Free Art Space KYOTO

Participatory Work "Virtual Cinema Mural — CINEMA / PAINT Kyoto&Thai" Is Now Online

We have released a participatory work that lets you paint freely on the walls of a 3D cinema while rotating it in your browser. Two buildings are available, the "Kyoto Cinema" and the "Thai Cinema," each in two versions: with photo textures or as a plain white model. Four brush types (standard brush, spray, area fill, and soft-bleed brush) are provided, and you can also place your own photos and images on the walls. Finished works can be saved as PNG images, or exported as 3D data (GLB) with the painted surfaces included, or as a work file so you can pick up where you left off. The interface is available in Japanese, English, and Thai.

Only selected artists get to paint on real walls, but anyone can paint on the virtual cinema, and every work is preserved as data. The 3D models and the painting tool are both our own creations.

Visit the work at CINEMA / PAINT Kyoto&Thai (Virtual Cinema Mural).

Concept for Our Guide Character "Kyoto Monkey" Is Now Public

We have published a concept page for the "Kyoto Monkey," the character who will serve as the guide for Free Art Space KYOTO. This original character is based on the legend of Sarugatsuji at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. From 2027 onward, the Kyoto Monkey will appear in the same form at our venue, in VR, on the web, and in printed materials, and will also take part in artistic exchanges with characters from cities around the world. You can also see the prototype "Thai Monkey" and a self-introduction comic featuring the two of them (in Japanese, English, and Thai).

For details, please see the Guide Characters concept page.

Virtual Museum for the Film Series "Key" Is Now Online

We have released a virtual museum presenting thirty short art films on the theme of "Key." Choose one of the three doors of the museum and a film begins; when it ends, the doors appear again — a loop in which every choice leads to a different film. During playback, three small doors at the lower left let you move on to the next film at any time.

Visit the work at the Virtual Museum "Key" (a separate window is recommended).

Digital & AI Art Prize (Open Call Contest) Is Now Accepting Entries

Entries are now open for our open-call prize for digital art and AI art. Entry is free of charge, and artists of any age, from Japan and abroad, are welcome to take part. Prizes are art supplies and equipment worth up to ¥300,000. The entry deadline is December 31, 2026 (JST).

For guidelines and the entry form, please see the Digital & AI Art Prize page.

Free Art Space KYOTO Is Now Open

We are pleased to announce that Free Art Space KYOTO opened on Saturday, June 27, 2026. As a new art hub where digital and analog converge, we look forward to sharing art from Kyoto with the world.

The permanent collection can be viewed at any time (advance reservation required). Applications and inquiries for free solo exhibitions are also welcome. Please feel free to stop by.