Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery 今治タオル デジタルアートギャラリー
A hybrid cultural innovation project that transforms digital creativity into physical products, exhibitions, and sustainable economic value. This gallery bridges global artists and local industries.
デジタルの創造性を物理的な製品、展示、そして持続可能な経済価値へと変革するハイブリッドなカルチャー・イノベーション・プロジェクト。
The Japanese brand "Imabari Towel," promoted by the Imabari Towel Industrial Association (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Chairman Masaoka Yuji), opened the "Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery" on Saturday, May 25, 2024, as a new approach utilizing digital technology and generative AI to raise awareness of the appeal of Imabari towels and the manufacturing spirit of towel manufacturers to more people both in Japan and overseas.
The gallery will be comprised of three sections: "Imabari Towel Digital Art," "Imabari Towel x Digital," and "The Essence of Imabari Towels." After the opening, there are plans to develop real-life products at official shops and collaborative products using NFTs.
Imabari Towel is currently in its second phase, focusing on raising awareness and developing manufacturer brands based on the master brand "Imabari Towel." Starting in March 2023, the company has been actively holding manufacturer pop-up events at its touchpoint, the Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store (Minato-ku, Tokyo).
Now, by utilizing new technologies such as digital technology and generative AI, the Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery will be opened in a digital space to further increase awareness and gain fans among users both in Japan and overseas.
Artists involved in the digital development of world-famous brands are also participating in the production of this gallery. "The Essence of Imabari Towels'' will convey the essential values of Imabari towels: safety, security, and high quality. "Imabari Towel x Digital'' will introduce the manufacturing spirit of Imabari through an exhibition of towels by 13 towel manufacturers, each making use of their own originality. "Imabari Towel Digital Art'' will also feature an unprecedented collaboration with Imabari towels, where artists from Japan and abroad will create digital art based on the concepts of "towels'' and "Imabari.''
The opening date was on Saturday, May 25th, known worldwide as "Towel Day*," in recognition of the gallery's role in creating new forms of communication with users both in Japan and overseas. After the opening, the gallery will regularly change its exhibits and also plan to hold gallery-exclusive events. In addition to physical exhibitions at touchpoints "Imabari Towel Main Store" and "Imabari Towel Minami Aoyama Store," the gallery also plans to collaborate with digital artists to plan and develop products that utilize NFTs.
*Towel Day is a commemorative day for British science fiction author Douglas Adams. It is celebrated every year on May 25th. On Towel Day, Adams' fans carry towels modeled after characters from his masterpiece, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to express their gratitude to Adams and his work. This movement began when Adams passed away on May 11th, 2001, and was carried out over two weeks. Chapter 3 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy states, "To the interstellar hitchhiker, a towel is as immensely useful a thing to carry as any other." (See Wikipedia)
Gallery Composition
Imabari towel digital art
Digital art based on the concepts of "towels" and "Imabari" will be exhibited by leading digital artists from Japan and overseas. It will artistically express the Imabari towel production area and towel manufacturing in a way that has never been seen before.
Participating Artists
Annie Chiu "Generative AI work themed on Imabari and Imabari towels"
Annie Chiu
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she worked in New York and Los Angeles before residing in Amsterdam. As Executive Creative Director at advertising agency Soursop, she leads global creative teams for clients such as Nike. Her new home is surrounded by Imabari towels.
Saeko Ehara "Message"
Saeko Ehara
Kirakira is an artist and VJ based in Tokyo. Her latest work explores the fusion of AI and generative art. She continues to learn and explore the expression of sparkle from various angles.https://skohr.works/about
Aurora Achille "Ethereal Purity"
Aurora Achille
Currently residing in Rome, Italy. 3D/Visual Art and Digital Fashion Designer. Exhibiting at Milan Design Week 2023. Selected as one of the first nine members of Team Alpha, "GORJS," the world's first beauty creator DAO by L'Oréal, and presented an NFT collection. Chief Designer of the "MA3.0" project, which promotes regional revitalization with women across Japan. A fan of Imabari towels.
https://www.instagram.com/aurorae.___/
Imabari towel x digital
As the first step, 13 towel manufacturers will be holding a digital exhibition of towels they proudly recommend. The digital exhibits will be based on the towel manufacturers' manufacturing spirit and product features, showcasing the depth of towel manufacturing.
Participating towel manufacturers, first round
(in order of Imabari Towel Industrial Association company number)
Masaoka Towel Co., Ltd., Tanaka Sangyo Co., Ltd., Fujitaka Co., Ltd., Kusunokibashi Monori Co., Ltd., Taisei Towel Co., Ltd., Jonan Textile Co., Ltd., Yoshii Towel Co., Ltd., Oiso Towel Co., Ltd., Murakami Pile Co., Ltd., Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., Kamiwaki Co., Ltd., Maruyama Towel Co., Ltd., Kobo Oriza Co., Ltd.
The essence of Imabari towels
This is a space to help you deepen your understanding of the Imabari towel production area (79 companies), the Imabari towel brand logo, the Imabari towel brand quality standards (12 items), etc. You can also watch a video of the actual quality inspection.
Limited edition opening commemorative items (with NFC sticker)
As the first installment of "Imabari Towel x Digital," we will be selling commemorative opening items (3 types in total, limited to 10 sets of each) that include exhibited products from the 13 participating towel manufacturers. Each towel will have a special NFC sticker (with a digital certificate) attached, allowing you to find your favorite towel and develop a stronger sense of ownership.
Buyers can obtain the edition number and proof of ownership by scanning the sticker-type LGT tag with their smartphone. The sticker-type tag is from Legitimate, Inc. ( https://www.legitimate.tech/ ), a company that creates new value by linking digital and physical products.
How to enjoy the Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery
The Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery, which will be opened in metaverse platform oncyber, can be easily accessed from a PC or smartphone and is designed to be intuitive to operate.
Gallery image (PC/smartphone)
The Japanese brand "Imabari Towel," promoted by the Imabari Towel Industrial Association (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Chairman Masaoka Yuji), opened the "Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery" on Saturday, May 25, 2024, as a new approach utilizing digital technology and generative AI to raise awareness of the appeal of Imabari towels and the manufacturing spirit of towel manufacturers to more people both in Japan and overseas.
The gallery will be comprised of three sections: "Imabari Towel Digital Art," "Imabari Towel x Digital," and "The Essence of Imabari Towels." After the opening, there are plans to develop real-life products at official shops and collaborative products using NFTs.
Imabari Towel is currently in its second phase, focusing on raising awareness and developing manufacturer brands based on the master brand "Imabari Towel." Starting in March 2023, the company has been actively holding manufacturer pop-up events at its touchpoint, the Imabari Towel Minami-Aoyama Store (Minato-ku, Tokyo).
Now, by utilizing new technologies such as digital technology and generative AI, the Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery will be opened in a digital space to further increase awareness and gain fans among users both in Japan and overseas.
Artists involved in the digital development of world-famous brands are also participating in the production of this gallery. "The Essence of Imabari Towels'' will convey the essential values of Imabari towels: safety, security, and high quality. "Imabari Towel x Digital'' will introduce the manufacturing spirit of Imabari through an exhibition of towels by 13 towel manufacturers, each making use of their own originality. "Imabari Towel Digital Art'' will also feature an unprecedented collaboration with Imabari towels, where artists from Japan and abroad will create digital art based on the concepts of "towels'' and "Imabari.''
The opening date was on Saturday, May 25th, known worldwide as "Towel Day*," in recognition of the gallery's role in creating new forms of communication with users both in Japan and overseas. After the opening, the gallery will regularly change its exhibits and also plan to hold gallery-exclusive events. In addition to physical exhibitions at touchpoints "Imabari Towel Main Store" and "Imabari Towel Minami Aoyama Store," the gallery also plans to collaborate with digital artists to plan and develop products that utilize NFTs.
*Towel Day is a commemorative day for British science fiction author Douglas Adams. It is celebrated every year on May 25th. On Towel Day, Adams' fans carry towels modeled after characters from his masterpiece, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to express their gratitude to Adams and his work. This movement began when Adams passed away on May 11th, 2001, and was carried out over two weeks. Chapter 3 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy states, "To the interstellar hitchhiker, a towel is as immensely useful a thing to carry as any other." (See Wikipedia)
Gallery Composition
Imabari towel digital art
Digital art based on the concepts of "towels" and "Imabari" will be exhibited by leading digital artists from Japan and overseas. It will artistically express the Imabari towel production area and towel manufacturing in a way that has never been seen before.
Participating Artists
Annie Chiu "Generative AI work themed on Imabari and Imabari towels"
Annie Chiu
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she worked in New York and Los Angeles before residing in Amsterdam. As Executive Creative Director at advertising agency Soursop, she leads global creative teams for clients such as Nike. Her new home is surrounded by Imabari towels.
Saeko Ehara "Message"
Saeko Ehara
Kirakira is an artist and VJ based in Tokyo. Her latest work explores the fusion of AI and generative art. She continues to learn and explore the expression of sparkle from various angles.https://skohr.works/about
Aurora Achille "Ethereal Purity"
Aurora Achille
Currently residing in Rome, Italy. 3D/Visual Art and Digital Fashion Designer. Exhibiting at Milan Design Week 2023. Selected as one of the first nine members of Team Alpha, "GORJS," the world's first beauty creator DAO by L'Oréal, and presented an NFT collection. Chief Designer of the "MA3.0" project, which promotes regional revitalization with women across Japan. A fan of Imabari towels.
https://www.instagram.com/aurorae.___/
Imabari towel x digital
As the first step, 13 towel manufacturers will be holding a digital exhibition of towels they proudly recommend. The digital exhibits will be based on the towel manufacturers' manufacturing spirit and product features, showcasing the depth of towel manufacturing.
Participating towel manufacturers, first round
(in order of Imabari Towel Industrial Association company number)
Masaoka Towel Co., Ltd., Tanaka Sangyo Co., Ltd., Fujitaka Co., Ltd., Kusunokibashi Monori Co., Ltd., Taisei Towel Co., Ltd., Jonan Textile Co., Ltd., Yoshii Towel Co., Ltd., Oiso Towel Co., Ltd., Murakami Pile Co., Ltd., Watanabe Pile Textile Co., Ltd., Kamiwaki Co., Ltd., Maruyama Towel Co., Ltd., Kobo Oriza Co., Ltd.
The essence of Imabari towels
This is a space to help you deepen your understanding of the Imabari towel production area (79 companies), the Imabari towel brand logo, the Imabari towel brand quality standards (12 items), etc. You can also watch a video of the actual quality inspection.
Limited edition opening commemorative items (with NFC sticker)
As the first installment of "Imabari Towel x Digital," we will be selling commemorative opening items (3 types in total, limited to 10 sets of each) that include exhibited products from the 13 participating towel manufacturers. Each towel will have a special NFC sticker (with a digital certificate) attached, allowing you to find your favorite towel and develop a stronger sense of ownership.
Buyers can obtain the edition number and proof of ownership by scanning the sticker-type LGT tag with their smartphone. The sticker-type tag is from Legitimate, Inc. ( https://www.legitimate.tech/ ), a company that creates new value by linking digital and physical products.
How to enjoy the Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery
The Imabari Towel Digital Art Gallery, which will be opened in metaverse platform oncyber, can be easily accessed from a PC or smartphone and is designed to be intuitive to operate.
Gallery image (PC/smartphone)