Dubai Culture Concludes Japan Art & Culture Delegation Programme

Al Bawaba

10-06-2025

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has wrapped up the Japan Art & Culture Delegation Programme, an initiative supported by the Sikka Platform to expand opportunities for Emirati and UAE-based artists on the global stage. The programme offered participants the chance to engage deeply with Japan's leading art institutions and practitioners. As part of the Dubai Cultural Grant, under the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, this trip reflects Dubai Culture's commitment to empowering creatives, enriching their experiences, and nurturing an environment that allows talent to thrive and innovate.Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed that Dubai has effectively leveraged cultural diplomacy to build bridges across borders and reinforce its status as a global centre for the arts. She emphasised the importance of the UAE–Japan Creative Exchange, highlighting its role in fostering cross-border cooperation and intellectual knowledge sharing with universities, galleries, and art institutions worldwide.She said: 'This programme opens up new prospects for creatives, offering them opportunities to learn about diverse practices and benefit from academic expertise. Such exposure enables them to explore international trends, improve their modes of expression, and discover innovative ways to reflect the authenticity of our heritage and local identity. By nurturing this spirit of exploration, we are not only advancing Dubai's vision for a prominent place on the world stage but also supporting individuals on their journey to excellence and the growth of the creative economy. Dubai Culture remains dedicated to championing exceptional creators and helping them reach their full potential.'The 10-day programme brought together a distinguished group of Emirati creatives, including artist and curator Sheikh Maktoum bin Marwan Al Maktoum; designer and curator Kamla AlOlama; researcher and Senior Curatorial Assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi Amna Al Zaabi; multidisciplinary artist Latifa Saeed; Fatma Al Ali whose work focuses on collective memory and oral history; graphic design professor Alanood Bukhammas from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University; and artist and assistant professor Asma Belhamar, also from Zayed University alongside Lebanese artist and curator Ahmad Makary, founder of The Workshop DXB; and Bahraini artist and curator Yara Ayoob.The programme was guided and mentored by Yusaku Imamura, Vice President of Tokyo University of the Arts and Professor of the Global Art Practice at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, in collaboration with designer and university lecturer Manabu Ozawa, a member of the advisory board at Istituto Marangoni Dubai; architect and curator Kayoko Imamura, Director of the Japan Arts and Culture Foundation and CARD Inc.; and Maitha Al Zaabi, Project Manager of the Japan Art & Culture Delegation Programme.Cultural immersion As part of the exchange, participants visited Expo 2025 Osaka, where they explored the UAE Pavilion under the theme 'From Earth to Ether.' The pavilion highlights the nation's achievements in space exploration, pioneering healthcare innovations, and advancements in sustainable technologies, blending engineering with cultural depth. During their visit, the group also took part in a discussion with visionary architect Sou Fujimoto, the mastermind behind the Japan Expo Grand ring.The programme included visits to some of Japan's most significant landmarks across Tokyo, Osaka, and nearby regions. Highlights were the Mori Art Museum, one of the country's foremost institutions for contemporary art, as well as a number of galleries such as Tomio Koyama Gallery, Shugo Arts, Taka Ishii Gallery. The delegation also met with Yayoi Komatsu, Director of the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (MOMAT), and visited the POLA Museum Annex to view solo exhibitions by artists such as Hiraku Suzuki. Additionally, they spent time at the MOA Museum of Art in Atami—home to approximately 3,500 works, including national treasures—and toured the Odawara Art Foundation established by Hiroshi Sugimoto; a stunning coastal location that integrates with nature and emphasizes on the passage of time and the sun's movement.Participants also made stops at 21_21 Design Sight designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, Karimoku furniture company, Postalco design studio, Takram, Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Tokyo University of the Arts. They connected with some of Japan most important Contemporary Artists such as Kenji Yanobe, and experienced TeamLab's immersive digital installations. The delegation continued the programme to visit CFCL (Clothing for Contemporary Life) and A-1 Pictures animation studio, before ending at the Yayoi Kusama Museum, where they met with Director, Akira Tatehata.Voices from the exchangeAs part of the initiative, artist and curator Sheikh Maktoum bin Marwan Al Maktoum described the experience as rich, noting that it allowed participants to immerse themselves in Japanese arts and culture. He said: 'The programme enabled us to appreciate the nuances of the Japanese cultural landscape, which brought new depth to our intellectual dialogue with Japan.'Echoing this sentiment, artist Asma Belhamar highlighted how the journey was a source of inspiration, giving her and other members of the delegation the chance to discover the aesthetic and cultural ties connecting the two countries. She commented: 'The cities we visited have a deep-rooted history and unique architectural designs. They served as a window into the Japanese arts scene and helped us gain new perspectives.'Designer and curator Kamla AlOlama pointed out the value of expanding creative horizons. The visit, she said, sparked fresh thinking around artistic, architectural, and design concepts, while also facilitating meaningful conversations with distinguished peers and academics. These encounters became a platform to discuss the latest trends. Artist Ahmad Makary reflected on connecting with Japanese artists, something which encouraged him to contemplate how contemporary aesthetics and heritage can inform each other. He added that the exchange offered an opportunity to explore how to embed regional and local identity within modern artistic frameworks.Curator Yara Ayoob spoke of how the initiative broadened her knowledge and pushed her to rethink how she presents her work. She remarked: 'Every meeting and visit was invaluable, thanks to the thoughtful advice and impactful ideas shared throughout. It made a significant contribution to both my personal and professional development.'Researcher and Curator Amna Al Zaabi described the journey as transformative, bridging the worlds of art and the refined simplicity of Japanese tradition. She said, 'The tours helped me uncover a deep relationship between cultural heritage and expression, which deepened my understanding of creative narratives and their complexity.'Artist Fatma Al Ali expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to visit art studios and observe the practices of Japanese creators. She emphasised that meeting directors of institutions in Japan was an incredible learning experience, adding further depth to the overall trip.Designer Alanood Bukhammas underlined the programme's lasting impact, noting that it reinforced her belief in design as a powerful tool for communication across communities. She stated: 'Participating made it possible to establish sustainable networks and generate new, high-quality ideas that can be applied in educational contexts.'
Concluding the reflections, artist Latifa Saeed praised Dubai Culture's efforts in cultivating an environment that supports the exploration of distinctive perspectives. She said, 'Such cultural programmes offer a genuine chance to learn from others. It has a positive influence on the development of our skills and motivates us to grow and develop our abilities.'