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BURN-IN goes Japan

GreenART.

When art writes the future - a blend of aesthetics and responsibility.

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Review GreenART Japan II

With GreenART Japan II, Sonja Dolzer and Cordelia Lehmann-Reinthaller made a striking statement at the interface of art, business and diplomacy in October 2025. Embedded in the context of the Austrian Strategic Business Summit Indo-Pacific in Tokyo - with 300 high-caliber participants from 15 nations - new perspectives on sustainable transformation and cultural responsibility were opened up. GreenART was not part of the summit itself, but part of a movement that makes it clear: the future is created where creativity and economic thinking do not exclude each other, but complement each other. The discussions in Tokyo offered insights into macro- and micro-economic contexts, new forms of cross-industry cooperation - and the growing interest in understanding culture as part of strategic sustainability models.

Intense dialogues with Austrian Ambassador Michael Rendi, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Tokyo Arno Mitterdorfer, Akiko Soga, representatives of Advantage Austria (WKO) and the international participants of the ASBS made it clear how much cultural exchange also strengthens economic bridges. GreenART is synonymous with this connection: art as a resonance space for transformation, as a mediator between economic structure and humanistic attitude. Especially in a time of global upheaval, it is clear that cultural competence is part of economic sustainability.

Two exhibitions marked the highlight of the journey in terms of content - where GreenART went from strategic concept to tangible reality: in the VIP area of the Austria Pavilion at EXPO Osaka, in cooperation with the Meisterstrasse, and in the Kyoto Prefectural Building, where Austrian and Japanese design philosophies entered into a sensitive dialog. Two sculptures by Cordelia Lehmann-Reinthaller suffered visible damage during transportation - and were nevertheless shown. In this deliberate approach to imperfection - entirely in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi and the Kintsugi tradition, which gilds flaws instead of hiding them - the attitude of this mission was condensed: Beauty lies in transformation, in the dignity of the process, not in the flawless surface.

GreenART is continuing this approach - the collaboration with Japanese partners is set to continue in Vienna in 2026.Not only new exhibitions are planned, but also formats that combine cultural competence, corporate responsibility and aesthetic depth - as a contribution to a future in which art not only stages, but also creates substance and makes attitude visible.
 

 
October 2, 2025
Diplomatic encounters

Tokyo - Austrian Cultural Forum & Austrian Embassy

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In the middle of the vibrant Roppongi district lies the Austrian Embassy in Tokyo, together with the Austrian Cultural Forum (ACFT) - a place of international encounters where art and diplomacy naturally intertwine. In the morning, Director Arno Mitterdorfer and Akiko Soga welcomed us to discuss our GreenART approach and possible cooperation formats. It was an intensive discussion about art and culture as a strategic lever - about positioning, responsibility and the role of art in social change. It quickly became clear that if you want to build something in Japan, you not only need ideas and concepts, but also long-term trust, reliability and cultural awareness. Japan business is not a sprint - it's a marathon.

In the evening, Ambassador Michael Rendi opened the doors of the residence for a festive reception as part of the Austrian Strategic Business Summit - an evening that impressively demonstrated how diplomacy, business and culture can work together to create impact. Culinary delights, garden architecture, taiko drumming: everything was finely composed. The international audience - representatives from diplomacy, business and relevant organizations - felt visibly welcome. For us, it was far more than just a reception: a clear sign of Austria's presence in Japan - and a moment in which, as a gallery owner and artist, we could simply be proud to be part of it.


October 3, 2025
Summit

Tokyo - Austrian Strategic Business Summit | Indo-Pacific

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Tokyo became the meeting place for economic policy perspectives at the beginning of October: The Austrian Strategic Business Summit | Indo-Pacific brought together over 300 high-caliber decision-makers from 15 countries - from India and Southeast Asia to Japan and China. It was the largest foreign event organized by AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA in 2025 to date. Panels, keynote speeches and background discussions made it clear that the Indo-Pacific is no longer a distant future region, but a strategic action area that demands new answers to geopolitical upheavals, supply chain issues and sustainable development.

What made the summit special was its focus on connections: between macro- and microeconomics, innovation and responsibility, export opportunities and cultural embedding. Austria presented itself as a reliable, value-oriented partner - with an entrepreneurial self-image that sees sustainability not as an image factor, but as a strategic leitmotif. The intensive exchange with the business delegates, representatives of international institutions and visionary companies showed impressively that cooperation is not a side effect of global markets - it is their prerequisite.

In this environment, it also became clear what role cultural approaches such as GreenART can play in future partnerships. The summit showed that GreenART is in tune with the times - as a cultural lever for sustainability, economic cooperation and social responsibility. The Indo-Pacific offers the environment to take this approach further - not just as an aesthetic statement, but as an active contribution to shaping the global future.

October 4, 2025
Cultural milestones

EXPO Osaka Austrian Pavilion

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Shortly before the end of EXPO 2025 in Osaka, the BURN-IN Gallery made a subtle but powerful statement: Together with Cordelia Lehmann-Reinthaller, who was there in person for the first time, gallery owner Sonja Dolzer presented the sculpture Lady Buttoned Up in the VIP room of the Austrian Pavilion - an exclusive area reserved for high-ranking delegations. The invitation to the presentation was a special honor - for BURN-IN and Meisterstrasse. A moment that highlighted the relevance of curated exhibitions in an international context.

The space, inspired by the aesthetics of the Wiener Werkstätten, has an architectural impact and conveys attitude: it translates Austrian design heritage into a contemporary, diplomatic stage. The sculpture selected by BURN-IN entered into a multi-layered dialog with the space, context and audience. The personal presence of the artist lent additional depth to the presentation - a subtle appearance with a strong impact that impressively combined art, craftsmanship and international representation.

October 5, 2025
Cultural milestones

Exhibition at the Kyoto Prefectural Palace

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The strictly listed Kyoto Prefectural Building, a representative building from the Meiji period, provided the ideal setting for an exclusive exhibition that was not only aesthetically pleasing, but also built cultural bridges. In these historic rooms, BURN-IN showed five sculptures, embedded in a presentation that was conceived together with Meisterstrasse - as a visible sign of a newly initiated dialog between Austrian and Japanese design. The exchange with the participating artists from both countries was characterized by respect, curiosity and the common ambition to further develop this format and anchor it in the long term.

The high level of appreciation was also reflected in the guest list: With Kyoto Mayor Koji Matsui, Vice Mayor Shigetaka Takeuchi, the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture Takatoshi Nishiwaki, representatives from the arts, business and press, the opening was prominent and effective. The show was precisely curated, clear in content and atmospherically powerful. The fact that art not only creates an impact, but can also actively shape location policy, was clearly visible and tangible here.

A sequel is in preparation: a few weeks ago, Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig visited Kyoto to negotiate specific projects for 2026 in Vienna. The exhibition in Kyoto was therefore not only a cultural highlight, but also a contribution to sustainable international networking between cities, markets and creative systems.

October 1-8, 2025
Japan in moments

From the Shinkansen to the Tokyo Tower - impressions of a special journey

Cordelia Lehmann-Reinthaller | Sonja Dolzer
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Three cities, many perspectives: Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo formed the backdrop for a journey full of contrasts - between stillness and speed, concentration and vastness. The Golden and Silver Pavilions in Kyoto, Roppongi at night, Asakusa in the morning, the view from Tokyo Tower, the train station as an architectural choreography, the Shinkansen as a symbol of a country in motion. Unforgettable impressions remain, moments of perception - between past and future, between form and sensation.

In the background of these images were conversations with depth: about cooperation, cultural responsibility and the interplay between art and the future. GreenART - visible in presence, tangible in attitude, resonant in dialog. What remains is not just the memory - but a relationship that develops from it.