[ISEA2018] Paper: Haruo Ishii — The Sangamine-Ecohouse

Abstract

Keywords: self-sufficiency, renewable energy, workshops, counterculture, coexistence, The Whole Earth Catalog, cybernetics 

This is a comprehensive initiative that includes: the construction of a self-built house on the premises of Aichi University of the Arts in Nagakute City in Aichi Prefecture; the use of renewable energy with this house being the central point; the growing of vegetables on a natural farm; workshops where regional citizens get to have experiences with nature; the creation of an informational network for regional citizens; and the creation of festivals that allow for exchanges between regional citizens. In the 1960s, cyberculture arose from the counterculture movement, and the Internet and personal computers started to be developed. Even now, this has grown into smartphones, the Internet, and renewable energy. The abilities of individuals are being cybernetically expanded, and the networks have pushed the human spirit beyond the physical form. Also, the current era is moving towards the dream of coexistence that could not be accomplished by the counter culture in the 1960s. This project is creating connections between citizens in the same region by leveraging its self-sufficient spirit and using the power of music, art, and networks, and it is bringing back a traditional lifestyle that coexists with nature.

  • Haruo Ishii is a media artist and design director who has been engaged in making interactive installations and design. He is an Associate Professor in Aichi University of the Arts, Japan. His work has been shown at SIGGRAPH (93,94,96,98,99,01), at ARTEC (93,95,97), at ISEA (95,98), at Lovebytes (02), at Prix Ars Electronica (97,03), at European Media Art estival (94,99), at sightsonic (03). He has made oral presentations at Japanese Society for the Science of Design (14,15,16,17), at ISEA2017 and presented a poster at ISEA2016. You can visit his web site at    kankyo-media.com

Full text p. 155 – 162