Sapporo International Art Festival 2024 announces theme

January 20–February 25, 2024

The Executive Committee of the Sapporo International Art Festival, chaired by Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro, and Director Ogawa Hideaki are pleased to announce the topic of the Sapporo International Art Festival 2024 (SIAF2024), which will take place in the winter of 2023/2024. LAST SNOW is the name of the theme. Director Ogawa is appealing for future-oriented production and action by raising this issue as a question for all of us.

In addition to the theme, the Committee has revealed the SIAF2024 sub-themes and period, as well as the open program and ongoing activities for fiscal year 2022. These programs, as well as SIAF2024, which will begin in January 2024, are projected to be extremely spectacular.

Director’s statement
The theme of SIAF2024 is LAST SNOW.

Humanity lives in the midst of constant crises, with events such as the global pandemic since 2020 and the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Technological development is accelerating, resulting in rapidly transforming societies. Furthermore, the effects of global climate change are slowly but surely changing our lives. It is predicted that by the end of the 21st century the meaning of “snow” – which should exist in Sapporo as a matter of course – and the scenery it creates will be different from what they are today.

This art festival focuses on transformation and creation for such a future for our planet, society, community, and life.

What is snow, and how will Sapporo be different 100 years from now? What kind of future can the hybrid of art and science and technology envision? What new ways of thinking, education, innovation, systems, and actions are necessary to live in harmony with the future Earth? What kind of communities will we create, and what kind of future humanity will live there?

LAST SNOW is a call for creativity and action for the sake of our future.

Do we simply wait for the future to arrive and accept it? Or can we seize this moment as our last chance and begin to create our own future?

The sub-theme of the festival is “Where the Future Begins”. The art festival also has a sub-theme in the language of the Ainu people, who have built their own culture in the northern lands. Upaste, a term derived from upas meaning “snow”, embodies an original interpretation inspired by the festival’s theme; to start running towards a future with snow, and to recognise each other through snow.

In 2024 the Sapporo International Art Festival will create an “experimental zone” in Sapporo which, through art, provokes questions and inspires actions for the future. We look forward to experiencing “where the future begins” together with you.

Ogawa Hideaki, SIAF2024 Director

Outline of Sapporo International Art Festival 2024 (SIAF2024)
Theme: LAST SNOW
Sub-themes: Where the Future Begins/Upaste (Ainu language)
Dates: Saturday, January 20–Sunday, February 25, 2024 (37 days) 
A pre-opening period is being considered for some venues.
Director: Ogawa Hideaki (Co-Director of Ars Electronica Futurelab/Artist) 
Organizers: Sapporo International Art Festival Executive Committee and City of Sapporo 

To read the full press release, visit  website.

Press contact: [email protected]