Hiroo Iwata - University of Tsukuba

Device Art is a new form of art that displays the essence of technology through the use of new materials and mechatronic devices.

This concept challenges the traditional paradigm of art by its convergence of technology, art and design.

Device Art possesses three main characteristics:

1. The Device itself is content. The mechanism represents the theme of the piece. Content and tool are no longer separable.

2. Artworks are often playful and can sometimes be commercialized into devices or gadgets for use in everyday life.

3. Refined design and playful features are traced back to the Japanese tradition of appreciating tools and materials.

Traditional Japanese culture, such as tea ceremony or flower arrangement, uses sophisticated devices.These devices are the roots of device art.

These characteristics are not familiar in Western artwork. For this reason, its novelty draws world-wide attention to Device Art.

Significant advances have been observed in the interactive art of Japan over the last few decades.

These advances include innovative interface devices used by Device Artists.

The concept of Device Art arose when the latest technologies were fused with the traditional Japanese value of art as an inextricable part of life.

We hope Device Art provides a model for understanding what it means to live in a world full of new technology.

The Device Art project is funded by Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Hiroo Iwata conducts the project, its formal title being, "Expressive Science and Technology for Device Art."

The name and concept of Device Art came about during the process of its creation in 2004.

The goal of this project was to systematize technologies found in Device Art and to establish reasonable methods of evaluating the works.

In order to achieve this goal, a new framework named "Gadgetrium", which is composed of a laboratory, exhibition room, and venture business, was constructed.

In 2008, we opened the permanent exhibition space, "Device Art Gallery," in the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo.

We believe technology will advance and be refined with help from audience feedback and participation.

Collaborators on this project are:

Hideyuki Ando, Masahiko Inami, Hiroo Iwata, Machiko Kusahara, Ryota Kuwakubo, Sachiko Kodama, Novmichi Tosa, Kazuhiko Hachiya, Taro Maeda, and Hiroaki Yano.