April 23-29, 202  5 - The "Future Design Art and Regional Innovation Program," organized by the SFD, was successfully held in Japan. Centered on the theme of "Art Empowerment, Design-Driven, Regional Symbiosis," the program integrated academic collaboration between China and Japan, participation in international cultural events, and field research on world-class architecture. This initiative aims to explore innovative pathways for integrating art and design disciplines with regional sustainable development, offering a cross-cultural model for "New Liberal Arts" education in the modern era.

Module 1: International Academic Exchange

Professor Gao Peng, Dean of the SFD, led a delegation to The University of Tokyo for academic discussions and partnership negotiations. During the visit, Dean Gao engaged in in-depth dialogues with key figures, including Dr. FUKUDOME Hideto (Special Assistant to the President), Professor KATSUNO Masaaki (Dean of the Graduate School of Education), and Professor OKADA Takeshi (Director of the Art Center). Discussions focused on "Innovation in Future Design Education," "Cross-Cultural Talent Development," and "Joint Research Platform Building," laying the groundwork for faculty exchanges, joint research, and student collaboration.

Module 2: Osaka World Expo 2025 Research

The second module centered on the 2025 Osaka World Expo, with a focus on global cultural exchange and large-scale exhibition planning. The delegation conducted academic visits to key pavilions, including the China Pavilion and Italy Pavilion, to study how nations express future visions through cultural narratives and architectural design.

At the China Pavilion, experts provided detailed insights into its "Future Living," "Green Intelligence," and "Eastern Aesthetics" themes, analyzing architectural design, exhibition strategies, and the role of cultural soft power. Coinciding with International Chinese Language Day, SFD hosted a public workshop titled "Colors of Mountains and Seas: Mineral Pigments and the Eastern Philosophy of Color" at the pavilion.

At the Italy Pavilion, the delegation received an exclusive guided tour by Professor Rossella Menegazzo, Artistic Director of the ADI Design Museum. She elaborated on Italy’s curatorial vision of "Design, Art, and Social Innovation,"sharing cutting-edge practices in industrial design, sustainable development, and cultural communication. This exchange provided valuable insights into the intersection of design, technology, and societal transformation.

Module 3: Setouchi Triennale and Regional Art Ecology

The final module explored the Setouchi Triennale, a renowned international art festival revitalizing Japan’s island communities through site-specific art. The team visited iconic venues such as the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum, and Teshima Art Museum, studying how art interventions foster cultural identity and spatial regeneration.

Expanding the scope, the delegation toured Awaji Island to examine architectural masterpieces by Tadao Ando, including the Yumebutai Complex and Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center. Through guided tours and seminars, participants analyzed Ando’s philosophy of "Healing Nature: Dialogue Between Architecture, Environment, and Culture," gaining fresh perspectives on integrating art, architecture, and regional development.

This program not only strengthened academic ties between SFD and global institutions but also provided a multidimensional framework for understanding art’s role in shaping sustainable futures. The SFD continues to pioneer cross-disciplinary innovation, bridging cultures and disciplines to address contemporary challenges.