Virtual Photography Showcase 2026: Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store and 2 Other Sponsors/Exhibitors Confirmed. Photo Awards and Public Participation Project "Operation LaV 2.0" Also Launched.
Phonnect has announced that Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store will exhibit, and Gugenka and PHOTOPRI will sponsor the Virtual Photography Showcase 2026 (VPS2026), an international virtual photo exhibition held at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, from June 30 to July 5, 2026. Additionally, the 'Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3' and the VRChat user-participation project 'Operation LaV 2.0' will be held.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 22:05
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Phonnect (Representative: AmaNeko) announces that Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store will exhibit, and Gugenka and PHOTOPRI will sponsor the Virtual Photography Showcase 2026 (hereinafter, VPS2026), an international virtual photography exhibition scheduled to be held from June 30 to July 5, 2026, at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Citizen's Gallery B.
Concurrently, the 'Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3' hosted by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store, and 'Operation LaV 2.0', a VRChat user-participation project hosted by VPS, will also be carried out.
Exhibitor and Sponsor Company Introductions
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Co., Ltd.
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Co., Ltd. has developed metaverse businesses, including the production and sale of original 3D avatars and support for metaverse entry, under the vision of "supporting creators active in the metaverse as a company and building a growth model."
Official X Account: https://x.com/dm_avatar
At VPS2026, Daimaru Matsuzakaya will work with VPS to collectively raise awareness, value, and potential of virtual photography, and revitalize the virtual photography community and its economic sphere.
A "Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Space" will be set up within the venue, where exhibition content, including winning works from the Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3, is planned to be displayed. (※Details to be announced later)
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3
These awards are held with the aim of supporting the development of a new virtual culture, virtual photography, and promoting the creative activities of creators. (※Award details to be announced later)
■ Call for Entries Theme: "Why I take virtual photos"
Have you ever thought about why you take virtual photos?
Why do I want to take them? What do I want to express?
The reasons for taking photos may not always be expressible in words.
We look forward to receiving photos that convey your intentions, feelings, and passion – "This is what I want to shoot," "This is what I want to express."
【Project Outline】
Application Period: April 30, 2026 (Thu) ~ May 31, 2026 (Sun) 23:59
How to Enter: Post on X with '#DMフォトアワード3' and include the work title. Up to 10 works can be submitted per account (1 person).
Shooting Resolution: Full HD or higher (4K recommended)
Aspect Ratio: 1:1.414 or 5:7 (either vertical or horizontal is acceptable)
Winning Works: To be exhibited at the '21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Citizen's Gallery B', the venue for Virtual Photography Showcase 2026.
【4 Judges】
Professor Junichiro Koyama (Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media, Department of Game & Interactive Media)
Aimi Sekiguchi (VR Artist)
※Two others to be announced later
【Awards】
Grand Prize: 1 winner
Excellence Award: 5 winners
Judges' Award: 4 winners
Total: 10 winners
Details will be announced on the official X account: https://x.com/dm_avatar
Gugenka Inc.
■ About Gugenka Inc.
Gugenka is an XR creative studio that transmits Japanese IP to the world through XR technology. On its digital goods specialized EC site "X Market," you can purchase digital goods such as "Holomodel," official Japanese anime digital figures.
https://gugenka.jp/
As a silver sponsor for VPS2026, Gugenka will exhibit and sell "Holomodelink," a digital figure display developed by Gugenka. Holomodelink is a video-only display that allows users to decorate their rooms with their favorite video content and enjoy it. It can easily play videos by sending them via Wi-Fi or USB memory. In addition to displaying official digital figures, it can also display original videos created by creators, proposing a new exhibition and viewing experience for virtual photos and video works to visitors.
About Holomodelink: https://holomodels.jp/holomodelink
PHOTOPRI Co., Ltd.
PHOTOPRI is a printing service that has supported large-format printing for photo exhibitions, art exhibitions, and contests for 15 years. It brings out the power and presence of artworks through ultra-high-definition giclée prints using genuine EPSON printers and inks.
About PHOTOPRI: https://photopri.com/pages/company
At VPS2026, PHOTOPRI will also participate.
Concurrently, the 'Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3' hosted by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store, and 'Operation LaV 2.0', a VRChat user-participation project hosted by VPS, will also be carried out.
Exhibitor and Sponsor Company Introductions
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Co., Ltd.
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Co., Ltd. has developed metaverse businesses, including the production and sale of original 3D avatars and support for metaverse entry, under the vision of "supporting creators active in the metaverse as a company and building a growth model."
Official X Account: https://x.com/dm_avatar
At VPS2026, Daimaru Matsuzakaya will work with VPS to collectively raise awareness, value, and potential of virtual photography, and revitalize the virtual photography community and its economic sphere.
A "Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Space" will be set up within the venue, where exhibition content, including winning works from the Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3, is planned to be displayed. (※Details to be announced later)
Daimaru Matsuzakaya Virtual Photo Awards vol.3
These awards are held with the aim of supporting the development of a new virtual culture, virtual photography, and promoting the creative activities of creators. (※Award details to be announced later)
■ Call for Entries Theme: "Why I take virtual photos"
Have you ever thought about why you take virtual photos?
Why do I want to take them? What do I want to express?
The reasons for taking photos may not always be expressible in words.
We look forward to receiving photos that convey your intentions, feelings, and passion – "This is what I want to shoot," "This is what I want to express."
【Project Outline】
Application Period: April 30, 2026 (Thu) ~ May 31, 2026 (Sun) 23:59
How to Enter: Post on X with '#DMフォトアワード3' and include the work title. Up to 10 works can be submitted per account (1 person).
Shooting Resolution: Full HD or higher (4K recommended)
Aspect Ratio: 1:1.414 or 5:7 (either vertical or horizontal is acceptable)
Winning Works: To be exhibited at the '21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Citizen's Gallery B', the venue for Virtual Photography Showcase 2026.
【4 Judges】
Professor Junichiro Koyama (Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media, Department of Game & Interactive Media)
Aimi Sekiguchi (VR Artist)
※Two others to be announced later
【Awards】
Grand Prize: 1 winner
Excellence Award: 5 winners
Judges' Award: 4 winners
Total: 10 winners
Details will be announced on the official X account: https://x.com/dm_avatar
Gugenka Inc.
■ About Gugenka Inc.
Gugenka is an XR creative studio that transmits Japanese IP to the world through XR technology. On its digital goods specialized EC site "X Market," you can purchase digital goods such as "Holomodel," official Japanese anime digital figures.
https://gugenka.jp/
As a silver sponsor for VPS2026, Gugenka will exhibit and sell "Holomodelink," a digital figure display developed by Gugenka. Holomodelink is a video-only display that allows users to decorate their rooms with their favorite video content and enjoy it. It can easily play videos by sending them via Wi-Fi or USB memory. In addition to displaying official digital figures, it can also display original videos created by creators, proposing a new exhibition and viewing experience for virtual photos and video works to visitors.
About Holomodelink: https://holomodels.jp/holomodelink
PHOTOPRI Co., Ltd.
PHOTOPRI is a printing service that has supported large-format printing for photo exhibitions, art exhibitions, and contests for 15 years. It brings out the power and presence of artworks through ultra-high-definition giclée prints using genuine EPSON printers and inks.
About PHOTOPRI: https://photopri.com/pages/company
At VPS2026, PHOTOPRI will also participate.