【The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd.】 “CONNECT⇄_ Feel the stiffness and comfort” will be held in the Okazaki area of Kyoto from Friday, November 28th to Sunday, December 14th!
The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. Press release: October 15, 2025 To Members of the Press “CONNECT⇄_ Feeling the Stiffness of Comfort” will be held in the Okazaki area of Kyoto from Friday, November 28th to Sunday, December 14th! 17 days for people with and without disabilities to think together about diversity and an inclusive society. We will create a space where you and I can unravel our “comfort” — an experience of “comfort.” Please feel free to join us! The Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Kyoto Shimbun are running a project called “CONNECT⇄_ ~Connecting the Stiffness and Comfort” to bring together people with and without disabilities to think about, discuss, and practice ideas about diversity and the nature of an inclusive society through art. “Comfort” will be held from Friday, November 28, 2025, to Sunday, December 14, 2025. This project brings together art museums, libraries, theaters, zoos, exhibition halls, and other cultural facilities in the Okazaki area, Kyoto’s cultural zone, to provide easy access to culture and the arts for everyone, regardless of disability or background. The theme for the sixth event, held in 2025, is “Comforting the Stiffness of Comfort.” We will offer 17 programs, including exhibitions, workshops, and talks, at six cultural facilities in the Okazaki Park area of Kyoto, creating a space for you and me to unravel our “comfort”—a space for experiencing “comfort.” Please feel free to join us.
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Prefecture, Kyoto City, National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Kyoto Prefectural Library, ROHM Theatre Kyoto (Kyoto City Music Arts and Culture Promotion Foundation), Kyoto City Zoo 【Sponsored by】 NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Station, KBS Kyoto, FM Kyoto 【Supported by】 ] Kyoto Arts Festival for Persons with
Disabilities Executive Committee, Kyoto Organization for the Promotion of Culture and Arts for Persons with Disabilities, Kyoto City Miyako Messe Industrial Promotion Hall & Kyoto Museum of Traditional Industries (Kyoto Industrial Promotion Center Co., Ltd.), Nihon Design Museum, Kyoto Hearing and Speech Impaired Welfare Association, Nazuna Gakuen Social Welfare Corporation, Tanpoponoye Foundation [Admission Fee] Free [Official Website]https://connect-art.jp/ [Inquiries] “CONNECT⇄_” Secretariat (Kyoto Shimbun COM Sales Department, Contacts: Iwasaki, Mukai, Nishimori) Tel: 075-255-9757, Fax: 075-255-9763 (Hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00) 《CONNECT⇄_ provides support so that everyone can enjoy and participate! 》 (Reasonable Accommodation Initiatives at CONNECT⇄_)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-115a4c388d6e3fdb9ca785b865ab6036-325×216.jpg Since its launch in 2020, CONNECT⇄_ has provided as much support as possible for viewing and participation, so that everyone can participate. Anyone can apply for and participate in each program and event, regardless of whether they have a disability or not. For each program, we will arrange sign language interpretation, subtitles, audio guides, etc. as needed. We will also do our best to accommodate visitors who request sign language interpretation, wheelchair seating, etc. Please feel free to contact the secretariat with any requests or inquiries. In addition, we have posted videos introducing each facility in sign language and text, created in 2020 and 2021, below. For more information, please see the “Accessibility” page on our website. https://connect-art.jp/accessibility/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-f8393258cae13acbd992777713c243cc-520×325.png Facility Introduction Video (The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto) [CONNECT⇄_Program – A program planned and implemented in collaboration with multiple cultural facilities] In addition to the programs listed below, a variety of other programs are planned. Details of all programs can be found on the CONNECT⇄_ website
(https://connect-art.jp/). For events requiring advance registration, applications can be made on the website or by phone (075-255-9757). ■ “Feeling the Comfort of Stiffness” Exhibition On the day of your visit, come here first. This is the place where you can gather information about CONNECT⇄_’s concept and events. Now in its sixth year, CONNECT⇄_ is experimenting with various ideas in this exhibition to reexamine the meaning of the word “symbiosis.” Starting with the somewhat strange neologism “kokochiau,” why not get everyone thinking about what symbiosis really is? Construction and design: TAIYA Graphic design: Neki inc. Cooperation: Hiroaki Itagaki (NPO i Collaboration Kobe) and others Workshop Design: Yusuke Kurazono
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-4d02396781e995c6365d6cfacecc66e5-831×340.jpg Scenes from last year’s event ■Talk to Consider Coexistence, Diversity, and Accessibility Now in its sixth year, CONNECT⇄_ will hold a talk event with guests to look back on the past five years and reconsider what the “coexistence” that CONNECT⇄_ aims for truly is. 1. December 14th (Sun) 11:00-12:30 “Looking Back on Five Years of CONNECT⇄_” ★Pre-registration Required Staff from CONNECT⇄_
participating facilities will look back on the past five years. Fan: Yukako Ogura (Program Director, ROHM Theatre Kyoto), Yue Kageyama (Curator, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art), Hidefusa Sakamoto (Senior Advisor, Kyoto City Zoo), Saki Matsuyama (Researcher, Curatorial Department, National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto), Yuko Hayashiya (Moderator: Culture Department, The Kyoto Shimbun) Venue: National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, 1st Floor Auditorium 2. Sunday, December 14, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM “Rethinking ‘Symbiosis’ in Cultural Facilities” ★Pre-registration required Accessibility researchers and practitioners will reconsider “symbiosis” in cultural facilities, drawing on past activities of CONNECT⇄_. Speakers: Sho Kawai (Visiting Researcher, Center for Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University), Toshio Takeuchi (Senior Curator, Tokushima Prefectural Museum of Modern Art), Miyuki Tanaka (Curator, Accessibility Researcher, Certified Social Worker), Takayuki Shiose (Moderator: Associate Professor, Kyoto University Museum) Venue: 1st Floor Auditorium, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-39ad16635821a3d8d4ea6ce9bffb6d8d-792×528.jpg Scenes from last year’s event …Other events in the “CONNECT⇄_ Program” include the “Let’s Explore Okazaki Park! CONNECT⇄_ Stamp Rally,” where those who collect stamps will receive a CONNECT⇄_ original commemorative gift, and the “CONNECT⇄_ Special Shop Tour,” where special corners will be set up in the shops of four facilities featuring products related to the expression of people with
disabilities. [Participating Facility Program – Unique exhibitions and workshops utilizing the unique features of each cultural facility] ■The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto Workshop “Communicating What You See”★Pre-registration required This workshop encourages
participants to express and communicate the colors, shapes, and feelings of pictures and three-dimensional objects through body movements, without relying on sign language or voice. Date and time: December 7th (Sunday) 1.10:30-12:00, 2.14:00-15:30 Venue: Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art, 1st floor auditorium, etc. Instructors: Sadashi Tokue (Art Traveler), Tomomi Yokoo (Artist) Target audience: Anyone (children in the third grade of elementary school and below must be accompanied by a parent or guardian) …In addition, on Saturday, November 29th, “The Museum Only Your Hands Know – 7th Annual We will be hosting a “Casual Viewing Program,” and throughout the CONNECT⇄_ event, we will be hosting the “Comfort Plaza” and
“Comforting the Comfort of Comfort” exhibitions in the first floor lobby.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-5f311db8b9ca49140e877326894580d3-632×421.jpg Scenes from past events ■Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art Appreciating each other’s work: Takayuki Mitsushima x Tatsuo Kawaguchi (video exhibition) This exhibition features footage of blind artist Takayuki Mitsushima and artist Tatsuo Kawaguchi, whose work focuses on the theme of “relationships,” appreciating each other’s work and engaging in dialogue. Date and Time: Throughout the exhibition period (closed on Mondays) Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building, 2nd Floor Lounge In cooperation with: Shiga Prefectural Museum of Art *Due to the replacement of exhibited artworks, the hallway in front of the lounge will be closed from 4:00 PM on Sunday, December 14th. If you would like to enter, please speak to the security guard near the elevator, who will guide you.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-42157b6b6c2cec3b6e0821986a7a2a53-431×335.jpg Tatsuo Kawaguchi, Relationship – Seeds, Phototropism, 1999, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art ■Kyoto Prefectural Library Exhibition “Inbound Tourism in Kyoto 100 Years Ago” View materials and AR to show you what tourism in Kyoto was like a hundred years ago. Date and Time: November 8th (Saturday) – December 14th (Sunday) (Closed Mondays and the 4th Thursday of each month) Venue: Kyoto Prefectural Library, 2nd Floor Knowledge Base …In addition, a talk and workshop titled “So that everyone can enjoy reading (advance registration required)” will be held on Saturday, December 6th.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-bc249517b74dd83cf2424a1ec4e7ea34-431×323.png Last year’s exhibition scenery ■Kyoto City Zoo Experience the Voices, Colors, and Shapes of Animals with Ontenna 2025★Pre-registration required Use the “Ontenna,” which transmits sound characteristics to your body, to experience animal sounds through vibrations and light, accompanied by commentary from the developers and staff. During the CONNECT⇄_ event, a panel exhibition will also be held within the zoo (admission fee required for the panel exhibition). Date and Time: November 29th (Sat) and 30th (Sun), 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM both days Venue: Kyoto City Zoo and Lecture Room Instructors: Tatsuya Honda (Guest / Developer of “Ontenna”, Fujitsu Ltd.), Hidefusa Sakamoto (Senior Advisor, Kyoto City Zoo) …On the same day, November 29th (Sat) and 30th (Sun), starting at 1:30 PM, a workshop titled “Let’s Touch the Zoo (Advance Registration Required)” will be held, and throughout the CONNECT⇄_ event, a “Stiff” toy will be on display at the Library Cafe. We will be holding an exhibition entitled “Feeling Comfort.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-25b303f007a2fcb53d62395ed091a151-431×288.jpg Scenes from last year’s event ■ROHM Theatre Kyoto A dance performance where anything goes A dance performance with no viewing etiquette rules. Accompanied by electronic accordion music. Feel free to dance along or dabble in and out as you watch. There will also be time to share your impressions at the end. Date and time: December 13th (Sat) 1.10:30-11:15, 2.14:00-14:45 *30-minute performance 15-minute chat time with sign language interpretation Venue: ROHM Theatre Kyoto North Hall Choreography and composition: Yu Otani (Grand Ballet Dance) Music and performance: ryotaro. Featuring Ryonosuke Endo, Moe Nakatani, Mika Fujiwara, and Yu Otani. …In addition, throughout the CONNECT⇄_ event, an exhibition titled “Feeling the Stiffness of Stiffness” will be displayed in the promenade.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-9ff542ebb1f6e5bac77d177793022f01-431×283.jpg Scenes from past artist performances (photographed by Shunsuke Sakai) [Partner Program – An exhibition during the event to experience the works and expressions of people with disabilities] ■The 31st Kyoto Special Art Festival Works by people with disabilities in Kyoto Prefecture are open to the public and on display in seven categories: painting, ceramics, photography, calligraphy, haiku, senryu, and various crafts. Come see works that shine with individuality and talent. Date and Time: December 12th (Friday) – 14th (Sunday), 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Venue: Nitzu Design Museum (Kyoto City Miyako Messe Industrial Promotion Hall, B1F) Organized by: Kyoto Arts Festival for Persons with Disabilities Executive Committee
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-b52e36f951785dcc4db6fdd56e0bf5aa-606×404.jpg Scenes from last year’s event ■Able Art Movement 30th Anniversary Exhibition A special exhibition will be held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Able Art Movement, an art movement that redefines art by people with disabilities. The exhibition will showcase the movement’s 30-year history, products that utilize the creativity of people with disabilities, and various examples of activities that connect people and society through art. Date and Time: November 28th (Friday) – 30th (Sunday) *Event times vary depending on the date. Please visit the Tanpoponoye website for details. Venue: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Hall of Light Organizer: Tanpoponoye Foundation Official website:
https://tanpoponoye.org/news/general/2025/09/100020430/
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-f494347887328fe1d29416bb3a0608f6-606×455.jpg エイブル・アート・ムーブメント 30周年記念フォーラム（展示） メインビジュアル ■なづな展2025
京都市東山区にある就労継続支援B型と生活介護の多機能型施設「なづな学園」による展覧会。利用者による自主製品や創作品が多数展示され、一部製品は購入もできます。 日時：12月12日（金）～14日（日） 10:00～17:00（最終日16:00まで） 会場：京都市勧業館みやこめっせ 2階 美術工芸ギャラリーA・B 主催：社会福祉法人なづな学園
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/108310/180/108310-180-9a3cf95a8cfae95f2bde2bb70437114a-606×405.jpg 昨年度の開催風景 【こちらもおすすめ！ -CONNECT⇄_と関わりのある協力団体による催しを紹介します。 】
■エイブル・アート・ムーブメント 30 周年記念フォーラム Space for the Next Things
「エイブル・アート・ムーブメント」の現在とこれからの社会にとって必要なアートの力・文化についてさまざまな視点で考え、提案する3日間のフォーラムが開催されます。出演者など詳細は「たんぽぽの家」ウェブサイトをご確認ください。 ※本イベントは有料です 日時：11 月 28 日（金）～30 日（日） 会場：京都市京セラ美術館 講演室
詳細：https://tanpoponoye.org/news/general/2025/09/100020430/
■2025年度共生の芸術祭「いま、なにしてる？」巡回展
毎年テーマを設け、京都府内外の障害のある方の表現を幅広いジャンルで紹介する、今年で12回目を迎える芸術祭です。
※開催時期が異なります。ご注意ください。 日時：2026年2月4日（水）～8日（日）10:00～18:00 会場：市民交流プラザふくちやま 市民交流スペース・ギャラリー（福知山市駅前町400番地） ■会場アクセスについて
CONNECT⇄_プログラムの会場である京都国立近代美術館（京都市左京区岡崎円勝寺町26-1）へは、以下の交通機関が便利です。 〈京都市営地下鉄東西線〉 「東山」駅下車、1番出口より徒歩約10分 〈京都市バス〉 「岡崎公園 美術館・平安神宮前」下車すぐ 「岡崎公園 ロームシアター京都・みやこめっせ前」下車、徒歩5分 「東山二条・岡崎公園口」下車、徒歩約10分 ■WEB＆SNS
【WEB】https://connect-art.jp/
【Ｘ（旧Twitter）】https://twitter.com/CONNECT_KYOTO
【Facebook】https://www.facebook.com/CONNECT.ART.KYOTO
【Instagram】https://www.instagram.com/connect_art_kyoto/
【YouTube】https://www.youtube.com/@connect_art_kyoto
（令和７年度文化庁委託事業「障害者等による文化芸術活動推進事業」） 当リリースの詳細について
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