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How can we overcome barriers that exist in society? / Call &Response
In collaboration with Heralbony Inc. and the General Incorporated Association, Connected Ink Village, Wacom launched a new initiative called "Call & Response” in September 2021.
Heralbony Inc. (referred to as "Heralbony" from here onwards) licenses both individual artists and those living in facilities throughout Japan to develop a diverse range of businesses with their art data. Having connections with over 30 facilities and approximately 150 artists, the HERALBONY GALLERY in Morioka City, Iwate prefecture, Japan showcases these unique artists.
The General Incorporated Association, Connected Ink Village (referred to as "Connected Ink Village" from here onwards) is an organization in Tokyo, Japan established by Wacom in February 2021 for the purpose of implementing social initiatives that sustainably support art, technology, and learning in the mid- to long-term.
The "Call & Response" project launched by the three organizations is an experimental initiative in which creators within the Connected Ink Village respond to a call by artists. These artists are contracted by Heralbony based on their artworks to channel their own unique expressions. The project pursues the possibilities of human expression without being bound within the framework of rules and categories designated by people or society. We will deliver an experience on how we perceive the "vibrations of the heart" such artworks can generate by experimenting in this style.
Many of the artists contracted by Heralbony are people with severe intellectual disabilities. Their works are called “outsider art” or “art brut”. Fumito Matsuda, Vice President and Representative Director of Heralbony says that “The artworks allow the artists to express what is in their hearts but cannot be easily expressed in words.” Call & Response provides a new way of responding to the call of art with art. Nobutaka Ide, President and CEO of Wacom and Representative Director of the Connected Ink Village, mentioned that one of the goals is to blur the lines between with and without disabilities in the excitement created by the process of connecting art and artists.
What kind of vibrations beating in our hearts do the chains of rules and structure evoke, and how can we overcome the barriers that exist in our society today? The Call & Response experiment continues.
*Quotes from the live streaming of the Call & Response Vol. 2.
Explore past Call & Response events:
Call & Response Vol. 1 (September 2021)
https://youtu.be/TiJ2v7UhOc4?t=931 (Connected Ink YouTube Channel)
• Satoru Kobayashi “Hanyu-no-yado” (My Sweet Home) x Hiroaki Matsubara (Jazz pianist and organizer), Ayako Igawa (content designer)
• Masahiko Kimura Giraffe No.2 x Masashi Onishi (Team IMPALA)
• Masahiko Kimura “Hikone-jo” (Hikone Castle) x Tsuyoshi Kaseda (Team IMPALA)
• Masahiko Kimura “Hikone-jo” (Hikone Castle) x MIDORI (Nora)
• Masahiko Kimura House in Berlin x Maki Yokoyama (Team IMPALA)
Call & Response Vol. 2 (November 2021 at the Connected Ink)
https://youtu.be/l_CJK08tXaQ (Connected Ink YouTube Channel)
• Keisuke Mori Star Man x Tamotsu Ito (Team KOPPA, Tamotsu Ito Architecture Office)
• Shunichi Iwase Beautiful Ladies x Team IMPALA (Tsuyoshi Kaseda, Masashi Onishi, Maki Yokoyama)
• Keisuke Mori Let it Be x Nora
• Fumie Shimaoka Universe × Shinnosuke
Call & Response Vol. 3 (February 2022 at the After Connected Ink)
https://youtu.be/Bvj7ZGOBb2A?t=4255 (Connected Ink YouTube Channel)
• Yu Takada Maze x SAAYA TAKAOKA
• Yu Takada Maze x Ogi & Hirotaka
• Yu Takada Maze x SAAYA TAKAOKA, KAHO GOTO, MIDORI
• Yu Takada Maze x MIZUKI MIZOKAMI, AKIKO MIWA
• Yu Takada Maze x Team IMPALA (Tsuyoshi Kaseda, Maki Yokoyama, Rieko Ogino)
• Yu Takada Maze x MIDORI, KAHO GOTO, YUKINA SHIMIZU, MIZUKI MIZOKAM
Memorialize your experience on a key tag
At Connected Ink 2024, we hosted a key tag-making workshop inspired by the theme of “Ordinary Days.” The vibrant characters featured in the key visual, designed by ktym, were brought to life with a dash of Creative Chaos.
High School Students Rising to the Challenge
Seigakuin High School, known for its focus on STEAM education, integrates Wacom pen displays into its curriculum. Enthusiastic students who love to draw took the lead in holding a digital coloring workshop, showcasing their creativity and artistic abilities.
Watch and Talk – Screening Event for Refugee Film Festival Partners
We held the Screening Event for Refugee Film Festival Partners to set the stage for thinking and talking about society and the environment with our team members.
Finding Connections to Society Through Wacom’s Instruments and Technology
We will present a comprehensive account of our journey on exploring ways to connect with society and the community through meaningful experiences, centered around the theme of ‘Finding Connections to Society Through Wacom’s Instruments and Technology.’
Reflecting on the Last Five Years: Progress and Future Trajectories of Social Initiatives
We will reflect upon our five-year journey with CEO Nobu Ide about the intention to connect the future of Social Initiatives with our Meaningful Growth.
Our Sparks. “Focus: The Autistic Superhero Loves Comic Art!” by Yvonne Wan
Discover the inspiring works of community creators who collaborate with us. Today, we feature “Focus: The Autistic Superhero Loves Comic Art!” by Yvonne Wan.
Back to the Forest/Connected Ink 2023
The theme of Connected Ink 2023 was 'Back to the Forest.' Together with our community, we shared our memories of returning to the forest of Creative Chaos.
"CREATE Program" Expanding Future Possibilities and Connecting Hopes
Wacom Canada has been involved with the "CREATE Program" at Sisler High School as a partner to support students who want to embark on career paths in the creative industry.
Our Sparks. “Join The Journey” by Arian Rahmatzai
The 'Our Sparks.' pages showcases community creators whose works inspire and collaborate with us. This time features Arian Rahmatzai's artwork, a German talent who interned at Wacom.
Supporting Children's Dreams of Becoming Creators - 1: Initiatives with Kinko Town
The aspiration of children who dream of becoming creators is what ignites our team members’ enthusiasm and drives many of our initiatives. One such initiative involved teaming up with an animation workshop in Kinko Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Wacom Yuify: Making the world a safer place for creators
Wacom Yuify is an innovative service being developed to authenticate creators' works by embedding invisible micro-marks into artworks and, therefore, addressing unique needs across various regions and cultures.
Initiatives in China – Bringing Digital Ink Technology to More People
Lannie Zhang, the only product manager in the Ink Division in China, took the time to talk to us about the initiatives planned to increase awareness and promote the use of digital ink technology.
Our Sparks. “At the beach in the early afternoon” by sammy
We would like to introduce the artworks by artists in Oiso Town, Kanagawa, Japan, where we have been working together to support the writing/drawing initiative.
Wacom Experience Center - A space for everyone to be creative
The Wacom Experience Center Portland was created for people to interact with the creative community in the city. We took a look back at its growth with Megan Davis, who has been playing an energetic role there.
Connected Ink 2022: What happens here is everything
Connected Ink 2022 opened with two key questions. Let’s take a look back at some of the sessions in Tokyo that explored them.
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Our Sparks. “Wind Carrying Light” by Syuro
We would like to introduce the artworks by artists in Oiso Town, Kanagawa, Japan, where we have been working together to support the writing/drawing initiative.
Read More
How can we support the “writing/drawing" initiative with Oiso Town?
The partnership with Oiso Town has developed into a city-wide initiative. We spoke with Tadakuni Tsubota of the Creative BU Retail Partnership about this initiative.
A side of the Connected Ink polyhedron - 2
How do team members see Connected Ink? The next team member is Yohei Himori who is involved in the planning and operation of Connected Ink together with Heidi.
A side of the Connected Ink polyhedron - 1
How do team members see Connected Ink? The first team member is Heidi Wang who has played a key role in the planning and operations when it all began in 2016.
How can we overcome barriers that exist in society? / Call & Response
In collaboration with Heralbony Inc. and the General Incorporated Association, Connected Ink Village, Wacom launched a new initiative called "Call & Response” in September 2021.
What Lingers in the Afterglow / Connected Ink 2021
Here’s a look back at the opening and finale of the nearly 70 sessions held that day and reflect upon what has happened since Connected Ink 2021.
Our Sparks.
“The spark of love” by Jacky Yang
Our sparks meet constantly changing situations, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. We called on our team members again to show how they see their spark in the world of today and the future.
Keep asking questions and moving forward / Connected Ink 2020
Connected Ink 2020 was the beginning of a new commitment and challenge for Wacom to continue asking those eternal questions that always play in our minds.
“Stage KOPPA”, a stage that connects stories
"Stage KOPPA" was created as a stage for Connected Ink 2020. It is a stage that changes its shape and role in response to different situations while connecting the various stories that occur there.
Our Sparks.
“Mam and Dad’s Child Interest” by Stella Wang
“Mam and Dad’s Child Interest” by Stella Wang
Our sparks meet constantly changing situations, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. We called on our team members again to show how they see their spark in the world of today and the future.
Our Sparks.
"A moment on an autumn mountain" by Takahiro Yamamoto
"A moment on an autumn mountain" by Takahiro Yamamoto
We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.
Online drawing class for elementary school students during stay-at-home period
Yoshinori Mita, a team member of Japan held an online drawing class together with FC KAZO and illustrator Suiiro to provide something fun for elementary school children to do during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period.
Wacom's new initiative through soccer
As an official partner, Wacom supports FC KAZO, a soccer club in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. We’re excited to introduce our new initiatives with this inspiring club.
Our Sparks.
"The spark is in you! Mirror portraits during times of isolation" by Oliver Madlener
"The spark is in you! Mirror portraits during times of isolation" by Oliver Madlener
We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.
Online Sketchnoting workshop for children during school closures
Our team members in Germany organized an online workshop “Young Wacom” for the children while schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support the "lives" of artists through customer support
Alex Duffey from our Americas Support team established a new program to support artists. We asked him about a story with Ms. Devon Bragg, the artist who inspired him to establish this program.
3. How KOPPA began /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
KOPPA began in April 2019. Tamotsu wanted to make something that can be used again after an exhibition. We asked Team KOPPA about their thoughts.
2. No need to destroy it anymore /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
We put it together ourselves, set it up, put it back, then travel together again. The Traveling KOPPA, our new display furniture came to be.
1.Meeting KOPPA /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
The story of the Traveling KOPPA
KOPPA started out as a challenge: Tamotsu Ito, an architect from Japan, wanted to utilize leftover building materials. Our meeting was pure happenstance.
Our Sparks.
“That Spark Inside” by Simone Wolters
“That Spark Inside” by Simone Wolters
We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.
Marketing lecture for future engineers
We gave a marketing lecture for students who are learning to be engineers at the National Institute of Technology Tokyo College.
Efforts by our sales member, who are responsible for a pen tablet until the very end
Every year, we take pen tablets that have been sitting in our warehouse and gift them to high school clubs and winners of high school art competitions to help students create digital contents.
For the Future of Education
Lifelong Ink x AI
Lifelong Ink x AI
"AI Ink for Education" was developed to capture eye movement information and pen movements while learning, in order to ascertain the characteristics of learning by each student and to create an educational environment suited to each student.
Wacom Intuos have been introduced in a school to make classes more fun and creative
Yoana Simeonova, a software designer working in Bulgaria, introduced Wacom Intuos in a school to make children's IT classes more fun.