【ニュース】京都にチームラボ新展示「Biovortex」没入型アート空間オープン

Immersive / 没入感のある（形容詞） – deeply engaging; makes you feel part of the experience

The VR game was so immersive that I felt like I was really inside the world.
そのVRゲームは没入感が強く、本当に世界の中にいるように感じました。

interactive / インタラクティブな（形容詞） – involving active participation

The interactive exhibit changed colors when I touched the screen.
そのインタラクティブな展示は、画面に触れると色が変わりました。

collective / 集団の・共同の（形容詞）– a group working together

The music collective released an album created by all members.
その音楽の集団は、全員で作ったアルバムをリリースしました。

sculpture / 彫刻（名詞）– a three-dimensional artwork

The stone sculpture stood in the center of the garden.
その石の彫刻は庭の中央に立っていました。

founder / 創設者（名詞） – a person who starts an organization.

The founder of the company began the business in her small apartment.
その会社の創設者は、小さなアパートで事業を始めました。

Contents

Article
Comprehension Questions
Summary
Discussion

Article

Biovortex: A New Art Experience in Kyoto

A new immersive art space has opened in Kyoto, offering visitors a unique experience that blends art, technology, and nature. The exhibition, called “Biovortex,” is created by teamLab, a world-famous art collective known for its digital and interactive installations. Biovortex is now the group’s largest permanent exhibition in Japan.

Opened on October 7, Biovortex includes more than 50 digital artworks displayed across 10,000 square meters of space. Visitors of all ages—from young children to the elderly—have been coming to explore the colorful and moving artworks.

One of the main attractions is an installation called “Morphing Continuum.” In this artwork, many glowing spheres float in the air while a giant digital sculpture rises from the ground. The sculpture moves slowly in midair and changes shape depending on the movements of the visitors. This means every person can experience the artwork differently.

teamLab’s founder, Toshiyuki Inoko, says the goal is to make people feel like they become part of the artwork. He explains that the boundary between the viewer and the artwork becomes unclear, giving visitors a new way to experience art. According to him, the installation can expand how people see and understand the world around them.

Many visitors have said they were surprised by how emotional and exciting the experience was. Dimitri VanCorstanje, a 25-year-old visitor from the Netherlands, said the exhibition was “just wonderful” and made him feel like he was inside the artwork rather than simply looking at it.

teamLab was founded in 2001 by a group of artists, engineers, and architects. Since then, their exhibitions have expanded to many countries, including the United States, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. One of their famous exhibitions, teamLab Planets in Tokyo, set a Guinness World Record in 2023 with more than 2.5 million visitors in a single year.

_{Source: Japan Times}

Comprehension Questions

Answer the questions following the article in English.

Where is the Biovortex exhibition located?
How many digital artworks are included in Biovortex?
What happens to the sculpture in “Morphing Continuum” when people move?
What does teamLab founder Toshiyuki Inoko say about the experience?
In what year was teamLab founded?

Summary

In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.

Discussion

Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.

Do you think digital art is more exciting than traditional art? Why or why not?
How do you think interactive technology changes the way people enjoy art?
If you could create your own digital artwork, what would it look like and how would people interact with it?