[Overseas Expansion Case Collection vol.15] Utilize overseas exhibition experience to seize opportunities for new activities and creative ideas (Mr. Kazuhiro Inomata)

“Overseas Expansion Case Collection” vol.15 released!

The “Overseas Expansion Case Collection” series interviews people who have exhibited at events managed by Japan Promotion so far, and listens to valuable stories about reactions from countries around the world that they have actually witnessed and their subsequent activities.

In this section, which is the 15th in the series, Kumiko artist'sMr. Kazuhiro InomataWe asked about an episode in France that connected one overseas exhibition experience to the next, and his aspirations for artist activities that always require extraordinary energy, from manufacturing to promotion.

≪Click here for past articles≫
●vol.1 “Succeed in attracting tourists with a PR strategy that combines local characters and SNS! (Mr. Toshiaki Arisawa, Genki Creation Division, Susaki City)”
●vol.2 “Local reactions are the greatest harvest! Exhibited at Japan Expo Paris that got a lot of insight (Kyushu Economic Federation, Mr. Chiken Shigeyoshi)”
●vol.3 “Overseas exhibition experience triggered the “Oyabe Fairy Tale Party” (Mr. Yukihiro Funami, Tourism Promotion Division, Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture)”
●vol.4 “Rediscover local appeal through overseas exhibitions, improving on-site responsiveness is also a major weapon (Mr. Hiromi Kobayashi, Tochigi City Hall General Policy Department)”
●vol.5 “Making “Awa Odori” the Common Language of the World (Creative Dance Group Takarafune)”
●vol.6 “Pursuing World-Class Japanese Beauty with a Multifaceted Approach (KIRIE)”
●vol.7 “Calligraphy that conveys the way of life on the world stage (Fukushita Taro)”
●vol.8 “Aiming for a new dimension of calligraphy that stimulates the five senses (Miho)”
●vol.9 “Refining traditional skills and hearts on a global stage (“Amezaiku Tsuruji” Takako)”
●vol.10 “Conveying the appeal of “Japanese festivals” through drawing (Mr. Kawase Tadashi)”
●vol.11 “If you notice, the world is so close! I also devised ways to promote myself and exhibit (Origami Art Okamoto Yuko)”
●vol.12 “Know the Joy of Being able to Pursue Your Own Expression on the World Stage (Mr. Hoshino Tomotoshi)”
●vol.13 “Sharpen Your Inspiration and Go to the World in Your Own Style (Noriko Miyauchi)”
●vol.14 “Build fans around the world and open up new markets! Bringing traditional Japanese crafts to the next stage (Mr. EMU)”

≪About current activities≫

Participation in the Venice Art Fair was decided after exhibiting in France

Currently, I am participating in domestic and international art exhibitions and interior exhibitions while focusing on made-to-order production of products. Since we started exhibiting overseas, inquiries have increased not only domestically but also from around the world. I have participated in exhibitions in various countries until now, and it is the center of Europe where people from all countries gather,The wide variety of reactions from visitors becomes an important hint for subsequent productionIn that sense, I think activities in France are particularly important.
Also, participation in overseas exhibitions is not only about selling and promoting works,It is also very effective as a place to create opportunities for the next new activity.I was contacted directly by someone who knew about the work at the French exhibition I exhibited a few years ago, and it was decided that I would participate in the “Venice International Art Fair 2019” in April. While continuing to exhibit in various countries, I would like to someday have an overseas solo exhibition.

≪Advice/Future Goals≫

Convey your thoughts by “continuing”

When I participate in overseas exhibitions, I try to make effective use of my time to absorb as much of that country's culture as possible before returning home. I think that directly feeling the tastes, trends, and people's preferences in each country will have a positive impact on the expression of subsequent works.
Also, what is more important than anything else”ContinuingIt's”. As you continue, you'll understand what kind of exhibition suits you, and the number of people you know about that path will increase, and you may be introduced to good exhibitions. In Europe, there is a tendency for the concept of each event to be clearly dividedIt's very important to find an exhibition that suits your style.They express themselves through “continuing” by continuing to exhibit overseas, continuing to create works, continuing to disseminate information on SNS, etc. I think the accumulation of such challenges, big and small, will eventually lead to good results.

≪Know-how for success≫

[Before exhibiting]● Exhibiting at domestic art exhibitions and interior exhibitions ● Disseminating information through websites and SNS ● Publishing and appearances in various media (magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, etc.) through the “Niigata Industrial Creation Organization (NICO)”
↓
[Support and ingenuity]
● We research trends in each country in advance on the internet and reflect them in the exhibited works.
● In addition to the events to be exhibited, use your free time to visit other exhibitions and actively experience the culture and trends of each country.
★ Point ★
Europe tends to have a more clear division of concepts for each event than in Japan, so it's important to find an exhibition that suits your style.
↓
[Results]
● Not only sales during the exhibition period, but the exhibition itself led to subsequent PR, and domestic orders increased.
● Awareness on the international stage will increase through overseas exhibitions, and requests for estimates will be received from various countries.
★ Point ★
Among the buyers, people from similar industries, such as Italians working in the interior industry, were also included, and horizontal connections were expanded on a global scale through exhibitions.
↓
[After that]
● Continue activities both domestically and internationally with the goal of realizing overseas solo exhibitions. We make things that appeal to people's hearts with expressions that go beyond the boundaries of genres.
★ Point ★
Since stable orders have already been received domestically, we plan to focus on overseas activities in the future.

Thank you very much, Mr. Inomata, for sharing this valuable story!
In vol.16 that follows,The person in charge of Fukui City HallI would like to ask about episodes about image strategies for overseas expansion and collaborations with world-famous film actors that were realized when exhibiting at the Japan Expo Paris.

◎ Interviewee: Mr. Kazuhiro Inomata

[Events you exhibited at]
Japan Expo Paris USA (2013)
The 13th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (2017)
HYPER JAPAN “Miyabi” (2017)

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