Purpose

Application
Requirements

Application Limit

Application
Guidelines

Application
and Judgment
Schedule

Exhibition

Judges

Awards


Application
Procedure

First Judging
Round

Final Judgment

Exhibition,
Catalog, Item
Management,
and Item Returns

Contact Us

Application Information

Purpose

Kogei as Contemporary Art
:Future Evolution

The Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa is an international competition meant to convey to the world what is new in kogei ("craft"). This competition serves to pursue artistic works that demonstrate a rich sense of expressivity, using the techniques and skill cultivated within the world of kogei to bring excellent concepts and ideas to life. The goal is to find not just items that demonstrate superior artistic technique, but also kogei works that sharply demonstrate a deep sense of expressiveness of contemporary ideas. The materials and techniques to be used include ceramics, metal, dyeing and weaving, lacquer, dolls, wood, bamboo, glass, leather, cloissoné, paper, and more. We look forward to seeing the items you submit, providing a taste of a new era.

Application
Requirements
  • People of every nationality and age are welcome to submit works.
  • Items submitted must have been produced within the past three years by individuals or groups, and must not have been previously exhibited in museums or won awards.
Application Limit
  • Maximum one item per individual (or group).
Application
Guidelines

  1. Items that employ a modern point of view, using characteristic techniques and materials cultivated by kogei, and overflowing with individuality and expressiveness.

  2. Items made with ceramics, metal, dyeing and weaving, lacquer, dolls, wood, bamboo, glass, leather, cloissoné, paper, and more, or some combination thereof.

  3. Item shape and size Item shape: Three-dimensional or flat items. Item size: Combined height, width, and depth of no more than 300 cm, with a weight of no more than 50 kg. (For flat items, frame size and weight are included within these restrictions) (Please do not put glass or acrylic into the frame)

Application
and Judgment
Schedule

  1. Application Deadline
    Items must arrive by 11:59 p.m. Japan time on Friday, August 19, 2016.

  2. First Judging Round
    Early September, 2016
    Photos of the items and materials submitted by the applicants will undergo an initial judging round, and items that continue to the final judgment will be selected. Results will be reported only to entrants whose items are selected during the first judging round.

  3. Final Judgment
    Mid October, 2016
    Applicants who have submitted items that pass the first judging round will be requested to bring or send the items themselves to a designated location within a designated period. These items will then undergo final judgment, and the award winners will be selected.

Exhibition

Items that pass the first judging round, as well as the items receiving awards, will be placed on exhibit at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa from January 21 to February 11, 2017, for the 3rd Triennale of Kogei in Kanazawa.

Exhibition1: 2017 Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa
Dates: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21
to Saturday, February 11, 2017
Venue: People's Gallery A at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Exhibition2. Kanazawa Kogei Collection Exhibition (tentative title)
Dates: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21
to Saturday, February 11, 2017
Venue: People's Gallery B at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Talk Event
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2017 (planned)
Venue: Theater21 at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (planned)

Admission Free

Judges

Ronald T. Labaco
Independent Curator;
Former Senior Curator at Museum of Arts and Design, New York

Hyeyoung Cho
Art Director, Cheongju International Craft Biennale;
Specialist in Contemporary Korean Craft

KARASAWA Masahiro
Chief curator of Craft at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

OHI Toyasai
Ceramic artist; Recipient of the Order of Culture;
Member of the Japan Art Academy

NAKAGAWA Mamoru
Metal craft artist; Holder of important intangible cultural property

AKIMOTO Yuji
Director of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa;
Director/Professor of the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts

Awards

Grand Prize ………………………… 1,000,000 JPY (1 winner)　

Merit Award …………………………… 500,000 JPY (1 winner)

Special Recognition Award ……… 100,000 JPY (6 winners)

Grand Prize and Merit Award winners (or a representative of any group winning either) are requested to attend the award ceremony and to appear at the podium during the talk event. In order to ensure that Grand Prize and Merit Award winners may attend the award ceremony and appear at the podium during the talk event, partial payment of lodging and/or travel expenses will be provided.

Award Ceremony: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Talk Event: Sunday, January 22, 2017 (planned)

Application
Procedure

1. Application Deadline
Items must arrive by 11:59 p.m. Japan time on Friday, August 19, 2016.

2. Application Procedure and Details
Please read the below before applying:

  • Please fill out the necessary information using either the web application form or the paper application form. Your profile, information and commentary on the item to be submitted, etc. are required.
  • Please send one profile photo (portrait from chest or shoulders up).
  • Please send six photos of the item to be submitted (one photo showing the entire item for catalog publication, one photo taken from the front, one photo taken from the rear, one photo taken from each of the left and right, and one close-up photo).
    (Photos must be in JPEG format, 2–10 MB each)
  • Photos of the item will be used by the judges, as well as for the illustrated catalog.

[Applying through the Web]

  • Applications are accepted through our web form.

Application Deadline: Applications must arrive by midnight Japan time on Friday, August 19, 2016.
We are no longer accepting applications.
Thank you to all of our many applicants.

[Applying through the Mail]

  • We can send you an application form and the application guidelines. Please contact the secretariat.
  • When applying through the mail, please be sure to include your application form and a CD-R containing the six photos of the item to be submitted and your profile photo. Make sure that it will arrive by Friday, August 19 when sending it.

　　［Send Applications to:］
　　Secretariat of the Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa
　　4-48 Minato, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture JAPAN 920-0211

3. Exhibition Fee

  • There is an exhibition fee of 5,000 JPY per item submitted by applicants who are residents of Japan. This fee is waived for applicants who live outside of Japan.
  • When applying, pay your exhibition fee to the bank account below via bank transfer, making sure that it is received by Friday, August 19, 2016.
    (Bank transfer fees are to be paid by the applicant.
    Exhibition fee money that has been sent via bank transfer cannot be refunded under any circumstances.)

［Exhibition Fee Payment Bank Account　］　
Hokkoku Bank, Kanazawa Shiyakusho Branch,
Ordinary Deposit (北國銀行　金沢市役所　普通預金)　
Account No. 2959
Account Name: カナザワセカイコウゲイコンペティションウケツケガカリ

First Judging Round
(judged based on photos submitted)

  1. Judgment Based on Photos Submitted 　
    In early September, 2016, the judges will perform a first judging round based 　 on the photos of the items and the materials submitted by the applicants.

  2. Announcement of Results and Consent to Exhibition

    • The results of the first judging round will be posted on our web site.
    • Items that pass the first judging round will continue on to the final judgment and the exhibition.
    • Items that pass the first judging round will continue on to the final judgment
    • The applicants who have submitted items that pass the first judging round will be informed of the results and provided with the exhibition information and an exhibition consent form. Those who consent to exhibition of their items are requested to return their exhibition consent form to the secretariat during the period noted in the exhibition information.
Final Judgment
(judged based on the items themselves)

1. Judgment Based on the Items Themselves
(items that pass the first judging round only)
In Mid October, 2016, the judges will perform a final judgment based on the items themselves, viewed in person.
Award winners will be determined during this final judgment. Items that are not selected as winners will still be accepted for exhibition, but will not be awarded any honorary certificates, etc.

2. Shipment of Items (items that pass the first judging round only)

  • Period for Shipment/Transport of Items

    For applicants within Japan:
    Item Shipment Period: Tuesday, October 18 and Wednesday,
    October 19, 2016 (planned)
    Destination: Kanazawa city Monodukuri-kaikan, 4-80-1 Awagasaki-machi,
    Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0226
    If bringing the item in person: come between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    on Tuesday, October 18 or Wednesday, October 19, 2016 (planned).

    For applicants from overseas:
    Item Shipment Period: Overseas: Monday, October 3 to Friday,
    October 7, 2016 (planned)
    Destination: Shipped poste restante to designated airports
    (Kansai International Airport or Chubu Centrair International Airport (planned)


Regarding Shipment/Transport of Items (for applicants from domestics and overseas)

  • Applicants who have sent in their exhibition consent form are then requested to ship or bring their items to the designated location during the designated period.
    　The period and location will be noted in the exhibition information.
  • Any costs required to ship or otherwise transport items are to be covered by the applicants.
  • It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure to ship the item in a box or case that can safely withstand shipping.
  • Even in the event that applicants bring their item in person, applicants are still requested to store the item in a box or case that can safely withstand transportation.
  • Items that are brought in person without protective packaging will not be accepted.
  • The Executive Committee assumes no responsibility for damage incurred during shipment. If considered necessary, we request that the sender purchase insurance when shipping the item.
  • Unpacking and inspection of items will be carried out on the day that they arrive. If any damage, etc. is noticed while unpacking, the Executive Committee will contact the sender, and any restoration, insurance claims, or other measures taken after the fact will be handled by the sender.
  • The Executive Committee assumes zero responsibility in the event that an item is rendered unfit for final judgment or exhibition due to damage incurred during shipment.
  • In the event that an item other than the one that had passed the first judging round is shipped, the applicant will be disqualified, and will be ineligible for final judgment or exhibition.
  • For final judgment and the exhibition, submitted items will be set up based on the photos provided. In the event that particular caution is required for assembly or setup, please include sketches or instructions along with the exhibition consent form and the item.
  • Items submitted will be handled under strict supervision of specialists designated by the Executive Committee. However, in the event of complex assembly or setup instructions, the Executive Committee assumes no responsibility if this proves detrimental to final judgment or exhibition.

Regarding Shipment of Items (for applicants from overseas only)
All of the following apply to applicants submitting items from overseas:

  • All items submitted are to undergo customs clearance under the assumption that they will be returned after the exhibition.
  • For items with a CIF value of 10,000 JPY or more, please do not ship using the postal service or an international parcel-shipping company, as the item may be unable to clear customs when import duty taxes are taken into consideration. Even if the item provisionally clears customs, import duty taxes may be assessed when exporting the item from Japan. In these cases, import duty taxes will be considered the responsibility of the applicant submitting the item. "CIF Value" refers to the total value of the item being shipped, including shipping and insurance fees.
  • In the event of a customs clearance fee or shipping fees within Japan, these will be considered the responsibility of the Executive Committee.
  • In the event that necessary information for customs clearance is not included, or a value differing from that written on the exhibition application form is written on the invoice, there is a possibility that the item will not clear customs. Make sure that the same value is written on both the exhibition application form and the invoice.
  • The Executive Committee assumes zero responsibility in the event that an item cannot clear customs due to a problem or error in preparing the invoice, in which case the item may not arrive for final judgment and/or exhibition.
  • In the event that an applicant submitting items from overseas or a person designated by that applicant bring an item to Japan, and import duty taxes, a customs clearance fee, or domestic shipping expenses within Japan are incurred, these will all be considered the responsibility of the applicant, and none of these will be paid for by the Executive Committee.
  • Even in the event that shipping preparations are made by a proxy, the Executive Committee will directly contact the applicant submitting the item.
  • Do not use wood that is not heat-treated (e.g. wooden crates) for packaging items to be shipped. In the event that you do use wood, it must be either heat-treated or fumigation-certified. This is because, even in the event that an item packed in a manner that does not meet these requirements is successfully shipped to the Executive Committee, if the same wooden packaging is used to ship it back to the applicant, fumigation treatment will be necessary, and the Executive Committee is unable to spend the effort or money to do so. (Note: these restrictions do not apply to plywood.)
  • Please note that, due to the Washington Convention, items made using certain plants and/or animals may not clear customs within the designated period.

3. Announcement of Results and Notifications

  • The results of the final judgment will be posted on our web site.
  • Award winners will be notified in writing. Notification letters will be sent out approximately two weeks after judgment is finished.

    • 4. Critique Event

    The day after the final judgment, a critique event will be held by the judges. The time, venue, and other details will be posted on our web site once they are finalized.

Exhibition, Catalog, Item Management, and Item Returns

Exhibition
All items submitted for final judgment will be exhibited in the 3rd Triennale of Kogei in Kanazawa.

  • Catalog

    • An illustrated catalog of the items submitted for final judgment will be published.
    • In the event that an item passes the first judging round, but is not submitted for final judgment, it will not be included in the catalog.
    • One copy of the catalog will be presented to each entrant whose item was included in the final judgment round (one copy per group for group entrants).

  • Management of the Items Submitted

    • During the period between reception and return of the items submitted, the items will be insured by the Executive Committee, and unpacking, exhibition, etc. of the items will be handled with the utmost care by specialists designated by the Executive Committee, but we assume no responsibility for reparation payments in the event of a natural disaster.
    • Be sure to set a monetary value for the item sent, as it will be necessary for calculating the value that it will be insured for.
    • Any intellectual property related to any item submitted shall belong to the submitting applicant. However, the below apply with regards to use of said intellectual property:
      1. a. In the event of public relations activities or exhibitions by the Executive Committee and/or other public institutions such as local public bodies, permission to use the intellectual property of items submitted shall be assumed.
      2. b. In the event of printing illustrated catalogs, postcards, posters, or other printed materials and/or publicity materials, permission to use the images of items submitted shall be assumed.
      3. c. It shall be assumed that there are no particular limits on the period of use.
      4. d. With regards to images of items presented, in the event that for-profit use is expected, it shall be assumed that the intended user and the submitting applicant shall both participate in discussions.
      5. e. Items that receive awards, as well as items that pass the first judging round, may be re-photographed and used by the Executive Committee.
      6. f. Any reproduction or photography of items at the venue, with the exception of news coverage or documentation by the Executive Committee, shall be prohibited as a general rule.

  • Returning of Items (within Japan)

    • Following the end of the exhibition, the Executive Committee will commission a freighting company to return the items submitted. The items shall be packed with the utmost care by art-packing specialists designated by the Executive Committee, but in the unlikely event of any damage or accident being discovered upon an item’s return, please contact the freighting company with regard to any issues. The Executive Committee cannot confirm damages, and as such cannot do anything in such an event.
    • Shipping and insurance fees for items being returned within Japan shall be paid by the recipient upon delivery. However, any expenses related to packing shall be paid by the Executive Committee.

    Returning of Items (outside Japan)

    • When returning items submitted by applicants living outside of Japan, the Executive Committee will pay only for the expenses required to ship the item to an international airport in the submitting applicant's country of residence.
    • Any expenses incurred in clearing customs when entering the recipient's country, as well as in transporting the item from the international airport to the submitting applicant, shall be the responsibility of the submitting applicant.
    • Please note that, in the event that an item cannot be returned because the submitting applicant refuses to cover expenses related to clearing customs and/or transporting the item from the international airport to the submitting applicant, the item shall be destroyed.
    • In the event that a submitting applicant sends an item from overseas, but with a return address within Japan, shipping and insurance fees shall be paid by the recipient upon delivery. Please note that, in the event that the Executive Committee covered expenses related to a customs clearance fee or domestic shipping within Japan when receiving the item, the Executive Committee may submit a bill for the expenses incurred to the submitting applicant.
    • In the event that the submitting applicant refuses the return of the item, the item shall be destroyed by the Executive Committee. By consenting to exhibition of an item, submitting applicants also acknowledge their consent to this.
    • Items are returned approximately six weeks after the end of the exhibition.
    • Contact Us
    • Questions may be submitted in Japanese or in English in writing, by fax, or by e-mail sent to the secretariat of the Competition. Inquiries from overseas must clearly note the country of residence; otherwise, we may be unable to reply.
    • We cannot respond to long letters; please limit inquiries to a single A4-sized page.
    • Questions are answered following a discussion within the secretariat. Because of this, responses generally take one to two weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience.
    • We do not accept inquiries by telephone.
    • The judges' judgment is strict and fair; we do not accept inquiries regarding the reasoning behind judgment results, acceptance and rejection, or other matters related to the judgment.

    Fax: +81 (76) 237-2299
    E-mail: apply@kanazawa-kogeitriennale.com
    4-48 Minato, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture JAPAN 920-0211
    c/o Secretariat of the Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa
    Website: http://www.kanazawa-kogeitriennale.com


    Application Information Download(PDF)