MUTEK.JP

The 7th Edition of MUTEK.JP took place from December 7 to 11 in Tokyo with the support of the Agency for Cultural Affairs as part of the “2022 Strategic Arts and Culture Creation Promotion Project”. After two years of hybrid programming joining Japanese artists in the physical with international collaborations in the virtual realm, this 7th Edition saw a return of international performers to the festival stages in Tokyo. A total of 47 artists from 10 different artists presented a total of 30 performances across 10 venues. This 7th Edition also marked the arrival of the professional MUTEK.JP Pro Conference. Hosted at Shibuya Scramble Hall the conference explored the most recent developments in digital creativity including Artificial Intelligence, XR & Immersive Media, Web 3 & the Metaverse, and the Future of Festivals.

In 2021, the 6th edition of MUTEK.JP returned to the physical realm in full force by extending the length of the festival and the size and range of venues to its 2019 format. From December 8 to December 12, 2021 the 6th edition created a space for audiences to return to the joy of experiencing live music and audiovisual performances. The festival was hosted across 5 venues including the Miraikan Museum and the LINE CUBE Shibuya Theatre. The 2021 festival edition was supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan aimed at building and promoting Japanese culture and arts through creating economic value and enhancing international communication and collaboration.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic MUTEK.JP hosted its 5th anniversary edition from December 9th to 13th, 2020, in a hybrid format, connecting physical spaces in Tokyo with local and international audiences through our virtual festival platform. The physical performance program took place from December 10th to 12th at Shibuya’s Stream Hall, presenting 3-days of groundbreaking performances of electronic music and audiovisual art. The virtual festival extension saw the convergence of the two artistic communities of Japan and Mexico in an ambition to explore new virtual playgrounds to overcome physical disconnection and social isolation.

The 4th Edition of MUTEK.JP, which took place from December 11 to 15, 2019 was loaded with 5 days of audiovisual experiments, sonic explorations, deep dive into new educational models, and community building efforts in both familiar and innovative ways. The biggest change in 2019 was the relocation of the festival back to Shibuya. Many things have changed in and around Shibuya with progressive forms of energy brewing under the direction of Shibuya City to become not only Japan’s hub but as well as Asia’s technological and creative core. Beyond a doubt, the time was ripe to circle back to where it all began in 2016.

For it’s 3rd edition MUTEK.JP returned to Tokyo’s Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation held November 1-4, 2018. In addition to the famed museum the 4-day festival extended its program into the heart of Tokyo, returning to its inaugural venue WWW / WWW X and an all-nighter at UNIT in Ebisu.

From November 3 to 5, 2017, MUTEK.JP returned for its second edition headquartered in the futuristic setting of Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, Tokyo. Following its inaugural 2016 edition MUTEK.JP showed its intent on establishing a recurrent electronic music and digital arts festival in a city reputed for its innovative culture, but previously without such a contemporary framework.

In 2016 MUTEK.JP arrived in Tokyo for its inaugural edition taking over Shibuya’s WWW/X venue and the Red Bull Studios Tokyo for 3 days laden with immersive performances, audiovisual experiments, and the latest the local and international electronic music scenes have to offer. In extension of the MUTEK mandate the festival arrived with a mission to provide a showcase of local talent, while connecting it with the international scenes, developing the local community on the way and fostering new exchanges on and off the stages.