundaries and create novel expressions and actions aimed at enhancing urban life. The theme of Civic Fashion not only engages with aesthetics but also challenges candidates to delve into technology and community-driven movements, emphasizing the need for fresh perspectives on what future garments, experiences, and expressions can be.

Selected Projects for the 2026 Fellowship

The five fellows and their projects are as follows:

1. Kato Akihiro - "Noraro B of O"
This project introduces a small robot, the Noraro B, which survives in a natural environment while interacting with AI and humans to build a unique artificial ecosystem. It examines the cycle of survival and evolution, capturing the relationship between technology, environment, and humanity through workshops and exhibitions.

2. Komiya Lisa Marina - "Skinsphere"
Aimed at redefining identity, this project explores the concept of the body as an interface. It analyzes the microbiome inhabiting our bodies and challenges the definitions that society constructs around us, using biotechnological workshops and participatory research.

3. 05 (Makihara Eri + Wada Natsumi) - "KINEOTYPE"
This collaborative project, led by a deaf filmmaker and a CODA researcher, re-examines urban interactions through body language and visual storytelling. By creating digital archives of diverse bodily expressions, the project aims to foster new forms of communication between hearing and deaf individuals within urban spaces.

4. Takahashi Kosuke - "Observatory of Plurality"
This initiative focuses on collecting and presenting multiple perspectives from individuals with diverse bodies and experiences within urban settings. It aims to create participatory installations that encourage citizens to engage with the urban landscape in new and enriching ways.

5. Yang Ikumi - "Early Spring"
Utilizing Oriental painting techniques, this performance installation investigates the boundaries between choice and imposition in self-representation within fashion, allowing participants to engage in a shared exploration of identity within the urban fabric.

These selected proposals reaffirm CCBT's role as a facilitator of creativity, merging art with civic engagement and technology while seeking deeper social relevance in urban environments. The fellows will not only spotlight their work from July 2026 to March 2027 but also engage the Tokyo public through workshops, lectures, and participatory events across various formats.

The Bigger Picture

CCBT, supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, encapsulates a collaborative approach toward urban change, inviting residents into a dialogue about their relationship with art and technology.

This rich array of artistic activities highlights the program's commitment to include marginalized voices in the conversation about urban identity and expression. As the initiatives unfold, CCBT encourages ongoing public engagement and feedback to nourish a culture of innovation inherent in its mission.

In conclusion, the 2026 Artist Fellows program not only serves as a platform for individual creativity but also challenges traditional notions of fashion and public space, ultimately working towards a more inclusive and artistically vibrant urban landscape in Tokyo.