The 5th KOBE Biennale 2015 draws upon the arts for Urban Development and will run 19 September - November 23 across various sites in the attractive port city in Japan. Open calls are announced for three international art competitions with the overall theme of: Suki [su:ki], (meaning "love")

NOTE: there are three different deadlines - check carefully! Also, each of the International Competitions has a limited period when it is open for entries - get your submission prepared well in advance of the final deadline.

Art in a Container International Competition

Kobe Biennale 2015 will hold the 5th edition of the Art in a Container International Competition. We ask for your art products based on taking advantage of the dimensions of a standard shipping container (12.0 meters long x 2.4m wide x 2.7m high). This year's exhibition will be open during the nighttime only. For this reason, exhibitors may decorate the exterior of the container if they wish, provided that any embellishments are tamper-proof/weatherproof.  A wide variety of works from professionals and nonprofessionals are welcome.

Deadline: 25 February 2015

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SHITSURAI ART International Competition

KOBE Biennale 2015 will invite "shitsurai" works to be exhibited on a stage at Kobe's port, the city's most important resource. Shitsurai refers to a traditional Japanese space decoration for formal occasions. It could also mean an installation that places importance on spaces where people meet by chance. Please submit unique ideas for employing a vast area that offers views of the sea and the city of Kobe. Your open-minded imagination and methods have the opportunity to create wonderful spaces where many people will gather. A wide variety of works from professionals and nonprofessionals are welcome.

Deadline: 11 March 2015

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CREATIVE TOYS International Competition

In Kobe Biennale 2015, we would hold the second edition of the Creative Toys International Competition. To expand children's potential and creativity, we regard it as our responsibilities. Children's unfettered thoughts and activities are unlimited, so we are able to say they are genius. To help their talents flower effectively, people said that primitive and manual toys are better to use. Attendants are able to create artistic and innovative toys by using wood, paper, texture, steel or any other materials. Please enjoy your free ideas and methods.

Deadline: 22 April 2015

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KOBE Biennale 2015 aims to redefine traditional ideas about art, rallying the city's collective cultural strengths that have helped us recover from the earthquake over the past 20 years and drawing upon its long-cultivated enterprising spirit. By promoting Art Culture to a new stage, the Biennale will showcase Japanese culture's remarkable levels of diversity, and acceptance of and openness to foreign cultures. We hope that this message will be sent across Japan and to the world from this port city.