Researcher
*1988 in New York/US, lives and works in Tokyo & Zurich
Mayumi Arai (*1988) is a visual artist / researcher. She has been doing collective artistic practices with several artists and non-artists internationally. In 2015 she started to work together regularly with an artist Nina Willimann (*1982), under the name Willimann/Arai (Zurich/Tokyo). Their work involves questioning modern and colonial dichotomous narratives, such as West/East, Self/Other, and Nature/Culture. In collaboration with visitors, local communities, and experts, they create arrangements and narratives of the ‘in-between’ in context-specific and research-based working processes.
https://willimannarai.net
2023 – Research associate, Cultural Analysis & Transdisciplinary Studies, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)/CH
2021 – 2023 Postdoctoral Fellow, Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts /JP
2021 – 2022 Academic Guest, History (Global History), Zurich University (UZH)/CH
2016 – 2021 PhD, Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts/JP
2012 – 2016 MA, Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts/JP
2015 Semester program Transcultural Collaboration, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) etc./CH & HK
2013 – 2015 Photography, University for applied Arts, Vienna /AU (exchange student)
2008 – 2012 BA, Printmaking, Musashino Art University, Tokyo/JP
Solo Exhibitions
2022 The gift exercise/Invitation 7: Swiss National Park, Nairs Lab, Fundaziun Nairs, Scuol/CH
2019
The gift exercise / Invitation 4: Taiwan, Tsung-Yeh Arts & Cultural Center, Tainan/TW
The gift exercise / Invitation 2.2: Zurich, Material, Zurich/CH
2017
All the space and time left behind me, Central Saint Martins, London/UK
Nothing happened. It’s already happened, Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo/JP
Group Exhibitions (selection)
2023
“gift” – toxische Geschenke, Hof Blum, Samstagern, Zurich/CH
Art Festival Zur frohen Aussicht, Ernen/CH
2022
Kunststipendien der Stadt Zürich, Helmhaus Museum, Zurich/CH
Bar Bleu, Gastatelier Gleis70, Zurich/CH
KUMANONISUMU!, Kumano City Cultural Exchange Center, Mie/JP
2021
A Forest of Many Worlds / School of the forest, la_cápsula, Zurich/CH
2020
Am nächsten Tag ging die Sonne auf, Helmhaus Museum, Zurich/CH
2019
Taipei Art Awards, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei/TW
Werkschau 2019 (Canton of Zurich), Haus Konstruktiv, Zurich/CH
Milan Design Week, Milan/IT
2018
Art-72rooms Fair, Hotel Xintiandi, Shanghai/CN
Spoken / Unspoken, McaM (Ming Contemporary Art Museum), Shanghai/CN
My grammar and (y)ours?, OnCurating Project space, Zurich/CH
Taroko Arts Residency Project ( I & II ) / TheCube Project Space Taipei, Taipei/TW
It’s just about we, Ausstellungsraum Klingental, Basel/CH
Obi vol.04 Shoei Dormitory Stories, Obiya-Stematsu Shoei Dormitory, Kyoto/JP
2017
Nakanojo Biennale, Nakanojo/JP
KUMANONISUMU!, Kounoue Junior high school, Kumano, Mie/JP
Atami Art Week 2017, Atami/JP
2016
MIRAGE, Blue Roof Museum of Chengdu, Chengdu/CN
Art in YUJUKU, Yujyuku Hot Spring, Gunnma/JP
2015
SPVI // II, Turner Gallery, Tokyo/JP
Obi vol.02 – Unroll -, Obiya-Sutematsu, Kyoto/JP
KOLLABORATIONSTAGE / WUK Projektraum, Vienna/AU
2013
ISE NY Art Search, ISE Cultural Foundation, New York/US
2012
Printed matter is a matter, Gallery YUKI-SIS, Tokyo/JP