In spring 2015, Soichiro Kimura, director of the Japanese association of Nagoya “Arts Bridge Cities” (ABC), initiates the project “Utopia in the Cloud” thanks to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

As a result of collaboration between Nagoya and Saint-Étienne, both Creatives Cities of Design, the project aims to set up an ephemeral artistic creation on the belvedere of Nagoya’s television tower. To this end, a call for projects has been launched to students from Saint-Étienne’s “École Supérieure d’Art et de Design” (ESADSE).

According to Soichiro Kimura, architecture, art and design are tools to better improve social and cultural environment. On May 2015, he had decided to bring together the Comittee of UNESCO Creative City of Design of Nagoya, the Alliance française of the prefecture of Aichi, Nagoya Design Centre, and Saint-Étienne “Cité du design” to implement its project of international cooperation.

The winner project is untitled “À portée de Souffle” and is held by two students in 3^rd year, Lorie Bayen El Kaim and Lauriane Carra, whose are given the opportunity to gain a special experience by implementing a project in collaboration with international stakeholders.

From 26 February to 14 March 2016, “Utopia in the Cloud” will take off during an eighteen-day showcase, and will be crystallising the partnership between the Creative Cities of Saint-Étienne and Nagoya.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held on 25 February in the presence of the local press.