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Awards and Special Prizes

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The Japan Foundation Awards (2011)

Symposium:"The Reconstruction of the Japanese Milieu"

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 reminded us of the significance of cooperation with the international community and we are very grateful for all your support. Facing new challenges and difficult situations, The Japan Foundation is planning to take actions to rejuvenate and revitalize culture through international exchange programs. As a part of this year’s Japan Foundation Awards Presentation Ceremony, a symposium will be held between past and present awardees and one prominent cultural figure. They will explore issues ranging from the future of international cultural exchange to the future of Japan, herself.

Panelists
Augustin Berque (France) The Japan Foundation Award for Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange Retired Professor, School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences Professor Berque is born in Rabat, Morocco, in 1942. With his rich knowledge of Japanese culture and milieu, Professor Berque is a leading scholar in Japanese studies who developed his own interpretation of “Fudo.” Through his groundbreaking study on “Fudo” stimulated by Tetsuro Watsuji’s “A climate: a philosophical study” (Fudo) he has immensely contributed to the academic fields of geography, philosophy, anthropology and Japanese studies. Professor Berque’s research seeking the essence of the human existence is highly evaluated and his thought-provoking suggestions to Japanese culture surely enrich the field of Japanese study. In addition to these academic accomplishments, he worked as Director of the Maison Franco-Japonaise in Tokyo from 1984 until 1988.
Toyo Ito Architect Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture in 1965. In 1971, he established his own office, Urban Robot (URBOT), which was renamed to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects in 1979. Main works: Sendai Mediatheque, TOD’S Omotesando Building, Tama Art University Library (Hachioji campus), The Main Stadium for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung (Taiwan R.O.C.), Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari, etc. Under development; Extension for “The Fair of Barcelona Gran Via Venue” (Spain), Taichung Metropolitan Opera House (Taiwan R.O.C.), etc. Awards and Prizes: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the 8th International Architecture Exhibition “NEXT” at the Venice Biennale (2002), Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects (2006), The 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu (2010), etc.
Fram Kitagawa Art Director Awardee of the Japan Foundation Special Prize for Arts and Culture, 2007 Born in Takada City (current Joetsu City), Niigata Prefecture in 1946. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. He has organized exhibitions and events throughout Japan, including the exhibition “Antonio Gaudi” which traveled to 13 cities in 1978-1979 and heralded the “boom” of Gaudi in Japan, “Prints Show for Children”, which was held at 80 schools throughout Japan in 1980-1982, and “Apartheid Non! International Art Festival”, which traveled to 194 places in 1988-1990 and attracted 380,000 visitors. His committed regional revitalization projects include “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale” (since 2000), “Aqua Metropolis Osaka” (2009), “Niigata Water and Earth Museum 2009”, “Setouchi International Art Festival 2010”. He is Chevalier of the Cultural Order from Government of Republic of France and laureate of Cultural Order from Government of Poland Republic. Awarded the Japan Foundation Special Prize in 2007 and Kagawa Prefecture Culture Merit in 2010. He has been acting as General Director for Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale and Setouchi International Art Festival.

Panelists

Augustin Berque (France)
The Japan Foundation Award for Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange
Retired Professor, School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Professor Berque is born in Rabat, Morocco, in 1942. With his rich knowledge of Japanese culture and milieu, Professor Berque is a leading scholar in Japanese studies who developed his own interpretation of “Fudo.” Through his groundbreaking study on “Fudo” stimulated by Tetsuro Watsuji’s “A climate: a philosophical study” (Fudo) he has immensely contributed to the academic fields of geography, philosophy, anthropology and Japanese studies. Professor Berque’s research seeking the essence of the human existence is highly evaluated and his thought-provoking suggestions to Japanese culture surely enrich the field of Japanese study. In addition to these academic accomplishments, he worked as Director of the Maison Franco-Japonaise in Tokyo from 1984 until 1988.

Toyo Ito
Architect

Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture in 1965. In 1971, he established his own office, Urban Robot (URBOT), which was renamed to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects in 1979.

Main works: Sendai Mediatheque, TOD’S Omotesando Building, Tama Art University Library (Hachioji campus), The Main Stadium for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung (Taiwan R.O.C.), Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari, etc.
Under development; Extension for “The Fair of Barcelona Gran Via Venue” (Spain), Taichung Metropolitan Opera House (Taiwan R.O.C.), etc.

Awards and Prizes: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the 8th International Architecture Exhibition “NEXT” at the Venice Biennale (2002), Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects (2006), The 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu (2010), etc.

Fram Kitagawa
Art Director
Awardee of the Japan Foundation Special Prize for Arts and Culture, 2007

Born in Takada City (current Joetsu City), Niigata Prefecture in 1946.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts.

He has organized exhibitions and events throughout Japan, including the exhibition “Antonio Gaudi” which traveled to 13 cities in 1978-1979 and heralded the “boom” of Gaudi in Japan, “Prints Show for Children”, which was held at 80 schools throughout Japan in 1980-1982, and “Apartheid Non! International Art Festival”, which traveled to 194 places in 1988-1990 and attracted 380,000 visitors.

His committed regional revitalization projects include “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale” (since 2000), “Aqua Metropolis Osaka” (2009), “Niigata Water and Earth Museum 2009”, “Setouchi International Art Festival 2010”.

He is Chevalier of the Cultural Order from Government of Republic of France and laureate of Cultural Order from Government of Poland Republic.
Awarded the Japan Foundation Special Prize in 2007 and Kagawa Prefecture Culture Merit in 2010.

He has been acting as General Director for Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale and Setouchi International Art Festival.

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