The Institut français and Institut français du Japon proudly unveil the selection of new residents for the prestigious 2025 Villa Kujoyama residency program. On June 20th, a distinguished jury finalized the selection of 14 projects, bringing together 17 talented artists who will immerse themselves in the cultural and creative landscape of Japan over the coming year. These artists will spend four to six months at Villa Kujoyama, exploring a wide array of disciplines including theatre, visual arts, crafts, architecture, and more.
Villa Kujoyama
©Frédéric Mery / Institut Français"
The 2025 Residents and Their Projects:
Agathe CHARNET - Himono-onna 干物女 : Que mettre au monde aujourd’hui ? (Theatre, 5 months)
César DEBARGUE - Nuages Flottants (Visual Arts, 4 months)
Régis FLOURY - TARSIA A TOPPO & YOSEGI ZAIKU (Crafts, 5 months)
Mark GEFFRIAUD - L’architecture traditionnelle japonaise, une écologie contemporaine (Visual Arts, 6 months)
Maxime MARION & Émilie BROUT - moëra (Digital Creation, 4 months)
Domitille MARTIN - Mondes Mouvants (Circus Arts, 4 months)
Théo MOUZARD & Marine ROYER - L’architecture de l’après - Prendre soin et réparer face aux catastrophes dans la ruralité japonaise : de la ressource au lieu, du paysage à l’objet (Architecture, 4 months)
Mona OREN - La cire Hazé, un trésor à explorer ! (Crafts, 5 months)
Delphine PANIQUE - "Choses qui perdent à être peintes" (titre provisoire) (Comics, 4 months)
Maël PÉNEAU - Mid-0 (Music, 4 months)
Martin PLANCHAUD - Shokudo (Gastronomy, 5 months)
Grégoire SCHALLER & Darius DOLATYARI-DOLATDOUST - grieving (Dance, 4 months)
Vincent TUSET-ANRÈS - Panorama du livre d'artiste au Japon / Savoir-faire traditionnels et pratiques contemporaines (Graphic Design, 4 months)
Marion VIDAL - BIJOU-BAMBOU & autres accessoires de mode (Fashion, 4 months)
A Record Number of Applications
This year's selection process was highly competitive, with 250 applications received from 293 artists and creators. The residency program was open to French or foreign artists residing in France for at least five years, as well as to Japanese artists collaborating with French counterparts. For the first time, scientists were also invited to apply in tandem with artists, enriching the diversity of proposals.
The Selection Process
The selection process involved multiple stages, including preselection and audition committees composed of experts from both the Institut français and Institut français du Japon. The final Franco-Japanese jury, chaired by Adèle Fremolle, Director of Villa Kujoyama, included prominent cultural figures such as Charles-Henri Brosseau (Cultural Advisor, Embassy of France in Japan), Delphine Fournier (Visual Arts Delegate, Ministry of Culture), and Reiko Setsuda (Curator, Hermès Foundation), among others.
Special Mentions: Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l'Intelligence de la Main®
In addition to the regular residency program, Villa Kujoyama and Institut français have also selected two recipients of the prestigious Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l'Intelligence de la Main®, who will undertake a one-month residency at Villa Kujoyama:
Guillaume LEHOUX (Object Designer)
Kristin MCKIRDY (Ceramist)
About Villa Kujoyama
Villa Kujoyama, a cornerstone of France-Japan cultural cooperation, is operated by the Institut français du Japon in coordination with the Institut français. Supported by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation, Villa Kujoyama fosters artistic exchange and innovation, contributing to the global influence of French and Japanese culture.
Upcoming Opportunities
The call for applications for the 2026 residency program will open in the first trimester of 2025.
More information: https://www.villakujoyama.jp
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