ABLE ART MOVEMENT
As we enter a new century, a great task faces us. It will lie in the restoration of the ties, broken in the previous century, between people and society, people and nature and between individuals themselves. We believe that art has the power to help people live in fullness and holds the key to the restoration of this relationship. Close ties of this kind will enable mankind to recover a sense of humanity.
Since 1995, when we coined the expression the "ABLE ART MOVEMENT", we have focussed on the work of people with disabilities in the visual arts. This "Art of the Soul", overflowing as it does with raw energy, is expressive of their diverse and multi-layered world and has significant impact on all those who see it. Yet the spiritual and creative activities of people with disabilities have yet to been given their full due. We use the new term "ABLE ART" to describe their creative world. Our activities have striven to provide the environment in which the creativity of people with disabilities can blossom and be seen, appreciated and accepted in mainstream society.
The activities of the "ABLE ART MOVEMENT" are founded on the belief that "there are as many universes as individuals". This is expressed through exhibitions such as those held in 1997 and 1998 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art and our other activities. Every individual has the right to self-determination, self-realization, and fulfillment and we propose that this right should be our social goal.
   
EXHIBITIONS
The aim of our exhibitions has been to allow the creative work of people with disabilities to be seen from a new perspective and by new audiences. We have also held collaborative exhibitions where the public has been invited to join and others whose purpose has been to introduce and encourage new artists with disabilities.
- ABLE ART FESTIVAL '95 (1995, Asia and Pacific Trade Center/Osaka)
- ABLE ART '96 (1996, Osaka International House Foundation/Osaka)
- Dialogue of the Spirit-- ABLE ART '97 Tokyo(1997, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art/Tokyo)
- VIVIRA--Beginning of Life (1998, Bennese Communication Gallery/Tokyo)
- Art to Revitalize--ABLE ART '99 (1999, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art/Tokyo)
- Echoes of the Spirit--ABLE ART (2001/London, Glasgow, Bolton)
- Many private and Group exhibitions.
WORKSHOPS
Since 1997, workshops have been held for all those working with people with disabilities to engage them in the creative process and broaden their view of art. Others have concentrated on training workshop leaders who can bring out the potential of people with disabilities.
FORUMS
To date, the "Toyota Able Art Forum" has been held at 50 venues around Japan. Its purpose has been to lay the groundwork for and encourage an environment that will allow the creative activities of people with disabilities to take place. International symposia have also been held to build a global network with others active in the field.
ART PROJECTS
The purpose of the art projects we have organized has been to involve and revitalize local communities.
- ABLE ART STREET MUSEUM (1997/Osaka)
- ABLE ART at the OLYMPIAD (1997/Nagano)
- Labor Bank Social Contribution Project "Human-Art-Community" (2000~)
- Museum Access Group "MAR" (2000~)
PUBLICATIONS
Our publications program has been a means by which the artifacts and expertise relating to the artistic and cultural activities of people with disabilities can be recorded for posterity and passed on.
RESEARCH
We have conducted and published research that would help activate the artistic and cultural activities of people with disabilities and have made proposals as a result of this research.
- Investigation on art and culture of people with disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region (1996)
- Investigation and research on making cultural facilities such as museums and galleries barrier-free (1997)
- Investigation and research on making studios and galleries for people with disabilities in urban space (1998)
- Art by people with disabilities "Research on multi-media and creation software" (1998)
- Project to draw up a guideline on the preparation and protection of copyrights and other rights for artworks created by people with disabilities (1998)
We organize the "Able Art Award" to support arts activities and exhibitions of artworks and run the experimental Atelier Pole-Pole.
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