Ryotaro Muramatsu and NAKED, INC. Shine on the Global Stage at the 2023 Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival With the DANDELION PROJECT


Published on January 10, 2024

Renowned Tokyo-based creative company NAKED, INC. proudly announces its participation in the prestigious 2023 Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, hosted by the Sharjah government’s Department of Culture and Information. The visionary founder, Ryotaro Muramatsu, has been personally invited to showcase the acclaimed “DANDELION PROJECT,” a groundbreaking installation embodying the spirit of unity and global interconnectedness.

This marks Muramatsu’s inaugural participation in the festival, where artists from 105 countries will converge to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary. The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival is a landmark event that annually captivates art enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs, and this year, Muramatsu’s inclusion promises to elevate the festival’s global appeal.

The DANDELION PROJECT, a visually striking testament to unity and peace, centers around the concept of transcending boundaries through collective prayers. Dandelion-shaped installations are strategically placed worldwide, and when participants interact with them through their smartphones, virtual dandelion fluffs carry their prayers for peace across the globe. Digital art flowers then bloom in real-time at other participating locations, creating a global network of interconnected hope and harmony.

This innovative project has been successfully implemented in 56 locations globally, including iconic cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, and San Francisco. Notably, it was featured at the G7 Hiroshima Summit Partners Program, where it resonated with the spouses and partners of G7 representatives. Currently on display at the Tower of the Sun in the Expo’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka and Taipei, the DANDELION’s simultaneous presence in Sharjah further exemplifies its ability to connect diverse cultures and cities in real time.

Ryotaro Muramatsu, an accomplished artist, the founder of NAKED, INC., and Visiting Professor at Osaka University of Arts, has been at the forefront of creative projects since founding his company in 1997. His diverse portfolio includes film, spatial presentation, local revitalization, and traditional Japanese arts. Recognized globally, Muramatsu’s films have garnered 48 nominations and awards at prestigious film festivals.

The DANDELION PROJECT will be on display at the House of Wisdom, the festival’s primary venue, from December 13, 2023, to January 21, 2024. Operating hours are from 10:00 to 22:00, and visitors are encouraged to experience the transformative power of this immersive installation. The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, hosted by the Sharjah Department of Culture, promises a cultural journey celebrating creativity, diversity, and unity.

For more information about the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, please visit sharjahevents.ae.

NAKED, INC., recognized for its commitment to “Core Creative, Total Creation, and Borderless Creativity,” has been pioneering innovative experiences across various domains. Notable projects include the Tokyo Station projection mapping showcase “TOKYO HIKARI VISION,” the floral-themed experiential art production “NAKED FLOWERS,” the AI music production system “HUMANOID DJ,” and the immersive art and gastronomy restaurant “TREE by NAKED yoyogi park.”

NAKED, INC. is a Tokyo-based creative company founded by Ryotaro Muramatsu in 1997. The company’s philosophy of “Core Creative, Total Creation, and Borderless Creativity” has driven its commitment to uncovering new values across various aspects of life, including art, entertainment, traditional culture, education, music, food, sports, and more.

For further details about NAKED, INC. and its projects, please visit ryotaro-muramatsu.com.

Senior Writer