Miwa Komatsu in Conversation with GEN DE ART - Sensing Burgundy at Art Basel Basel 2025

On-site Report from the Art Basel Basel 2025 Exchange Circle

On June 20, 2025, during the internationally acclaimed Art Basel Basel fair in Switzerland, a special dialogue titled "Sensing Burgundy: Art, Culture and the Poetics of Place" was presented on the central Exchange Circle stage, drawing attention from across the art and design world.

The conversation was moderated by Olivia Matsumoto, editor-in-chief of GEN DE ART, whose unique perspective bridges contemporary art, editorial work, and regional cultural curation. As both editor and curator, Olivia guided the discussion with thoughtful, deeply contextual questions to each guest.

Rather than a group discussion, the format unfolded as a series of intimate, one-on-one dialogues between Olivia and each guest: Miwa Komatsu, a renowned Japanese contemporary artist, and Emmanuel Dupont, a French architect based in Burgundy. The flow of the event allowed each voice to resonate with clarity, highlighting individual perspectives on spirituality, memory, and the poetic essence of place.

Between Spirituality and Nature: The Artistic Vision of Miwa Komatsu

The first half of the program focused on the thoughts and practices of Miwa Komatsu. Before the conversation began, the audience was immersed in a short film showcasing her work-a sequence that set the tone for what felt like a ritualistic experience.

Komatsu, whose art is deeply rooted in ancient Japanese spirituality and nature worship, has exhibited at the British Museum and other major international institutions. Her work is often seen as a symbol of cultural exchange and spiritual resilience.

When asked how she "listens to nature," Komatsu shared:

"I enter my creative state through meditation. For me, painting is itself a form of meditation. As I sink into deeper consciousness, visions appear before me-like a small theater. That's where each of my works begins."

She added that while she does not consciously pursue repetition or rhythm, her body naturally aligns with certain motions:

"When my focus deepens, my movements repeat naturally. It feels as if my body synchronizes with the rhythm of nature. That's what I perceive as true sustainability."

On the subject of ecological crisis and artistic response, Komatsu introduced her upcoming solo exhibition at the Sapporo Art Museum, which centers around the now-extinct Hokkaido Wolf (Ezo Wolf), native to Hokkaido:

"The Ezo wolf was driven to extinction by humans in 1889. As an artist, I want to become a voice for the spirits that still dwell in nature. They protect us-and they remind us not to repeat the same mistakes."

When asked why her works transcend cultural boundaries and resonate internationally, Komatsu reflected:

"Traveling the world, I've noticed that all religions share the element of 'prayer.' Perhaps prayer and painting are both forms of innate human language-something that directly touches the heart."

A Philosophy of Place through Architecture: Reflections from Emmanuel Dupont

Seated next to Komatsu was Emmanuel Dupont, co-founder of the architecture firm Atelier Zéro Carbone Architectes (AZCA) and a long-time resident of Burgundy since the early 2000s. With precise, philosophical language, Dupont responded to the theme of terroir, emphasizing the inseparable relationship between architecture, landscape, and cultural memory.

"2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Burgundy 'Climats' being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a time to reflect on the bond between humans and land. Architecture is a medium through which memory engages with contemporary life."

Dupont is also the initiator of the regional art programme Festival Volcan de Nuits, which integrates art, land, and sustainable building into a holistic expression of place. In his view, space can serve as a vessel for continuing the spiritual identity of the land.

----------------------
About the Event|

Sensing Burgundy: Art, Culture and the Poetics of Place
Date: June 20, 2025
Venue: Exchange Circle, Art Basel Basel
Presented by: GEN DE ART × Vosne-Romanée Culture & Arts Center
Guests: Miwa Komatsu (Artist), Emmanuel Dupont (Architect)

- Gen de Art
- Address: 1-6-9 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- contact@gendeart.jp
- Press contact: press@gendeart.jp

Established in 2020, Gen de Art is a young cross-cultural magazine based in Japan. We dedicate our work to honouring outstanding high-profile craftsmen across the world who work in the fields of art, winemaking, and fine dining. Our aim is to promote the contributions made by the pioneers to their respective sectors and pay tribute to their living heritage on a global scale. Through the eyes of these brilliant creators, we invite our readers to explore their multifaceted visions of the art of living, as well as living art. At Gen de Art, we focus on important conversations and ask big questions to fully embrace the nature of artistic creation and various ways of expression.

This release was published on openPR.