Otomo Yoshihide to Direct 2017 Sapporo International Art Festival with Citizen Participation Focus

Otomo Yoshihide, renowned musician and composer, has been named the director of the 2017 Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF2017) by the Executive Committee of Creative City Sapporo. Set to take place from 6 August to 1 October 2017, this second iteration of the triennial festival poses the question, 'What is an art festival?' and seeks to engage Sapporo's residents in discovering answers that reflect local traditions and contexts. Yoshihide highlighted the importance of varied viewpoints, noting that 100 individuals bring 100 distinct ideas that don’t have to match. Initiatives starting in April 2016 include several projects aimed at community involvement, establishing the festival as a hub for shared artistic expression rather than a traditional curated showcase.