Tomoya WATANABE Archivist / Document Coordinator

Born in 1984 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tomoya attended Media & Art Course at the Department of Information Design, Tama Art University. In the secluded environment, he studied the production of artworks using computer, whilst getting involved in web magazine making and art projects. After completing the course, he became a research lab assistant, though left the position after a year as the job didn’t suit him. He transferred to the university’s library that was about to reopen after its renewal, with new design by Toyo Ito. He was involved from the early stage of developing the concept, and after it opened, he managed the space built within the library.

Until today, Tomoya has been also active working on his own art projects which he continues since he was a student, and presented his solo works in such exhibitions as “transmediale 2014”(2014 / Berlin), “Illuminating Graphics”(2014 / Tokyo), and “Materializing II”(2014 / Tokyo). As for his group activities, he has been a member of few groups including a community associated with media art called “Omoide-Yokocho Academy of Media Arts and Sciences” since 2010, “Internet Reality Study Group” which was established within NTT Intercommunication Center in 2011 discussing about forms of expression in this post-internet age, and also a secretive online community ”IDPW” since 2012.

Since he joined YCAM in August, 2010, Tomoya has been overseeing the documentation of exhibitions and performances, as well as the maintenance of platforms such as “YCAM Re-Marks”, and production and direction of portal websites. In this land of Yamaguchi which is located on the edge of Japan’ main island, he has been exploring and seeking the cutting-edge methods for documenting and communicating.