SIAF2027 Theme

PLANET SNOW
upas mintar / upas nociw

Message from the SIAF2027 Director Team

Welcome to Planet Snow

In 2027, the Sapporo International Art Festival, wrapped in white snow, will become the stage for a grand narrative about the future of humanity and the universe.

What kind of future do we hope for in these turbulent times, and how will we choose to move forward? Together with artists and citizens, SIAF aims to reconsider "humanity," "Earth," and "the universe." Through the creative and free space of Planet Snow, we call for action towards the future. This is the vision encapsulated in the theme of SIAF2027.

What path have we, as "humankind," walked so far, and how have we existed on this planet called "Earth?"

We live in an era shaped by a pandemic, social fragmentation, relentless conflict, accelerating technological innovation, and climate change on a global scale. As humanity progresses, we also leave profound marks on the environment and the land. It is precisely because of the weight of this era that we must become more conscious of our place—"Earth"—existing within the larger "universe." With a rich imagination that connects to futures yet unseen and the universe, the Director Team wants to reflect together on what kind of "humanity" we aspire to be.

Upas mintar / upas nociw—these are words from the Ainu language, spoken by the Indigenous people of Japan who have nurtured a distinct and rich culture.
Upas means "snow," mintar means "garden," and nociw means "star."

These words suggest that the art festival will transform into a "snow garden" or a "snow star"—a place where diverse people gather and co-create, becoming a beacon of hope that links the past and the future. They are also embedded with different perspectives: for those who live in Sapporo, Planet Snow is mintar; for those coming from afar, it is nociw. This is the vision and scope of SIAF2027.

We look forward to a journey of creativity with you in the world of Planet Snow.

SIAF2027 Director Team
OGAWA Hideaki (Artistic Director), HOSOKAWA Asami (Festival Director), URUSHI Takahiro (School Director), MARUTA Tomoaki (Studio Director)

SIAF2027 Advisor

YAMAZAKI Naoko
Astronaut / Honorary Director of the Sapporo Science Center

YAMAZAKI was born in Matsudo City, Chiba. She lived in Sapporo from kindergarten through the second grade of elementary school.
In 1999, she was selected as an astronaut candidate by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)—currently the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)—and was officially certified in 2001.
She was certified as a Soyuz-TMA flight engineer in 2004 and a mission specialist with NASA in 2006.
In April 2010, YAMAZAKI flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the crew of STS-131, an assembly and resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
After leaving JAXA in August 2011, she has served in a variety of roles: Member of the Space Policy Committee of Cabinet Office, Representative Director of the Space Port Japan Association, President of the Young Astronaut Club (YAC) Japan, Honorary Director of the Sapporo Science Center, Visiting Professor of Joshibi University of Art and Design, and Council Member of the Earthshot Prize.

©NASA

Message from the SIAF2027 Advisor

I am YAMAZAKI Naoko, an astronaut and the appointed SIAF2027 Advisor.
I lived in Sapporo as a child and still vividly remember the starry sky I looked up at back then. As I gazed at the night sky, I was fascinated by the vastness and beauty of space and imagined, "What lies beyond the universe?" The theme for SIAF2027 is "PLANET SNOW." It combines Sapporo's rich, snowy landscape with the grand image of Earth as a floating planet in space, making me very excited.
Please look forward to SIAF2027!

Movie

The Aim of SIAF2027

An original art festival unique to Sapporo

The next SIAF will also be held in winter! There are many art festivals in the world, but few festivals are held in the winter when snow falls. Additionally, as the sole Media Arts City of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) within Japan, SIAF will leverage Sapporo's distinctive international network.

ENESS,Airship Orchestra Photo by KOMAKI Yoshisato

An art festival that is easy for anyone to participate in and experience

SIAF will prepare a variety of programs that support content and experiences that are enjoyable for all generations. In addition, we will welcome everyone with works and projects that have been carefully contrived around “presentation.”

Let's Roll the Ball in a Circle in Sapporo Future Undokai Photo by KOMAKI Yoshisato

An art festival with a sustainable “system”

A new “director team” has been established! By organizing the various elements of SIAF into three frames—"Festival,” “School,” and “Studio”—and constantly engaging in activities, we will shape the future of SIAF.

SIAF School Program,Create Your Own Snowfrake