Hijikata Dai | "Exhibition Technology" and "Education"
Summary
This article features Dai Hijikata, an artist and installer, discussing the often-overlooked importance of "exhibition technology," which supports the realization of exhibitions, contrasting it with production or curation skills. Exhibition technology is defined as the comprehensive skill set required to safely and optimally install and remove artworks under various constraints like time, space, and material strength—essentially, the technology to create an environment where works can be viewed safely and securely. Due to the diversification of artistic expression, Japanese art universities are increasingly addressing this, with some establishing related courses or holding workshops, although a specialized academic society for this field is lacking. Hijikata notes that acquiring this skill involves observation and verification, offering benefits like greater control over artwork details and enhanced collaboration, but also drawbacks such as time investment and costs. Ultimately, exhibition technology is presented not merely as construction skill but as a means for creation and communication, suggesting the need for its formalization through academic societies and dedicated courses.
(Source:artscape)