Message

The world embraces a unique cultural sphere
that transcends national borders.

While each region carries its own history and values,
here they are open to unification, irrespective of the differences and inconsistencies.

A community united by life, not the economy.
Their wealth is far greater than that which is the visible,
achieved by the way people live, fully and vibrantly.

Over time, energies born from pure existence
have elevated into a form of expression called ‘art’.

Life, that no national borders or modern law can confine.
That is where we cannot help realizing the potential of humanity.

In the fields of art and culture,
new perspectives have emerged
that have, in fact, always been here since ancient times.

In praise of humanity. In praise of life.

Foundation Profile

Name
Aura Contemporary Art Foundation
Date of Establishment
July 1, 2019
Representative Director
Yuto Yabumoto
Purpose
Aura Contemporary Art Foundation aims to build a peaceful world by preserving the "unique vernacular value" of each place, which have been lost in the course of global modernisation and urbanisation.
Activities
In order to preserve these small 'places' and 'stories', the foundation conducts research, archiving, exhibitions, and collections of culture rooted in vernacular places and promotes exchange with artists and curators in each place through contemporary art.

Member

  • Aung Myat Htay (Myanmar)
    Originally from Mandalay, upper Myanmar. In 1993 he certificated from the Fine Art school in Mandalay and in 1998 graduated in BFA at the University of Art & Culture,Yangon.
    Going beyond the traditional means of expression, he explores the potential of freedom of expression found in contemporary art. He does so by expressing social messages with work that combines contemporary and traditional art. He is deeply involved in the artistic community of Myanmar, where he shares the role of curator and writer since 2008. He has presented work in several regions of Asia including Japan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Hong kong and in US. He has participated in various residencies and exhibitions among which the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Fukuoka, Japan), Live Art Festival (Banglore, India), Koganecho Bazaar International Art Festival (Yokohama, Japan). In 2014 he received six-month grant from Asian Cultural Council(ACC) for New York Residency and research contemporary art in the US. In 2015 he co-founded SOCA (School of Contemporary Art), an alternative art learning community to support the new generation of art. The group also aims to reshaping and shaking in traditional limitations on art & culture. Recently he co-curated the public art project for the Yangon Art & Heritage Festival “My Yangon My Home” 2nd version hold in Yangon. Now he based in Yangon and currently working as a freelance artist & curator, and writer.
  • Chum Chanveasna (Cambodia)
    Chum Chanveasna is Manager of Sa Sa Art, the only artist-run space in Phnom Penh dedicated for experimental and community art practices and Co-founder of TorTim Art Gallery & Café. She has participated in numerous prestigious national and international programs for professional development, including: Creator-in-residency, Tokyo Wonder Site (Tokyo Art Space now), Tokyo, Japan, 2017; CuratorsLAB with Goethe-Institut, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2015-2017; FIELDS: on attachement + unknow, SA SA BASSAC, Phnom Penh, 2017; Dislocations: Remapping Art Histories, Tate Modern, London, 2015; Cambodian Living Arts Fellowship during Season of Cambodia Festival, New York City, 2013; Fellowship with International Society for the Performing Arts in New York City, 2012; Asia Europe Foundation’s Atelier for Young Festival Managers in Singapore, 2011; and International Arts Management Fellowship Program for Arts Managers at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC, 2010.
  • Misouda HEUANGSOUKKHOUN (Laos)
    Misouda HEUANGSOUKKHOUN is the Founder of Mekong Art Initiative or (MAI) and the Manager of Lao Gallery. Misouda’s passion for art developed when her parents opened the Lao Gallery, the first art gallery in Laos in 1985 after Independence for Laos was achieved in 1975. By helping in her parents business, Misouda have been involved with many art activities in Laos. Misouda’s started her curatorial work in 2006 when she participated in the Mekong Art and Culture Project as a co-curator with the team from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. She combines her strong interest in art with her passion for social work through art exhibitions organized to raise funds for children with autism in Laos. Misouda was co-curator for the Singapore Biennale 2013, and a nominator of Laotian artist for the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale, Japan, in 2010 and a nominator of Laotian artist for the Signature Art Prize, Singapore in 2012 and 2014. In 2016, Misouda was invited from Taiwan Ministry of Culture to be a member of the inaugural Southeast Asia Advisory Committee to foster Art and Culture activities Between South East Asian and Taiwan.