“Antípodas: tão distantes, tão próximos” Opens in São Paolo. Commemorating the 130th Anniversary of Japan-Brazil Diplomatic Relations

The Japan Foundation (JF) will present the exhibition Antípodas: tão distantes, tão próximos (Antipodes: faraway, so close) from Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to Sunday, January 25, 2026, in São Paulo, Brazil, co-organising with Serviço Social do Comércio (Social Service of Commerce, Sesc), to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. Curated by Tomoe Moriyama, curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo who has organized many exhibitions in Japan and abroad, the exhibition will highlight the work of a new generation of Japanese media artists.

Japan and Brazil are roughly at antipodes, with climates and environments that differ greatly. Brazil is literally “on the other side of the globe” from Japan, but despite this geographical distance, the country has a deep historical connection with Japan. Based on these geographical and historical factors, an array of media art works will be presented providing interactive, participatory experiences through the use of technology. By drawing forth differing thoughts and new perspectives on similar phenomena, events, and subjects and encouraging the sharing of these thoughts and perspectives, the exhibition seeks to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries. During the exhibition period, in addition to displaying artworks, participatory programs will be held featuring artists who explore diverse forms of expression—including text, optical illusions, the body, space, and devices.

We hope this exhibition's endeavour to traverse two countries, cities, and spaces in various ways will provide an opportunity to reflect on the long-standing exchanges between the two nations and on worlds both familiar and yet to be discovered.

Outline

Antípodas: tão distantes, tão próximos (Antipodes: faraway, so close)
Exhibition commemorating the 130th anniversary of Japan-Brazil diplomatic relations

Organizer	The Japan Foundation (JF), Serviço Social do Comércio (Sesc)
Exhibition period	Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – Sunday, January 25, 2026
Venue	Sesc Vila Mariana (São Paulo, Brazil)
Curator	Tomoe Moriyama (Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo)
With the cooperation of	Design Division, Panasonic Corporation
Participating artists	Akinori Goto FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, Design Division, Panasonic Corporation GRINDER-MAN Jun Fujiki Junji Watanabe, Yui Kawaguchi, Kyosuke Sakakura, Hideyuki Ando Kohei Ishida + Yuji Hatada Minami Arai Nahoko Yamamura + Daisuke Uriu + Mitsuru Muramatsu + Yusuke Kamiyama + Shin Sakamoto + Shunji Yamanaka + Masahiko Inami NORAMOJI Project (Rintaro Shimohama / Masaki Nishimura / Shinya Wakaoka) Optical Illusion Block Project So Kanno+Akihiro Kato+Takemi Watanuki Yoichi Ochiai Zombie Zoo Keeper

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Curator’s biography

Tomoe Moriyama (Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo):

Since 1989, Moriyama has contributed to the establishment of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum as a curator. She has since organised many exhibitions in the field of film media, serving as a curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MoT) since 2007. After teaching at institutions such as the University of Tokyo Graduate School and Waseda University and being invited to ZKM, MIT and Getty Research Institute, she has also served as a jury member for the Prix Ars Electronica, NHK JAPAN PRIZE, and as a chair for the 1st SIGGRAPH Asia. She has curated, at MoT, solo exhibitions of Kohei Nawa (2011), Tokujin Yoshioka (2013-14), DUMB TYPE (2019-20) and Rhizomatiks (2021) , pursuing both research and practice on themes such as the establishment and development of public cultural facilities as centers for media art, collaboration between technology and art, and support for exhibitions. Her major publications include ReImagination and Meta-Visual (French Edition) (co-authored/supervised). For Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, she served as producer of the exhibition Entangle Moment — [Quantum, Earth and Universe] × Art, which invites visitors to experience the world of “quantum, earth, and universe” through the collaboration of art and science. She is a fellow of The Virtual Reality Society of Japan and serves also as a visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts.

About Serviço Social do Comércio (Social Service of Commerce, Sesc):

Sesc, founded in 1946, is a Brazilian non-profit organization with offices throughout the country. Its mission is to enhance the wellbeing of citizens of all generations by carrying out programs in a wide range of fields, including education, arts and culture, and sports. It also collaborates with international artists and organizations to present diverse exhibitions, as well as music, theater, and other performances, playing a vital role in the promotion and exchange of arts and culture in Brazil.

Related project for the 130th anniversary of Japan–Brazil diplomatic relations

In November 2025, the Japan Foundation will present Super Farm, a performance by artist Saeborg, in São Paulo, Brazil. For further details, please visit the Japan Foundation’s official website.