Announcement: Green Design Lab 2025 - Call for Participants (November 2025 - March 2026, Kyoto, Japan)

The Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) is pleased to announce the launch of Green Design Lab 2025, a new collaborative learning and creation program organized by the Green Knowledge Center (GKC) at RIHN.
This initiative invites art and design students, young artists, and designers to explore sustainability through creativity and cultural expression, and to co-create artworks that reflect the values of “use fully, repair, and circulate,” deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics. 

In the face of climate change, ecosystem disruptions, and other environmental challenges that are increasingly felt in daily life, the Green Design Lab 2025 seeks new, creative approaches to foster understanding, dialogue, and transformation toward a sustainable society. Hosted at RIHN—a transdisciplinary research institute that integrates the natural sciences, humanities, and arts—the program provides a platform for participants to learn, reflect, and create in collaboration with researchers, artisans, and local communities.

Participants will engage in:

• Introductory online/on-demand lectures on sustainability, circular aesthetics, and traditional crafts.
• Participation in the RIHN International Symposium on Capacity Building for Green Transformation (December 10–11, 2025).
• Workshops and mentoring sessions on sustainable materials, traditional crafts, and creative methods.
• Artwork production and exhibition in Kyoto (January–March 2026).

The program will culminate in a final exhibition (planned at cultural sites in Kyoto) showcasing works that communicate sustainability, cultural continuity, and creative dialogue to the wider public.

Schedule (Tentative)

The program welcomes university and graduate students in art and design, as well as young artists and designers (approx. 18–30 years old) interested in the environment, sustainability, or local culture.
No prior research background or artistic style is required — participants are encouraged to apply with free and creative ideas.

Participation fee: Free of charge

Partial support may be provided for travel or production costs upon consultation.

Selection:

Applicants should complete the application form by November 10, 2025 (first round).
Results will be announced by mid-November.
Preference will be given to applicants who can participate in the December symposium.

Participants can choose one or both of the following approaches:

Create artworks using their own artistic methods or materials.
Collaborate with traditional artisans to produce works (this year focusing on Japanese candles – warōsoku).

The copyright of artworks remains with the creators. However, the organizers may use the artworks, images, and records for educational and outreach purposes related to RIHN and GKC.

Contact

Green Knowledge Center (GKC)
Basic Research Department, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)
457-4 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan
Contact: Akimasa Miwa
Email: miwa[at]chikyu.ac.jp (please replace [at] with @)
Tel: +81-75-707-2208