2026.06 – present
CERN IdeaSquare, Geneva, Switzerland

Member: Yuri Tanaka

The falling transparent scintillating fibers emit blue light when exposed to radiation, including UV light and cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are constantly showering the earth, even though humans are oblivious to them. The emission of light subtly changes as the surrounding light changes over time. These fibers are also used in a science experiment at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider).

Special thanks: Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Photo: Yuri Tanaka (left, middle), Giulia Gaddi (right)

2026.02
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Akitaka Ariga, and Pavle Dinulovic

The flower has been a constant metaphor for beauty for over a thousand years in Japanese culture. Yet true beauty remains hidden, awaiting unveiling. This installation created a landscape consisting of a flowerless plum tree made of iron, surrounded by sounds generated in real-time through the detection of cosmic muons in a cloud chamber, and accompanied by a subtle scent of Japanese plum blossoms. In homage to the Noh play “Tōboku”, the plum tree signifies inner beauty – one that cannot hide its fragrance even in the darkness of night. The seeds of flowers are sown within our minds, destined to unfurl as in early spring.

Movie

mission∞infinity | space + quantum + art

In collaboration with: Makizuka Steel Factory, and Wamuu

Supported by: JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 24K15639, and THE ASAHI SHIMBUN FOUNDATION

Photo: Yosuke Nakagawa

2024.11 – present
CERN IdeaSquare, Geneva, Switzerland

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Kosuke Bando, Tamotsu Ito, Zhuoan Dai, Junyi Guo, Mao Hasegawa, Ryura Kawai, Rika Oosawa, Joh Yamasaki, and Michael Doser

This installation creates an open space and time in which we can share the delight of life within the universe. In collaboration with experts and students from architecture, art and design, and particle physics, the “Garden” was installed at IdeaSquare, a design and innovation platform at CERN. When natural light passes through the artisanal silk threads dyed in Kyoto, a moment of fluctuation emerges. As a part of the architectural whole, it enhances the experience of observing an ever-changing landscape.

London International Creative Competition (2015)
Shortlist in Create (art)

Special thanks: Tanakanao Senryoten

Supported by: Toshiaki Ogasawara Memorial Foundation, and Nomura Foundation

Photo: Marina Cavazza
Credit: CERN

2024.09
JKU MED Campus, Linz, Austria

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Akitaka Ariga, Chris Bruckmayr, Pavle Dinulovic, Umut Kose, and Rohan Sachdeva

A cloud chamber is a particle detector that allows us to directly observe radiation with the naked eye, including cosmic muons, enabling the design of an art installation meant to transform each detected muon into a visual trail and a corresponding sound, in real-time. In this everlasting cosmic ambivalence, there is beauty to be found not only in the attempt to keep life still, but also in the hope that every passing ushers in another unstill and transient being. This was presented at the Ars Electronica Festival.

Underlying Concepts

Movie

Ars Electronica Festival 2024

Supported by: Toshiaki Ogasawara Memorial Foundation, and JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 24K15639

Photo: vog.photo (left, middle), and Pavle Dinulovic (right)

2022.11

Sankaku Hiroba, Tokyo, Japan


Members: Yuri Tanaka (art direction), and Yoshifumi Tara (design)

Transforming the previous work “Prelude of the Sun” at the Kwasan Observatory, scintillating fibers were assembled in this installation at the Wacom’s cultural event Connected Ink 2022. These fibers are designed to emit blue light when exposed to cosmic rays or lights in a similar wavelength. The emission of light changes as the environement changes over time.

Special thanks: Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Photo: Show Kato

2022.11

Kwasan Observatory of Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Members: Yuri Tanaka (art direction), Yoshifumi Tara (design), Midori Ide (performance), and Hajime Fukuda (music)

At the observatory’s cultural event for the general public, this installation was presented along with a performance. With the glittering colors made by sunlight through the spectral filters, it creates a gentle atmosphere over the landscape. The shape of the installation with water implies the wave nature of light.


Underlying Concepts

Kwasan Observatory Special Open Day


Movie

Special thanks: KENIS, Ltd.



Photo: Show Kato

2021.11
Sankaku Hiroba, Tokyo, Japan


Members: Yuri Tanaka, Pavle Dinulovic, Umut Kose, and Chris Bruckmayr

As a series of performances at the Wacom’s cultural event Connected Ink 2021, it was presented based on the system that has developed through Particle Post – Letters from the Universe. Capturing cosmic muons and the parameters of solar wind in real time, the acoustics of wind bells and generated electric sounds spatially embrace audiences. This was entitled in homage to the novel Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Movie (short version)
Movie (full version)

Received the Art Renaissance Award from Tokyo University of the Arts (2022)

In collaboration with: Makizuka Steel Factory

Supported by: Austrian Cultural Forum Tokyo, and JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 19K13027

Photo: Show Kato

2021.11 – 12

Kwasan Observatory of Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Ryu Sakurai, Hajime Shimoyama, Ryo Takahashi, and Makizuka Steel Factory

Following the precious year of pandemic when the installation was unable to open for the general public onsite, this installation was presented with its elaborated design and the workshop with visitors at the observatory. Visitors can enjoy assembling butterflies as well as appreciating the brilliant colors that changes with sunlight and the environmental conditions.



Photo: Shintaro Miyawaki

2020.10 – 11

Kwasan Observatory of Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan


Members: Yuri Tanaka, Ryu Sakurai, Hajime Shimoyama, Ryo Takahashi, and Makizuka Steel Factory

In respect of the observatory’s long-term research about the Sun since 1929, this installation explores an artistic way of appreciating the hidden beauty of the Sun. These butterfly-shaped spectral filters, of which the design is based on a sunspot graph called butterfly diagram, make sunlight visible like a rainbow.

Photo: Daisuke Aochi

2019.09
POSTCITY, Linz, Austria

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Pavle Dinulovic, Umut Kose, and Chris Bruckmayr

Through interdisciplinary research that explores the unperceivable sounds of the universe in a poetic way, this installation was presented at the Ars Electronica Festival. Visitors can appreciate the sounds with light from the mailbox that detects cosmic muons in real time, which are constantly showering on the earth.

Movie

Ars Electronica Festival 2019

Awarded the 2020 Artistic Activities Special Grant from THE ASAHI SHIMBUN FOUNDATION (2019)

Supported by: JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 19K13027, Nomura Foundation, and THE ASAHI SHIMBUN FOUNDATION

Photo: Pavle Dinulovic (left, right), and Yuri Tanaka (middle)

2018.06 – 07
Globe at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland


Members: Yuri Tanaka, Aurélien Mabilat, and Neal Hartman

How can we happily coexist within the universe? In search of this question, visual images were created through dialogues with physicists, an engineer and a designer. Aiming to enhance visitors to feel connected with others and the universe, it was presented as a table design at the CineGlobe, an international film festival at CERN.

In collaboration with YUPO Corporation

Photo: Yuri Tanaka

2017.05
Gorky Park, Moscow, Russia


Members: Yuri Tanaka, Ryu Sakurai, Hajime Shimoyama, Ryo Takahashi, and Michael Doser

In the Polytech Festival of Science, Art & Technology, this installation was created through the workshop with visitors by making origami roses. With the concept of exploring the invisible, these were laid out on the map of constellations from the antipode of Moscow.

In collaboration with: Makizuka Steel Factory, and Gunma Astronomical Observatory

Photo: Yuri Tanaka (left), Hajime Shimoyama (middle), and the Polytech Festival of Science, Art & Technology (right)

2014.08 – 09
Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Japan

Members: Yuri Tanaka, Ryu Sakurai, Hajime Shimoyama, Ryo Takahashi, and Makizuka Steel Factory

In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the local entities, the festival on art and space was organized. In this installation, visitors can be surrounded by the reflection of the sky, which gives an experience as if they were in the universe.

Photo: Mitsuharu Kume

2014.06 – 08

Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Members: Takahiro Ueda, Tomohiko Ushioda, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Rie Tagai, Yuri Tanaka, Shiro Nakashima, Hiroyuki Moriwaki, Tomoe Moriyama, Keiko Yoshida, and Yukiko Watari

Through dedicated research with a curator, artists and researchers, a chronicle on the theme of art and space was presented for the exhibition: mission [SPACE x ART] beyond cosmologies. This shows a transition of art and space science in society.

Image credit: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

2013.12 – 2014.01

Miyanoura Port, Naoshima, Japan

Members: Yuri Tanaka (art direction), and Takaharu Ito (artwork)

In collaboration with the town of Naoshima, an island as well as a profound contemporary art site, this installation was presented at the park beside the main port. Each sphere was made by school children as their original imaginary moons. Moving with the wind, they gently illuminate the sky.

Photo: Daisuke Aochi