B-OWND, an art and craft platform provided by Tanseisha, will be exhibiting at "Personal Structures," an official satellite event of the Venice Biennale 2026, which will be held in Venice, Italy from May 9th (Saturday), 2026.
In this exhibition, B-OWND is in charge of overall curation/ Produce and spatial design, presenting a large-scale exhibition across seven rooms featuring six B-OWND participating artists with a background in Japanese crafts, one art collective, and Shueisha Manga Art Heritage as a special collaborator.
Today, April 10th (Friday), we held a press conference for the media regarding our participation in this exhibition. In this press conference and release, we will explain why our company, which specializes in creating spaces, is exhibiting at the Venice Biennale, an international art festival, the significance of this, our commitment to space design, information on our special collaborating artists, and the enthusiasm of the participating artists.
Image for "Exhibition Room 1 | Generating Relationships - From Viewing to Participation"
News Release
Why Tanseisha is exhibiting: Enhancing the added value of Japanese culture through spaces that offer "experiential value."
As "professionals in creating spaces that move the heart," our company has been involved in creating Cultural Spaces for many years. In this exhibition, we will bring together diverse genres such as architecture, crafts, art, and manga through the "power of spatial design," and challenge ourselves to visualize and spatialize the depth of Japanese culture and its unique value system. Going beyond a mere visual art exhibition, we will create a space that offers "experiential value" that transcends mere art appreciation through the fusion of multiple genres that appeal to the five senses, such as scent, and through collaboration with various sponsors and suppliers. By curating the entire space, we will dramatically enhance the added value of Japanese crafts, and by extension, Japanese culture itself, and present a new worldview of beauty based on the "logic of relationships" that transcends dualism.
Comments from the exhibition space designer (Intentions and challenges of spatial design)
Two of our top designers, who are leading the spatial design of this exhibition, discussed their vision for how to express Japanese aesthetics through space within the historic architectural space of Venice.
Taisuke Kamiguchi, Principal Creative Director, Tanseisha Design Center
Our company's business, B-OWND, transcends the traditional role of an art curator, recognizing it as a platform that connects people through "perspectives" via art. We planned the space at Venice Personal Structure to convey its brand value.
The concept of the space is "Way is us." The "Way/Path," which originally served its purpose as a pathway guiding guests to the artists, is drawn into the venue. Within the space divided by this pathway, the "Way/Method," which views preconceived notions divided by "dualism" equally, is demonstrated to guests through the exhibition plan using "Tea Ceremony and Manga" as themes. The aim of this exhibition is to allow visitors to appreciate craft works from both the "tool and art" perspectives.
Shuntaro Yamaguchi, Group Leader, Visual Design Group, C&D Department, Tanseisha Design Center
To embody the concept of "Way is us" in a space with over 800 years of history in Venice, we created a simple space using materials that are universal to both Japan and Venice. The curtain covering the artwork becomes the "Way," the exhibition itself conveys the "Way/Method" of viewing it, and the "Perspective" that connects the artwork with guests from around the world through the attitude and viewpoint of those who view it.
Guided by "Way/Path," guests will find that the worldview of each artist's work is expressed in each room. After experiencing B-OWND's concept of "Way/Method" and "Perspective," they will appreciate each artist's work in conjunction with the space, as well as the Venetian sunlight and air filtering through the windows, creating a unique spatial experience that can only be obtained at this venue. The aim was for many people to take away the "philosophy of B-OWND" from their viewing experience.
Creating a unique spatial experience through a total effort and collaboration with sponsors and suppliers.
This exhibition is made possible not only through the efforts of our company and the artists, but also through collaboration with a diverse range of sponsors and suppliers who share our vision. In addition to visual artistic expression, professionals from various fields are involved, such as Spatial Production of a "fragrance" in the space and the provision of a special hanging scroll by Mr. Tōryō Itō, the head of a Zen Buddhist temple. Furthermore, the exhibition brings together knowledge and resources from multiple genres, including support from the Yamauchi family (Yamauchi Foundation), the founding family of Nintendo, for the lacquerware artisan group "Hikojyū Makie," which will be discussed later. The efforts of these leading Japanese professionals bring strength and depth to the experience of the entire space.
Introducing our special collaborating artists
Hikoju Makie (Lacquerware)
In Room 1, the tea room, the lacquerware works created by the lacquerware artisan group "Hikoju Makie" serve as a medium that dissolves the dichotomy between "appreciation and use" and guides participants into a spiritual experience. Based in Wajima, Hikoju Makie has adhered to the aesthetics of its former master, Takashi Wakamiya, and has been committed to using natural wood and natural lacquer as materials. Their collective method of creating beauty within "relationships with others," through a complete division of labor among approximately 20 specialized artisans, embodies the theme of this exhibition, "The Logic of Relationships."
In February 2025, Hikoju Makie faced a turning point with the passing of Takashi Wakamiya, its spiritual pillar, but the chain of his spirit and skills did not break. With the support of the Yamauchi family, the founding family of Nintendo, Hikoju Makie established a new system and took a new step forward. Hikoju Makie's challenge to present the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship to the world as a contemporary expression and to transcend the boundaries between craft and art will continue.
Tōryō Itō | Deputy Chief Priest of Ryōsokuin Temple
In Room 1's tea room, the host's intentions are conveyed through a hanging scroll by Ito Tōryō, the deputy head priest of Ryōsokuin Temple, a branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. To translate the Zen concept of non-duality into a simple and symbolic form, this work uses a "triple equals sign (≡)" in ink.
Traditionally, calligraphy is written with a brush, but this time, in keeping with the theme, I used old pieces of wood, metal, and roof tiles that were stored at Ryōsokuin Temple to create three lines that resemble stamps. By giving a new purpose to materials that have already served their original purpose, I am attempting to give form to a relationship that resonates with others, transcending boundaries.
We hope this will serve as a clue to understanding the exhibition's theme: "to perceive a perspective that transcends dualism and gently embraces the world."
List of Sponsors and Suppliers
Special Collaborator：東京建物株式会社
Partners：株式会社 KaleidoPath、株式会社ツミカサネ
Supporters：東京海上日動火災保険株式会社、立命館大学デザイン・アート学部・研究科、日本たばこ産業株式会社、小豆島ヘルシーランド株式会社、株式会社中川政七商店、一般財団法人 山内財団
Comments from participating artists who appeared at the media presentation.
At today's media presentation, the artists who will be decorating each room took the stage and spoke about the content of the exhibition and their aspirations for the world.
Takahiro Koga (Ceramics / Room 3)
I am proud to present a work that embodies my own ideas and skills in Venice, the city of history and water. In this place where tradition and innovation intersect, I will update Japanese aesthetics and create new value while engaging in dialogue with the world. Above all, I am excited to be able to compete as one with this B-OWND team.
[Artist page: https://www.b-ownd.com/artists/qQPtWL]
Tomoya Sakai (Ceramics / Room 4)
I believe that even though people may differ in nationality, culture, and values, they share something fundamentally common to all, and that in the face of this common ground, they are all on equal footing. Through my work, I have continuously explored what that common ground might be. This exhibition is a valuable opportunity for diverse people from around the world to gather and share that feeling. As an artist, I am honored to be able to participate in this exhibition.
[Artist page: https://www.b-ownd.com/artists/bVAt10]
Kengo Takahashi (Metalworker / Room 5)
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to exhibit my work on the international stage of the Venice Biennale. I am also looking forward to seeing how my work, which replaces the life of flowers with metal using my unique techniques and embodies prayers for the cycle of life and death and rebirth, will resonate with people around the world. With gratitude in my heart for the many people who have supported me so far, I will take on this grand stage with pride.
[Artist page: https://www.b-ownd.com/artists/eNtmrE]
Chikuunsai Tanabe IV (Bamboo Craft / Room 7)
Based on the concept of "emptiness," this bamboo dome expresses the way the world exists within relationships. Within a microcosm encompassing heaven and earth, humanity and nature, the inner and outer, past and future intersect, and the artwork resonates with the water and light of Venice, creating a sense of connection. We encourage you to experience it firsthand.
[Artist page: https://www.b-ownd.com/artists/8XGteb]
B-OWND's special website, "Relational Logic — Beyond Dualism, a World Reconnected," has been launched.
We have launched a special website in conjunction with our participation in the Venice Biennale. The site contains detailed information about the exhibition and design, comments from the organizers and experts, as well as introductions to the artists. We plan to post updates on the site throughout the event and information about related events.
[Special website URL: https://brand.b-ownd.com/venice2026/]
Overview of our exhibit at "Personal Structures," an official satellite event of the Venice Biennale 2026.
Exhibition Title: "Relational Logic — Beyond Dualism, a World Reconnected"
Event Name: Personal Structures 2026 (Official Satellite Event of Venice Biennale 2026)
Dates: May 9, 2026 (Sat) - November 22, 2026 (Sun)
Venue: Palazzo Bembo (Riva del Carbon, 4793, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy)
Organizer/Planner: TANSEISHA Co., Ltd. B-OWND
In cooperation with: Shueisha Manga Art Heritage, TeaRoom, and others.
Related News
Related information
- Business Overview > List of Related Businesses
- > B-OWND