Osaka University of Arts (Location: Kanan-cho, Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture; President: Kunihiko Tsukamoto) has implemented an initiative in collaboration with Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, Ltd. as part of an industry-academia partnership for the 2025 academic year, displaying paintings created by students within the company's ferries operating on the Kobe-Oita route. The vessels targeted are the "Sunflower Gold" and "Sunflower Pearl," which operate on this route.

This initiative was carried out as part of the practical course "Design Project" for third-year students in the Department of Design at Osaka University of Arts, with the theme of enriching the travel time for passengers on overnight ferries. The aim is to create cultural value utilizing young sensibilities and creativity, and to provide a new experiential value for sea travel.

About the Industry-Academia Collaboration Project with Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line

This project was implemented with the objective of creating cultural value that leverages young sensibilities and creativity, and providing new experiential value for sea travel. As part of the practical course "Design Project" taken by third-year students in our university's Department of Design, this initiative provided students with a valuable opportunity to have their works displayed not only within the university but also in a commercial space actually used by many customers.

Luxurious Private Spaces Become a Stage for Young Creators

Artworks are installed in a total of 8 "Deluxe Rooms (Western-style)" on both vessels, which are the highest-class cabins. In these spacious approximately 17m2 rooms, equipped with private wooden decks (private balconies) and bathrooms with windows overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, a total of 16 works created by 8 students in two sizes, "square" and "rectangular," have been displayed.

The participating students chose motifs related to the route, such as the cityscape of Kobe, a port of call; the sasanqua, popular in Oita; the nature of Aso; the evening and morning scenery of the Seto Inland Sea; and the light reflecting on the sea surface. Through abstract expressions, color gradations, and elements like flowers, the sun, and the flow of waves, the artworks add a gentle resonance and anticipation for the journey to the time spent in the cabins. The unique charm of the region and the romantic moments brought by sea travel are expressed through the fresh sensibilities of these young creators.

Here, we introduce the students' artistic intentions along with photos of the artworks actually displayed on board.

<Student Artworks Displayed in the Cabins>

Participating Students and Their Artistic Intentions

Tatsuki Irie

"Radiant Bloom"

I abstractly depicted the strong light and life force of sunflowers, with the theme of their symbolism of the sun. The radial lines and overlapping colors are composed to convey both warmth and dynamism simultaneously.

"Flickering Evening Light"

Inspired by the band of light reflecting on the sea surface during an evening voyage, I expressed the soft rhythm created by waves and wind through color. I created this piece hoping that it would evoke a sense of gentle moments experienced during the passage of time, as a memory of the journey.

Hina Komoto

"Hydrangea"

Using the hydrangea, the city flower of Kobe, as a motif, I created this piece with an awareness of the sophistication and tranquility befitting the port city of Kobe. The soft colors and overall blurring create a calm atmosphere that evokes the sea breeze and a refined sense of unity.

"In the Wind"

Imagining the view from a ship navigating Kobe's harbor, I depicted a scene where light spills into the sea and shimmers, swaying with the waves and wind.

Yuuka Kimura

"Sunset by the Window"

Using the window as a frame, I depicted the time spent quietly gazing at the evening scenery from inside the room. By painting the sun setting on the horizon and the gentle waves with a warm color gradient, I aimed to convey both a sense of calm and relaxation at the end of the journey, and anticipation for the next day.

"Sunset Route"

From the perspective of looking up at the deluxe room from the sea, I depicted the "Sunflower" proceeding through the sunset. With the powerful rhythm of the waves and the large sun, I aimed to convey a sense of majesty and excitement even from a distance.

Iori Tsujisaka:

"Kobe City"

I expressed the port of call, Kobe, through an abstract painting. I intended for the blurring of the painting to allow passengers to project their own memories onto it, evoking a sense of excitement for the journey or the lingering feelings of return.

"Aso"

I depicted the magnificent nature of Aso in a similar abstract style.

I composed it to convey an overwhelming sense of scale, with beautiful green mountains reaching towards the sky. I created this piece with the concept that both works are completed only when superimposed with the viewer's memories.

Tsubame Hashizume

"Sasanqua Blooming in the Morning Light"

I depicted the sasanqua, a flower popular in Oita, at the moment it is enveloped by the morning sun. Through the soft light and overlapping colors, I expressed the tranquility and hope of the beginning of the day, intending to add a sense of peace to the morning hours spent in the cabin.

"Route Carrying Light":

I expressed the flow of the sea waves and the passage of time as the sun rises, using abstract colors and curves. The curved lines connecting the ends depict the beautiful flow and connection of the waves, visually representing the concept of connecting regions, people, and things by ship. The three circles, symbolizing the sun, express the beauty of the sun rising from the horizon and the passage of time, creating an impression of special moments during a sea voyage. I designed the piece to achieve a balance of luxury and casualness through its beautiful gradient flow and colorful palette.

Kaho Fujimoto

"Connecting Journeys"

As this is a ship connecting Kobe and Oita, I created this piece based on the sasanqua, the city flower of Oita, and the hydrangea, the city flower of Kobe. I depicted the hydrangea as the sky and the sasanqua as the sun. The migratory birds represent how Sunflower connects our journeys. The deliberate overflow from the frame signifies the vastness of the sea and the desire for passengers to create memories that cannot be contained within any frame.

"Connecting Memories"

As this is a ship connecting Kobe and Oita, I created this piece based on the sasanqua, the city flower of Oita, and the hydrangea, the city flower of Kobe. I depicted the sasanqua as the sun (Sunflower) and the hydrangea as the sea. The composition for the sasanqua pays homage to the Sunflower logo, while the hydrangea is designed to resemble the mountain ranges of Kobe. I wanted this piece to have no fixed top or bottom, hence this composition.

Maho Fujimoto

"The Beginning of a Journey"

At the start of a journey, one feels excited about what sights await. I depicted a cheerful orca, holding a trunk and looking forward to the trip more than anyone, leading the Sunflower Gold and Pearl to their destination. I created this piece imagining the sea's companions finding and connecting with new encounters.

"Dawn Sky"

I depicted the sea at dawn, with the sunlight sparkling and reflecting. It expresses the feeling of anticipation for what lies beyond the horizon, and the sun, symbolizing Sunflower Gold and Pearl, gently awakens us with its warm light.

Io Morihiro

"Sunrise and Horizon"

I created this piece with the motif of the sea at dawn and the sunrise rising from the horizon. The bright sunrise illuminating the sea and the warm, nostalgic, and colorful palette achieve a balance between luxury and a casual impression, expressing the essence of "Sunflower." By using the texture of circles that resemble the sun and the actual sunlight reflected on the water's surface, the work conveys the beautiful texture created by nature.

"Flow and Connection"

I expressed the flow of ocean waves and the passage of time as the sun rises. The curved lines connecting the ends symbolize the beautiful flow and connection of the waves, visually representing the concept of connecting regions, people, and things by ship. The three circles, modeled after the sun, express the beauty of the sun rising from the horizon and the passage of time, creating an impression of special moments during a sea voyage. I designed the piece to balance luxury and casualness through its beautiful gradient flow and colorful palette.

Overview of Onboard Exhibition

Exhibition Location: Kobe-Oita Route "Sunflower Gold," "Sunflower Pearl" Cabins (Deluxe Rooms)

Participating Students: Tatsuki Irie, Hina Komoto, Yuuka Kimura, Iori Tsujisaka, Tsubame Hashizume, Kaho Fujimoto, Maho Fujimoto, Io Morihiro

Sunflower Official Website: https://www.ferry-sunflower.co.jp/news/article/post_203.html

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 産学連携