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Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba) / Yuga Soma-Uéno

“And what will happen to fluorescent lights?” An explanation and practical application of fluorescent lights and art history.

September 6, 2025

Exploring the relationship between fluorescent lights and art reveals not only the complex interplay between lighting and artwork but also the profound depth that hints at a facet of modern art history.

Using famous works that elevate fluorescent lights themselves into art as examples, this article will explain the mechanisms and intentions behind these pieces, while also providing an accessible overview of Yuga Uéno’s upcoming fluorescent light installation “Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)” to be exhibited at this art festival.

Additionally, we will explore the works in a different way from the exhibition, such as activating works currently under construction, experiencing phenomena created by combining various devices, and becoming part of the work. We aim to provide an opportunity to discover an unexpected side of the familiar fluorescent light.

※If you have any unused or non-functioning fluorescent lights, please bring them along.

Event Overview

Participation and Application Method

Please apply using the application form.

〈Application period: August 14 (Thu) to September 5 (Fri)〉

Heatstroke Prevention Measures

Please take measures to prevent heatstroke by staying hydrated and wearing a hat, etc., according to the environment. If you feel unwell, please notify a nearby staff member.

Photography and Video Recording

Photography and video recording will be conducted on the day for promotional and record-keeping purposes. Media outlets may also conduct interviews and filming. Photographs and videos taken may be published on the Chiba International Art Festival website, social media, brochures, and other promotional materials, as well as on television, magazines, and other media. We kindly ask for your understanding in advance.

application form

Base of this exhibitions & events

Other exhibitions & events of "Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)"

Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)

Around Chiba Station
Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba) is a project that collects and repairs fluorescent lamps in Chiba City destined for disposal, combines them with radios and speakers, and then “revives” them in the form of a light and sound installation. The project comprises two main phases: collecting fluorescent lamps from around the city and then exhibiting blinking lights using the collected lamps. The backdrop to the project is the so-called Fluorescent Lamp Problem of 2027, prohibiting the manufacture, import, and export of conventional fluorescent lamps from that year. The market is currently in a state of transition, with increasing numbers of people replacing their fluorescent lighting and disposing of the old lamps at the same time. Yuga Soma-Uéno has collected discarded fluorescent lamps from various places and used them in his previous work. The collection phase of this project not only collects the lamps but also incorporates within the process of replacement and disposal an element of communication through dialogue about fluorescent lighting that involves the local community. The goal of the phase is to share and record impressions and experiences of soon-to-disappear fluorescent lamps, while re-examining the actual conditions of fluorescent lighting in terms of how they work through lectures and workshops. In the exhibition phase of the project, the collected fluorescent lamps are adjusted so that they flicker, and then combined with radios, speakers, and other devices to build an exhibit. The electromagnetic waves emitted by the flickering fluorescent lamps interfere with radio waves, producing various noises. The light and sound accumulate and overflow, continually creating new countenances. By placing electromagnetic waves in opposition with the functions of tools as well as the audio and noise of radio, and colliding these elements together, the installation demonstrates the phenomena evinced by the inherent nature of things and their “thingness” as counterpoints through a new approach. The exhibition lights up and opens to the public from early evening to night. Alongside the exhibition, the context and process of sharing the memories and experiences related to the materials recorded during the collection phase and at events and workshops are made public and presented in the form of videos, panels, and more. The flickering light and sounds evoke a sense of nostalgia and pathos, though for some generations may also seem like a novel medium. Soma-Uéno aspires to present the impressions and thoughts of various people, and the ever-changing time and space as they combine, in a multilayered way across the two phases. Through the fluorescent lamps once so familiar to us, but which are now disappearing, the project explores the role of art in connecting different objects, objects and people, people and the community, consumption and circulation, and memory and the future. [Types of citizen involvement] Providing materials (fluorescent lamps), Event and workshop participation, Exhibition viewing
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Other exhibitions & events of "Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)"

Other exhibitions & events

Oct19(Sun) Nov15(Sat) Ended
Events Providing materials
Hiroshi Fuji

Frog Staff Information Session

Become a Frog Staff member and help make the Kaekko Bazaar a blast for everyone!
Frogs in 33 years
SOGO CHIBA
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Workshops Exhibition
tetogu

“Dig in the Future! Pottery Zoological Park” Exhibition

Observation of Locality in Changes of Landscape
Observation of Locality in Changes of Landscape
Place: Chiba Zoological Park
Others
Full (multiple days) Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition Performance
Gregory Maass & Nayoungim

PSYCHOBUILDING®

Starting from philosophical dialogues on the multilayered and complex nature of “meaning,” an exhibition held at multiple locations throughout Chiba City.
PSYCHOBUILDING®
Sen City Garden Terrace basement (waterfall area), B1F Tsukamoto Chiba No. 3 Building, 3F Tsukamoto Dai-Chiba Building
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Iwasawa Bros.

Chimera Amusement Store / Arts Unagi(Eel)

The former site of an eel restaurant has been transformed into a unique shop and hub! Craft events and more are held here.
Chimera Amusement Store / Arts Unagi(Eel)
Arts Unagi
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Workshops Exhibiting works Exhibition
Slow Art Collective

STATION to STATION

Creating a place for encounters and joy, where playing becomes a work of art.
STATION to STATION
2nd Floor, Chiba Urban Monorail Chiba Station, Chiba Children’s Hospital
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Yuta Maejima

About Conversations

Holding dialogue workshops throughout the city. Connecting the traces of dialogue left behind to raise a “flag.”
About Conversations
Rooftop, Daiichi Yamazaki Building, Site of Midori-cho Parking
Others
No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibiting works Exhibition
Maša Travljanin

I WISH TOMORROW

Centered around the universally familiar act of making wishes, the project fosters dialogue and empathy among people.
I WISH TOMORROW
Fujimi 2 Chome Akichi
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Kazuhiko Hiwa

walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba]

Creating ramps from recycled materials like used clothing and plastic bottles. Considering an inclusive local community.
walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba]
Nishi-Chiba Campus, Chiba University, 1000city Garden
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Proper (90 min to 1 day)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Tsubasa Kato

Rift in Repetition

Local residents help pull and raise a giant structure, creating new relationships
Pull and Raise/Topple
Saiwaicho Housing Complex Triangle Area, Saiwaicho Community Center Library, Mikey HOUSE
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Nov1(Sat) Nov2(Sun) Ended
Workshops Discussions, and events Events Walking around town Research

Time Lag Park 3

A program exploring public spaces through three shared experiences, considering how to share public spaces.
Time Lag Park
Overhead Space above National Route 357
Around Chiba City Hall
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Proper (90 min to 1 day) Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Tsuyoshi Anzai

Giant Micro Plastic

Microplastics collected from the coast become large sculptures. An art project that makes you think about the environment.
Giant Micro Plastic
Image Memorial Hall
Kaihin area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibiting works Exhibition
Zhang Jie (ReBuild Lab)

The Flow of Kindness

Share personal experiences and words of encouragement on a traveling temporary blackboard, delivering positive energy to one another.
The Flow of Kindness
Hanamigawa Ward Office (outdoors), Inage Seaside Park (lawn)
Kaihin area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Simon Whetham

Made to Malfunction in Chiba

The materials are used small appliances that are no longer needed. By incorporating them into the artwork, we give them a “second life.”
Made to Malfunction in Chiba
8F Daini Yamazaki Bldg
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
tetogu

Observation of Locality in Changes of Landscape

Displaying excavated soil and mining residues. Uncovering the true landscape of the land, revealed through the earth.
Observation of Locality in Changes of Landscape
Kurosunadai vacant plot, Shinanoya Building
Others
No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Sayoko Suwabe

Chiba Penpen Saisyuki (Collection of Pieces in Chiba)

Capturing landscapes worth remembering as clay rubbings. Fired in open-air kilns, these works evoke a connection with nature.
Embody Ephemeral Chiba
Former Pasta House
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Full (multiple days)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Workshops Exhibition
Yoshiaki Kuribara

Let’s Make a Model for Theme Park “My Chiba City!”

200 “My Future Chiba” models made by children living across the city become a huge theme park!
Let’s Make a Model for Theme Park “My Chiba City!”
Illuminated Garden, Chiba Port Tower
Around Chiba City Hall
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibiting works Exhibition
Yoshinari Nishio

Marking Pin of Urban District “Machi-Machi Market”

Machi-Machi Tailor's product fair, "Machimachi Market"
Marking Pin of Urban District
Under the elevated railroad of JR Sobu Line, next to Nishi-Chiba Park
Nishi-Chiba area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Hiroshi Fuji

Frogs in 33 years

What will the future of local communities and the environment look like? Thinking about it through the “Frog Pond” created from collected toys.
Frogs in 33 years
South Atrium, Sencity Tower
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Proper (90 min to 1 day) Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition Archive display
Nozomi Suzuki

Words of Light

Focusing on “holes” and “light” in the city. Exhibiting works utilizing the principle of pinhole cameras.
Words of Light
Former Chiba Inohana Post Office
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Muneteru Ujino

House of Homy

Set in the former clinic, the exhibition features a video work tracing Chiba City's modern history alongside dynamic installations.
House of Homy
Former clinic
Around Chiba Station
No extra fee required No reservation required Full (multiple days) Proper (90 min to 1 day) Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Hanae Miyamoto

“From ち(Chi) to ち(Chi-knowledge)”

A “ち(Chi)” Shaped Monument Project Created with a Friend with Disabilities, Colored with Diverse Hues and Techniques
“From ち(Chi) to ち(Chi-knowledge)”
September 19 (Fri) – November 24 (Mon, substitute holiday), 2025
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Tadasu Takamine

Sculptural Rebirth

The heads of organizations hosting the art festival, including the mayor of Chiba City, and the citizens opposing them—cast in plaster and displayed as empty shells.
Sculptural Rebirth
Chiba City Municipal Office
Around Chiba City Hall
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
TMPR

Konjaku-AR Doubutsu Shakkei(Borrowed Scenery of Animals from Past and Present)

Chiba City Zoo: Animals Displayed Through AR!? The Fusion of Cultural Assets and Technology
Borrowed Scenery of Animals from Past and Present
Chiba Zoological Park (Animal Science Pavilion)
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Workshops Exhibition
Yohei Chimura

Rolling Landscape 2025_Chiba City

Glass tires crafted from sand dust collected in Chiba City. Dragged through the city streets, they are returned to the urban landscape once more.
Rolling Landscape 2025_Chiba City
Chiba Shrine
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Yuka Numata

Parallel World

An installation themed around “bugs in everyday life,” experienced on an unused monorail platform
Parallel World
Chiba Urban Monorail Kencho-Mae Station
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Alexey Krupnik

Secret people

A street documentary-style photo exhibition capturing the daily lives of people working in Chiba City
Secret people
Sogo Chiba (in front of main entrance)
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition Archive display
Alina Bliumis and Jeff Bliumis

A Painting For A Family Dinner

A local family and an artist couple exchanged “dinner” and “paintings.” Photographs documenting their exchange are on display.
A Painting For A Family Dinner
Nishichiba Residence Avenue(temporary fencing), Chibagin Consulting Plaza Chiba (window)
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Workshops Exhibition
Chaal.Chaal.Agency

Mobile Engawa

Developing “Mobile Engawa” primarily around Chiba Station as a collaborative space for co-creation through mutual engagement
Mobile Engawa
TsukuruNiwa
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition Archive display
Fukutoshin II

Fukutoshin II Tourist Information

Uncovering local stories as “living heritage.” Exhibiting living heritage and works inspired by it.
Fukutoshin II _ Chiba Kaihin (Coastal) District Project
2F, WEST RIO 2
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Yuga Soma-Uéno

Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)

Collecting fluorescent lights—to be banned from production and import in 2027—from the community to create a light and sound installation.
Tele-Interference Counterpoints (in Chiba)
9F Daiichi Yamazaki Bldg.
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Toshimitsu Ito

GAYU-Temple under the bridge railway track

Beneath the overpass, a colossal 18-meter-tall statue of a goddess appears, crafted from materials salvaged during building demolition and discarded furniture.
GAYU-Temple under the bridge railway track
Former site of pachinko (pinball) saloon under the bridge railway track of JR Nishi-Chiba Station
Nishi-Chiba area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep27(Sat) Ended
Discussions, and events

What does it mean to create? Why do we need art that goes beyond ‘common sense’?

“Chi-C-W Club” means “in Chiba City,” “Create,” and “Wonderful talk in a circle”. Guest: Hiroshi Fuji
Chi-C-W Club
Arts Unagi 2F
Ichibacho/Inohana area
No extra fee required Proper (90 min to 1 day)
Oct9(Thu) Ended
Discussions, and events

What is a “citizen”? Why is “activity” important in our daily lives?

“Chi-C-W Club” means “in Chiba City,” “Create,” and “Wonderful talk in a circle”. Guest: Risei Sato,Kanako Iwanaka
Chi-C-W Club
Arts Unagi 2F
Ichibacho/Inohana area
No extra fee required Proper (90 min to 1 day)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition

Art Independents Exhibition

The exhibiting artists are people who live, work, and study in Chiba City! A participatory exhibition where anyone can express themselves and join in.
Salon des indépendants (Art Independent Exhibition)
Chiba City Hall 1F, Former Gaozhou No. 2 Middle School Gymnasium
Around Chiba City Hall
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Proper (90 min to 1 day) Quick (max 90 min)
Sep26(Fri) Oct1(Wed) Ended
Events Exhibition
Shi Yuxin

Chiba City Game Week

A week-long urban game unfolding in Chiba
City Game
Various locations in Chiba City
Others
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition Archive display
Riru Mizuguchi

Daub!

Collecting cardboard from shops and homes, tracing traces and memories to shape “urban nests”
Peeling the Skin
Former Ichiharaya
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Exhibition
Michihiko Yanai

“Advertisement”

The Relationship Between “Advertisement” and “Warning” in Public Spaces: Questioning the Nature of Public Advertising as Art
“Advertisement”
Walls of  Chiba City Fire Department Center, Fire Bureau (Safety Chiba)
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Sep19(Fri) Nov24(Mon) Ended
Events
Min Nishihara

Go with your buddy

Creating opportunities for healing and connection through art at children's hospitals. A project for those spending their daily lives in hospitals.
Go with your buddy
Chiba Children's Hospital
Others
Sep11(Thu) Sep16(Tue) Ended
Workshops
Kazuhiko Hiwa

walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba] 【practice3. Everyone installs the completed ramp.】

Together with artists, we will install ramps at Chiba University's Nishi-Chiba Campus and throughout the city of Chiba!
walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba]
Chiba University Nishi-Chiba Campus
Nishi-Chiba area
No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Sep20(Sat) Ended
Discussions, and events
Muneteru Ujino

Talk Show 「Ujino, House of Homy and the Rotators」

Artist Muneteru Ujino explains the content, background, and techniques behind his exhibited works!
House of Homy
Former Clinic
Around Chiba Station
No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Oct11(Sat) Ended
Workshops Walking around town Research
Nozomi Suzuki

“Words of Light” workshop Searching for the words of light

Let's try to find the image of light appearing in a hole in Chiba City!
Words of Light
Venue: Former Inohana Post Office
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Sep6(Sat) Ended
Workshops Walking around town Research
Nozomi Suzuki

“Words of Light”workshop Translating the language of light

Let's take some pictures in holes in Chiba City!
Words of Light
venue: Former Inohana Post Office
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children Full (multiple days)
Aug30(Sat) Ended
Performance participation
Tsubasa Kato

Pull and Raise/Topple

100 people pull on a rope and flip over a huge structure in one go!
Pull and Raise/Topple
Saiwaicho Housing Complex, open space in front of Shoju Mihama
Kaihin area
Fun for children No extra fee required No reservation required Quick (max 90 min)
Aug23(Sat) Ended
Workshops Walking around town Research
Kazuhiko Hiwa

Chiba city walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba]

Let's walk around Chiba Station and look for places where ramps need to be installed.
walkingpractice™ code_bridge [spec_chiba]
venue: Around Chiba station
Around Chiba Station
Fun for children No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Jul26(Sat) Aug17(Sun) Ended
Workshops
tetogu

Digging Workshop

Why not take a peek into the past buried beneath your feet through digging holes and imagine the future that lies ahead?
Observation of Locality in Changes of Landscape
Venue: Kurosuna-dai vacant lot
Nishi-Chiba area
Fun for children No extra fee required Full (multiple days) Proper (90 min to 1 day)
Aug10(Sun) Ended
Assisting with filming
Yuka Numata

Parallel World Model collaborators wanted

Become the subject and enter a parallel world!
Parallel World
venue: Chiba Urban Monorail Kencho-Mae station
Ichibacho/Inohana area
Fun for children No extra fee required Proper (90 min to 1 day)
Aug3(Sun) Aug17(Sun) Ended
Workshops
Yuta Maejima

「About Conversations」Workshop

A place for free conversation while doodling on cloth
About Conversations
Venue: iori nishichiba
Nishi-Chiba area
Fun for children No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Aug11(Mon) Ended
Workshops
Toshimitsu Ito

“Praying at the temple under the bridge railway track”Making wind chimes and dedicating them to the gods workshop

Let's all make wind chimes with strips of paper attached to the body of a giant goddess statue.
GAYU-Temple under the bridge railway track
venue:Nishichiba Workshop
Nishi-Chiba area
Fun for children No extra fee required Full (multiple days)
Aug31(Sun) Ended
Events
Fukutoshin II

Fukutoshin II History survey tour

Let's visit places that hold memories related to everyday life!
Fukutoshin II _ Chiba Kaihin (Coastal) District Project
Meeting place: Keisei Inage Station
Kaihin area