Tama Art University, founded in 1934, is the oldest private art educational institution in Japan. Ever since its foundation, TAU has encouraged freedom of expression while at the same time stressing the importance of discipline and individual responsibility. By maintaining this balance in the 21st century, the university intends to continue to make a major contribution to art education in Japan.
TAU is often referred to as "Tamabi", a shortened form of the Japanese name Tama Bijutsu (art) Daigaku (university). Tamabi has two campuses: the main campus in Hachioji City, on the western edge of Greater Tokyo, and the older Kaminoge campus near the center of the capital. The university offers a wide range of art and design courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and current enrolment is about 2,000. The Hachioji campus has recently undergone extensive expansion and both campuses offer excellent facilities, ranging from fully-equipped sculpture, printmaking, textiles and craft workshops to state-of-the-art multi-media design studios.
A Locus for Creative Research
Tama Art University is a hub for creating and researching art and culture and for their dissemination throughout society
Humankind has amassed civilization and culture within the external, physical world. Material civilization has also manifested its negative aspects, however, and is now turning into a threat to the planetary environment. In addition, as the use of sophisticated information technologies becomes more and more common, the media plays an increasingly important role in our daily lives. At present, introspection regarding the destruction of the planetary environment by material civilization has set off a critical evaluation of the impact of the media. It is also a time when the value of art and culture that represent the spiritual culture of humans is being reassessed. From now on, the pursuit of happiness should aim, not for the acquisition of material results, but for making life as spiritually fulfilling as possible, that is, for enhancing and expanding art and culture. Unless academic scholarship, fine arts, and design further explore and lead the non-material world, urban civilization will result in no more than destruction of our natural environment.
Today, every university is launching multi-disciplinary research. Due to the nature of artistic creation, however, art universities have always engaged in education and research that integrate human qualities. The process of artistic creation can be described as a holistic activity that synthesizes expression by a person's intellect, reasoning power, sensibility, and body. Both artistic creation and design are acts that make the world turn cyclically, while they link the worlds of reality and idealism and bring about interactions between the tangible and the intangible.
In step with advances in science and technology, people have also expanded the scope of activities that engage the aesthetic sensibility. Today, the realm of artistic expression encompasses not only such traditional genres as pictorial art, sculpture, and drama, but also new genres including visual acoustics, media arts, environmental and participatory performances, animation, manga, and multimedia design. Because these new trends are generated by the sensibility of a new age or from an original conviction, such innovative works are not always readily accepted by society. When an abundant expressiveness gives full play to its power, which is the very mission of the fine arts, and is perceived by the sensibility of the viewer, the message of the work manifests its persuasiveness and exerts an impact on actual society.
Since its foundation in 1935, Tama Art University has remained at the cutting edge of creativity and research in fine arts and design, and has ceaselessly examined the ideal stance of art education. Tama Art University is a collective of autonomous artists, designers, and researchers within an open organization. Applicants to Tama Art University currently number around 10,000 students each year. Of these applicants, the 1,000 thousand students who are carefully selected and admitted possess both the intelligence and sensibility that will enable them to effectively bear the destiny of art and culture over future generations. Tama Art University thus strives to offer a creative environment that enables young creators to fully tap their potential.
The students are affiliated in either one of three programs (evening division) on the Kaminoge Campus or one of eleven programs (daytime division) on the Hachioji Campus, where they receive specialized education in small groups with a focus on studio-type classes. In each program, students discuss the latest artistic trends and conduct research on the issues of such trends and on feasible directions for the future. If the mastery of such specialized skills can be described as a vertical axis, the horizontal axis consists of the general education courses in theoretical research common to each program, which are offered by general education research centers and graduate school research centers. Making use of shared facilities, such as the newly-built Lecture Hall, Media Center, Library, and Art Museum; general education lectures enrich the students' artistic sensibility and engage them in theoretical research to encourage uninhibited conceptualization. One of the major advantages of a general art university is that diverse, specialized genres of fine arts can interact and influence each other within a single campus.
In February of 2005, Tama Art University will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of its foundation. By that time, the main entrance of the Hachioji Campus will be finished and construction work on that campus will be completed for the time being. The total area of the buildings of the Tama Art University now spans 96,509 square meters, and the Faculty of Art and Design is thought to be the world's largest. Nevertheless, the real significance of such facilities lies in the results of education and research conducted in them and it is thus the quality of research activities being conducted in our facilities that should be examined and evaluated.
Through the process of modernization, the fine arts in Japan have gained a bird's eye view of both Western and Asian art and have cultivated a diversity of art and culture. Based on such experience, it will surely be possible to disseminate Japanese aesthetics to the global community. We aim to expand exchanges with art universities in Asia and other parts of the world and to widely disseminate high-quality works of creative artistry on a par with global standards throughout the world. For this purpose, we will need to build a creative environment where international artists and designers gather.
This catalog was compiled to introduce a few aspects of our university's educational and research activities. We hope that it will serve to deepen your understanding of the principles and mission of Tama Art University.
The Doctoral Degree Course, established in 2001, aims to strike a balance between practical and theoretical approaches by providing two main areas of study: art practice, focusing on the creation and production of art and design; and art theory, devoted to the history and theory of art. In contrast to the Master's Degree Course which is divided into five courses, the primary aim of this course is to unify various creative activities into one area, reflecting the prevalent view that these activities are increasingly seamless.
Today's society needs well-balanced artists and designers who possess both artistic skills and broad-minded views. Graduate students enrolled in the art practice stream are therefore required to become knowledgeable about art history and theories, while those enrolled in the art theory stream need to have hands-on experience in creating works of art or design. Thus, students enrolled in the art practice stream must obtain credits for history and theory of art and those enrolled in the art theory stream must obtain credits for art practice.
Depending on a graduate student's chosen theme, he or she will be assigned an instructor in charge. Graduate students enrolled in the art practice stream also have an assistant instructor from the art theory stream; as those enrolled in the art theory stream have an assistant instructor from the art practice stream. It goes without saying that all members of the teaching staff are always ready to give advice and guidance. The course makes every effort to create an educational environment in which students can reach the highest level of artistic achievement.
The Master's Degree Course is composed of five distinct courses providing advanced instruction in the research and creation of art.
The Painting Course is divided into three major areas: Japanese painting, which encourages students to grasp the essence of Japanese painting and single-mindedly pursue their professional practice; oil painting, which allows students to develop their own original and independent studies based on contemporary aesthetics; printmaking, which nurtures professional artists of creative minds and broad views.
The aim of the Sculpture Course is to encourage students to establish their own direction and adopt new approaches to three-dimensional art. By adopting a committed attitude towards their work, they will be able to fully exploit their imaginations in order to develop their personal themes.
The Ceramic, Glass, and Metal Works Course aims to nurture not only contemporary ceramic, glass, and metal artists and instructors, but also a new type of an artist beyond conventional genres. Students are expected to consider how their hand-crafted work using actual materials can be developed further in a society increasingly dominated by virtual reality.
The Design Course includes a wide variety of fields: graphic design, product design, interior design, craft design, dyeing and weaving design, architectural design, photography, film, environmental design, and information design. Research areas have been expanded to meet the needs of society and be more applicable to student's plans for the future.
The Art Science Course develops the human resource skills necessary to provide a bridge between producers, such as artists and designers, and consumers and audiences. Students learn to appreciate modern art, understand it theoretically, and then proceed to find its position or meaning in society in order to become critics, editors, and researchers. Through training in various creative activities, and by exploiting the mediums available, they can become effective promoters, providing a wide audience with valuable opportunities to encounter and appreciate art. Students gain a broad understanding of art theory and history, and are asked to consider their own individual plans for the future which will allow them to take advantage of their own uniquely developed knowledge.
Japanese painting should not be regarded as just one style of painting, which uses glue as an adhesive medium, but as including all aspects of traditional oriental painting. Japanese painting incorporates the use of unique materials, such as an adhesive (nikawa), Japanese chalk (gofun), powdered mineral pigments (iwa-enogu), natural pigments, Japanese ink (sumi), and gold and silver leaf. Various tools and techniques influenced by tradition are also employed. Learning how to make effective use of such materials, tools, and techniques requires considerable patience, ambition, and spirit on the part of a student.
There are two obstacles to overcome as a student of Japanese painting. One is insufficient attention given to Japanese painting in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. The other is that traditional elements of Japanese painting may appear incompatible with key concepts in modern western art. However, these should not be seen as problems, but rather as factors in the creation of new art with a fresh and contemporary voice. Careful consideration of the nature of Japanese painting can help students to produce creative and vibrant work.
It is expected that students will build the foundations of a new style, by bringing their talent, energy, and enthusiasm to the task of tackling the uncertainties that exist in today's Japanese painting. For this reason, it is imperative that they remain flexible and open-minded, demonstrate individuality in their studies, and cultivate aspirations for the search for beauty.
The current diversification of artistic expression provides countless opportunities for creating works outside the conventional concepts of art; consequently, students can take advantage of the freedom to explore every aspect of art practice. Students in the Department of Oil Painting use not only oil paint but a variety of techniques in two and three dimensions, and explore the possibilities of installation art and video.
The department offers a class selection system that allows students to freely determine the direction of their studies, developing an aesthetic consciousness that responds readily to contemporary society, while at the same time pursuing beauty through the exploration of a wide variety of media.
It is important for each student to develop a personal view of the world that questions such notions as nature, reality, identity, existence, and relativity. There are two other essentials: to acquire a deep perception of the fundamental elements of visual art, such as light, texture, color, point, line, and plane, and to prepare a sound theoretical basis for one's creative practice. Students should also learn to recognize how much the vibrancy of a work of art depends on an aesthetic sensitivity that is enhanced by a broad knowledge of, for example, the diverse cultures of the world, various natural phenomena, and developments in science and technology.
Throughout the course, students work closely with professors who are leading practitioners in their fields. Communication between faculty and students, critique sessions, off-campus trips, and the exchange of views with fellow students are all valuable stimuli and sources of encouragement. The free and active atmosphere of the department, with its emphasis on individuality and a broad approach to visual expression, encourages students to develop the qualities necessary for continuing with their creative work after graduation.
Printmaking is quite different from drawing or painting directly on canvas. A print can be produced in large numbers in the manner of certain present-day mass media. This characteristic, together with the wide variety of printing techniques available, expands the range of opportunities for self-expression in bold and original ways, and enables printmakers to present a clear and fresh image of today's society; in fact, it could be said that printmaking is the most "modern" art.
Japanese prints are regarded highly in other countries, and one reason for this is the long history of art printing dating back to Ukiyoe; also, a number of widely used innovative printing techniques were developed in Japan. Modern printing methods provide contemporary artists with expressive techniques which include woodblock printing, wood-engraving, etching, mezzotint, drypoint, lithography, wood-cut lithography, and silkscreen. The Department of Printmaking has a diverse practical curriculum through which students can develop both traditional and professional skills in order to find their specialty.
For artists, training in both perception and intellect is essential. The department offers a context for creative training which aims at the
cultivation of the mind, the training of the eye, and the acquisition of technique. Students learn how to become creators of art by considering problems from different angles, thinking in various ways, combining skills, and producing stimulating and creative new works.
Sculpture is one of the oldest forms of art, and as sculptors, we are heirs to a tradition that forms an invaluable record of past civilizations. Although we can learn a great deal from this heritage, we must observe our present society through the eyes of a contemporary artist and express our vision in an appropriate manner. After all, even though we may think that the clothes of a century ago were very elegant, we would never dream of wearing them today. Modern industry produces many new types of materials, such as steel, cement, plastics, glass, and aluminum. These new materials not only bring significant changes to our lifestyles, but also affect our notion of what sculpture is and can be. It is imperative that we use new materials and technology to create new and bold sculptural images for our present-day society.
Students in the Department of Sculpture acquire basic skills by working with shapes observed in nature and undergo instruction in various practical techniques. They then proceed to more personal areas of self-expression. Close student-faculty relations are essential for the exchange of ideas and the development of sculptural concepts; however, although the faculty is always ready to give advice and guidance to students, it is important for each student to develop an independent and self-sufficient attitude towards sculptural practice.
The making of an object used to include the planning of it. The individual who wished to make an object would have to think about the reason for making it, what to make, how to make it, and which materials to use. With the pursuit of efficiency and mass production in modern society, the process of making an object has become divided into discrete steps. The result is that in contemporary society, people often have no interest in making something themselves, and pay no attention to how an object is made. In addition, the 20th century saw the development of technologically advanced societies, in which progress in electronic communications and virtual reality began to challenge our sense of the real.
The Department of Ceramic, Glass, and Metal Works objects to such a situation and seeks to promote the production of individually-crafted objects in ceramic, glass, and metal. In order to do this, we must help our students consider carefully the needs of individuals in contemporary life, and ways in which these needs can be satisfied.
One of our major aims is to encourage a new and truly international approach to three-dimensional work; not simply the traditional Japanese approach, nor the accepted attitudes of western-style aesthetics. The department enjoys a worldwide reputation, and has produced artists of major stature in the fields of ceramic, glass, and metal design. Graduates have become creators of fine art, craftspeople working out of their own studios and workshops, members of design workshops and companies, and educators.
The rapid development of information technology has had a profound effect on graphic design, and attached more and more importance to visual communication. In response to this, the Department of Graphic Design prepares students to become information communication designers who are not only creative, but can plan and oversee projects effectively. For this purpose, they need a broad general knowledge, an open-minded approach to problem-solving, sound judgment, and a contemplative personality.
The department has developed the curriculum to meet the challenges of the changing times, adding some subjects covering digitization, multimedia, and networking. As a result, students can acquire a practical balance of analog and digital design skills.
In the first and second years, students learn analog techniques, such as drafting, spatial composition, and photography, and digital techniques like computer operation. In the third and fourth years, the department offers four courses from which the students can select one area: the Advertising Design Course, which gives instruction in advertising design, creative direction, corporate identity design, and package design; the Advertising Film Design Course, which focuses on planning, creating, directing, and editing commercials and multimedia; the Communication Design Course, which is devoted to editorial design, typography, three-dimensional graphics, and computer graphics; and the Expression Design Course, which offers instruction in photography, illustration, and animation.
The area of product design covers a vast spectrum, reaching from transportation, public facilities, machinery, electronic equipment, and medical instruments to stationery and household goods.
Japanese industry has made remarkable advances, and we now see the development of many new types of business activities that display a synergistic fusion of material and intellectual processes. Product design has become an increasingly important factor in this trend, helping to create a more visually attractive, and at the same time more caring society. In our view, instruction in product design should have the fundamental aim of striking a balance between materialistic and spiritual philosophies.
The curriculum is organized to help students develop their potential as product designers and acquire a high level of professional knowledge and skills. One of the most important features of the curriculum is the high number of design research projects involving cooperative research with industry and joint research with other universities. This provides students with valuable opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers and engineers.
Graduates have found employment in various fields, for example in companies producing automobiles, machinery, household appliances, or information and medical equipment. Some work for educational institutions, public organizations, or research laboratories. Others have established their own design offices, or are continuing their studies in Japan or abroad.
From primitive cultures to today's technological society, textiles have played a vital part in the human environment. It could be said that the design and manufacture of textiles are among the most basic of human activities. Japan, along with many other countries in the world, has a long and rich tradition in dyeing and weaving, from which contemporary designers can learn a great deal.
Today, textile design extends beyond the conventional definition of the term, and ranges from design for clothing to a wide variety of uses of fiber in architectural environments. The development of new fiber materials has fostered the awareness of new kinds of beauty, and experimental approaches to dyeing and weaving have given rise to fiber art, which explores new concepts of plane, volume, and space.
The Textile Design Course prepares students to become professional designers by stressing the value of an extensive knowledge in various areas, as well as practical ability in traditional dyeing and weaving skills. We encourage students to develop sensitive, creative, and broad-minded approaches to their practice and actively exploit the possibilities of contemporary technology.
Graduates work as artists, designers, or planners. They may work in the fashion industry, for interior fabric manufactures, apparel makers, textile manufactures, trading companies, or wholesalers. While some prefer the challenge of working with new fibers and modern techniques, others choose to pursue traditional skills in traditional ways.
We define environment as something that human beings perceive. Here, our work is to design the environment, which encompasses furniture, interiors, housing, neighborhood parks, landscapes, city environments, and social systems. Environmental design should include the understanding of art, technology, and ecology, while considering natural, social, and cultural environments.
The Department of Environmental Design gives instruction in the inspection of buildings and landscapes and in simulation using CAD (computer-aided design) and computer graphics. It also focuses on what environmental design should be today and in the future. We expect students to contemplate their surroundings, find problems, and address these problems in their projects. In the process, with an aesthetic awareness of color, shape, and balance, they should respond to questions related to recycling, barrier-free facilities, ecology, and environmental issues and seek the answers by themselves. This results in the generation of completely new projects.
Graduates will be qualified as arts or crafts teachers for senior high school, art teachers for junior high school, or curators. They will also qualify for the examinations of an interior planner or an interior coordinator. Graduates with two-years' experience in the construction industry will meet eligibility requirements for the examination of first-class authorized architect, and others with three-years' experience in the landscape gardening industry can take the examination of first-class authorized landscape architect.
Information design is concerned with creating new relationships between intangible information and individuals and groups in society. Rapidly evolving international digital communication networks are playing an increasingly important role in all aspects of daily life. In response to these developments, the Department of Information Design aims to foster a new type of creator who is not limited by the traditional divisions between the fine arts, science, and engineering.
Consequently, the curriculum is divided into two courses: the Media and Art Course and the Information Design Course. Students in each course can choose from three studios which focus on different areas of expertise. However, to produce practitioners with a comprehensive viewpoint, students in both courses collaborate through common lecture classes and joint projects.
Media and Art Course: By acquiring interrelated skills encompassing the fields of art, science, and technology, students learn to explore new modes of expression afforded by the electronic media, such as digital imaging, sound synthesis, computer networks, robotics, and virtual reality technologies.
The course encourages students to integrate their discoveries in personal ways and they may express their ideas in a variety of forms, for example media/information art, net art, sound art, installation, or performance.
Information Design Course: Through analysis of the nature of information and communication, students investigate the theory and practice of design with the aim of realizing the full potential of information technology.
During the course, students develop a wide-raging knowledge of art, human behavior, society, and engineering while developing their sensibility as designers. Course projects include designing for web sites, television, cell phone services, and 'intelligent' products. Students also carry out research into the development of information networks.
The Department of Art Science offers a systematic study of art and culture which takes into account the changing nature of contemporary society. Our society has changed rapidly over the past decades, affecting the notions of production and consumption. One result is that consumerism now drives production, and consumer demand has the power to dictate supply. In contemporary art, one of the most important developments has been the change in the concept of the art "consumer" from passive viewer, reader, or listener, to active participant. In response to this transformation, the department applies the logic of "creative consumption" to nurture a new synthesis of creator and audience.
The first and second years place emphasis on the development of a basic understanding of various aspects of art history, such as the history of Western, Oriental, and Japanese art. Students then select a genre for closer study, choosing from such fields as fine art, design, literature, film, drama, performance, architecture, or fashion.
Some examples of the varied career opportunities open to graduates are: art coordinator in a commercial enterprise; official in a government agency, public organization, or an art museum; print media editor; event producer. Other possibilities include product development planner, advertising art director, art gallery clerical employee, art researcher, and art critic.
Ever since its inception, Tama Art University has maintained the tradition of respect for theory. As part of this tradition, the General Education program is concerned with all aspects of art and culture, and aims to provide students with the broad understanding of cultural and social contexts as well as opportunities for detailed theoretical research into particular areas.
In the field of art education, developing individual identity and fostering creativity are essential factors. Concentrating on practical skills and ignoring social issues will limit a student's ability to accomplish significant results in his or her future career. Our aim is to balance practical ability, art and design theory, and general cultural studies, thus encouraging students to take an active part in society, and approach their lives with an original, expressive, but critical attitude.
The non-specialist syllabus of the program prepares students to become responsible, informed members of society by encouraging an awareness of fundamental social issues. The program includes foreign language, physical education, and natural, social, and cultural science courses. In terms of specialist education, the program provides an extensive range of subjects, which are designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of distinctive art fields and strengthen the theoretical understanding of the diverse activities in contemporary art.
Subjects include required credits for becoming a teacher or a curator.
One of the driving forces that injects vitality into artistic culture is the competition among visual artists to demonstrate their powers of expression and creativity, and their efforts enhance and add meaning to our everyday lives. In a highly developed information-oriented society such as ours, artists who encourage a deeper appreciation of nature and beauty are especially important.
While considering the infinite range of artistic expression in terms of the use of materials and techniques, the Department of Fine Arts helps students to build the foundations of an original style by breaking away from a conventional framework. Students study fine art of different nations and cultures and develop the ability to appreciate works based on their originality, interconnectedness, and universality.
The department offers a curriculum covering various painting styles to help students see beyond conventional concepts of painting. For example, they learn the traditional or contemporary techniques of Japanese painting and the traditional techniques of tempera and fresco. They can also take classes in printmaking or filmmaking in order to seek their own voice.
Many graduates devote themselves entirely to the creation of their own work. The department also produces artists whose broad understanding and knowledge of the visual arts enables them to obtain employment in the broadcasting, telecommunications, or publishing industries, or become art educators in the field of primary and secondary education or continuing education for adults. Others pursue careers ranging from art advisors and art museum officials to art therapists.
Design is an integral part of contemporary society, providing us with the means to achieve diverse goals in our lives. Students in the Department of Design can choose from a wide variety of courses based on the research of communications information. They pursue practical design which will keep pace with the demands of society, using computer-assisted digital design techniques and multimedia.
Recent changes in the structure of Japanese industry have caused a shift from a hardware-oriented attitude to a software-oriented one. One result of this is the increasing use of computer technology in the field of design, and the expansion of digital technology-based design. Today, many people working in fields which require special knowledge and expertise are seeking opportunities to learn computer-based design skills, and educated business people are enrolling in college again to expand their abilities.
The design industry now needs a new type of designer whose work should incorporate a creative expression conscious of culture and humanity and an ability to master state-of-the-art computer equipment. This is a practical course, in which a high level of professional skill combined with creativity and originality is expected of all students. We believe that such students will be best able to serve society's design needs, and help pioneer developments in the international field of design.
Design activities encompass printing, publishing, multimedia, industrial products, architecture, and living environment. Graduates work as designers and researchers, as well as artists whose comprehensive knowledge of design enables them to work in various fields.
We enter the 21st century with highly-developed communication technology. Various frameworks within society have been modified and integrated; at the same time, artistic expression has undergone tremendous changes. The new aim of film/television and the performing arts is to harmonize state-of-the-art technology and human nature, and to form a new relationship between the producer and consumer of a work of art.
The Department of Moving Images and Performing Arts aims to develop a wide variety of creative individuals; this includes artists, directors, playwrights, and stage and screen performers. Students are expected to create unique forms of artistic expression by combining mind and body, and fusing image and space.
The faculty helps students develop a profound understanding of their work. The curriculum gives instruction in theory and skill, and is centered in group activities in which students work in close collaboration with each other. The department is divided into three main areas: image expression, using 16mm film, photography, animation, DV camera, and computer; body expression, through drama, dance, and performance; and space expression, through lighting, sound design, costumes, and scripting. Students can take classes from different areas if they choose. Various state-of-the-art film and video equipment has been installed and theater and dance facilities are available at all times.
The department provides a stimulating environment within which both full-time students and working adults can work together, gaining encouragement and inspiration from each other to cultivate their perception and skill.
The general education program is intended to provide a holistic humanist education that complements the specialist courses provided by other departments. The program is designed to encourage students not only to become skilled professionals in the field of art and design, but also members of society who can make independent, considered judgments based on a broad understanding of the world.
The program attempts to realize this objective by providing education in the basic principles of art and beauty, together with wide-ranging studies of nature and society. The overall theme of the program is "nature and human beings". Students are encouraged to view issues from a global viewpoint, with particular reference to our relationship to natural environment. Subjects include foreign languages, sociology, physical education, painting, aesthetics, and art history.
Essential features of the program include joint research projects, continuing education, and open classes, which are carried out in conjunction with each course. This represents a new direction for the program, which has resulted in a change in the content of course lectures and the establishment of a starting point for creative work by students. We hope to explore the new direction further in the future.
Subjects include required credits for becoming a curator.