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Coral Islands Science and Art BiennaleCoral Islands Science and Art Biennale

Coral Islands Science and Art Biennale 2026

Biennale poster showing Kikai Island and the exhibition venues

The Sea Remembers, the Islands Begin to Speak. Venues: Sugira Beach, Kikai Underground Dam Tunnel, Onotsu Kamiya Community Center, Kikai Institute for Coral Reef Sciences, Sango Lodge, and Tebaru-banta Viewpoint.

2026.10.30 Fri - 11.08 SunAcross Kikai Island, Kagoshima, JapanFree admission to all exhibitions

Organizer:
Coral Islands Science and Art Biennale Executive Committee
Co-Organizers:
Kikai Institute for Coral Reef Sciences (NPO), Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)
Sponsorship:
Kikai Town Board of Education
Supporters:
Kikai Town, Japan Air Commuter Co., Ltd., Attoll Co., Ltd.

Concept

Science Reads, Art Translates, the Island Responds

Coral beneath the sea

Coral born beneath the sea becomes an island over time. Once on land, it stores groundwater, nourishes plants, and supports island life.

Coral records changes in ocean temperatures, currents, climate, and ecosystems. On Kikai Island, these memories are held not only in the sea, but also in geological strata, groundwater, stone walls, harbors, settlements, and everyday life.

Scientists read these changes; artists translate them into moving images, sound, light, materials, and embodied experiences. Together with islanders' memories and voices, they create a biennale that could emerge only here.

About the Biennale

Greetings

Science and Art Meet on Kikai Island

Takeshi Watanabe

General Producer

Takeshi Watanabe

General Producer

President, Kikai Institute for Coral Reef Sciences
Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Associate Professor, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

Yuko Hasegawa

Art Executive Director

Yuko Hasegawa

Art Executive Director

Former Director, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Visiting Professor, Kyoto University
Professor Emerita, Tokyo University of the Arts

Join Us & Support

Join and Support the Biennale

Volunteer

Be Part of Island Time

From October 31 to November 8, we are looking for volunteers to welcome and guide visitors at three venues.

Volunteer information

Crowdfunding

Support Art Born on the Island

Support the biennale through our crowdfunding campaign. Visit READYFOR for contribution options and rewards.

Support us on READYFOR

Images of the Island

Scenes of the Sea, Island, and Art

Social

Notes from the Island