#Japan #Tokyo #Collective Madness #Shinji Mitsuka #Kazuya Horibe

ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.47

The ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) is thrilled to announce the 47th edition of the ADF Art Gallery Project, showcasing an exhibition titled Collective Madness – Why Do People Conflict? by contemporary artist Shinji Mitsuka and scientist Kazuya Horibe. The exhibition will take place at GARDE Gallery in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo from August 28 to September 16, 2026. As a highlight, the opening reception will be held on August 28 from 6 PM to 8 PM, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The Intersection of Science and Art

The theme Collective Madness juxtaposes the sociological concept of Collective Intelligence. Mitsuka and Horibe, who met through the Fundamentals program that fosters collaboration between artists and cutting-edge scientists, address critical questions about our contemporary society. They investigate how post-Cold War economic systems, democratic frameworks, and digitized information environments might structurally contribute to social conflicts.

During the exhibition, viewers can expect to see Horibe's artistic works created using Large Language Models (LLM), based on a scholarly paper written by Mitsuka. Additionally, Mitsuka will present past works exploring similar inquiries, alongside new pieces developed through their collaborative research. This interaction between their distinct fields creates a unique forum for discourse that bridges art and science.

Modern Society as a Creative Muse

Mitsuka theorizes in his paper that many modern conflicts stem not from an evolution of values but rather from changes in our information environments shaped by digital devices, the internet, and social media. The exhibition aims to scrutinize and deepen this hypothesis from both artistic and scientific viewpoints. Since the modern era, artists have traditionally focused on landscapes and individuals, translating them into two- or three-dimensional works. Mitsuka posits that contemporary art should extend its focus to society itself, observing and revealing the underlying structures and dynamics shaping it is fundamental to an artist's role.

One significant piece to look forward to is a 2-meter-tall sculpture inspired by banana peels, posing questions about why our modern era has become fraught with division and conflict. This exhibition invites audiences to engage directly with these artistic explorations and their intersections with scientific inquiry.

The Artists Behind the Work

Shinji Mitsuka began his artistic career after a diverse range of roles, including ski patrol, lifeguard, and bike messenger. He enrolled at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1999 and has since worked in various media roles, including magazine editing and television directing, before presenting his artworks starting in 2018. His accolades include the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman’s Award in 2021, the Okamoto Toshi Prize in 2022, and participation in the Hamakaru Art Project in 2023.

On the other hand, Kazuya Horibe completed his Ph.D. in science at Osaka University in 2021 and currently serves as a specially appointed assistant professor at the Graduate School of Engineering. He conducts research on human social and cultural interactions, employing mathematical models, having previously engaged in studies on human-agent interactions and artificial life.

Exhibition Details

• - Period: August 28 (Friday) – September 16 (Wednesday), 2026
• - Hours: 11 AM – 6 PM (until 5 PM on final day)
• - Venue: GARDE Gallery
• - Opening Reception: August 28, 2026, from 6 PM to 8 PM (open to all)
• - Closed on: Sundays and national holidays
• - Address: 4th Floor, NBF Alliance Building, 5-2-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Please refrain from asking for directions at the first-floor store.

Experience the intersection of science and art, and explore the questions that define our current age of division and conflict at the Collective Madness exhibition!