Etsuko Ichihara
Media Artist / fantasy inventor.
Born 1988 in Aichi. Graduated in Studies of Media, Body and Image from the School of Culture, Media and Society, Waseda University. Has been creating artworks that interpret Japanese culture, customs and beliefs from a unique point of view, and present new, technology-based approaches. Thanks to their strong impact, these works have been introduced across a wide range of media, such as Japanese newspapers and TV programs, online media, and foreign magazines. Main works include “Sekuhara Interface,” a device featuring a seductively moaning radish; the “SRxSI system that substitutes reality with delusion” in which users can meet a fictional beautiful woman; and the “Digital Shaman Project” spending 49 days with household robots endowed with impressions of deceased people.
Ichihara’s works were included in the Excellence Award at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival, Entertainment Division in 2017, and in 2016, chosen for the INNOvation program from The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
She has recently presented her works in exhibitions such as ‘Digital Shamanism: Japanese Funeral and Festivity’ at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC], Japan Media Arts Festival.
【FOLLOW ME】
【CONTACT】
Mail: mojarin@gmail.com
Twitter: @etsuko_ichihara
Short documentary movie about her works(English subscript)
Sekuhara Interface (moaning radish)
Digital Shaman Projcet
AWARDS/SELECTIONS
2018:[Honorary Mention] Ars Electronica Interactive Art Award《Digital Shaman Project》
2018:[Nomination] Ars Electronica STARTS PRIZE Award《Digital Shaman Project》
2017: [Excellence Award] at the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival《Digital Shaman Project》
2016:the INNOvation program from The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications《Digital Shaman Project》
2016:Basic Policy for Promoting Measures related to Preparations for and Management of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 of Goverment
2015:Supported Project to Support and Nurture of Media Arts Creators by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan
2014:[Jury recommended works] at the 18th Japan Media Arts Festival
2014:[Silver Award] at the 18th CAMPUS GENIUS AWARD
2012:[second prize] at BLOOMBERG PAVILION PROJECT – Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS / FESTIVALS
2018:MECÂNICA – Japan Media Arts Festival in Aichi at Nadia Park , JAPAN
2017:”the 20th Japan Media Arts Festival” at Operacity Art Gallery , JAPAN
2016:”Digital Shamanism: Japanese Funeral and Festivity” at NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC] , JAPAN
2012:”BLOOMBERG PAVILION PROJECT” at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, JAPAN
CV
1988:Born in Aichi Pref, JAPAN
2011:B.A. in Waseda University : Studies of Media, Body and Image from the School of Culture, Media and Society Machiko Kusahara Lab
2011 -2016:Interaction Designer at Yahoo JAPAN
2016-:Freelance / Japanology researcher at ISID Open Inovetion Lab
Media(selected)
- TOKYO CUTTING EDGE CREATORS by Julie Watai #3 : Think About Where Humanity Meets Technology with Etsuko Ichihara
- Au Japon, les radis chantent d’amour, Libération, 2017.05
- toco toco tv, Nolife, 2017.05
- 【Video】 “Sexual Harassment Interface” Lets You Grope Moaning Radishes Rocket News, 2012.12
- 【A Woman Sexually Harassing a… Japanese Radish Kotaku, 2012.12