- 《Sprout》／2024
evala
evala
- ART EXHIBITION
Musician and sound artist. Founder of "See by Your Ears".
Utilizing a three-dimensional sound system that does not rely on existing formats, he develops installations that unlock the potential of hearing through his unique "spatial composition," weaving sounds within the unique acoustics of each location. He has presented his works in a variety of spaces, from anechoic chambers to gardens, ruins, public spaces, museums, and theaters, and has received high international acclaim. In 2025, he received the Ars Electronica 2025 Isao Tomita Special Prize, an international award, for his pioneering exploration of spatial sound art and his contributions to expanding the possibilities of sound art. In 2026, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's New Artist Award at the 76th Arts Selection Awards.
His major solo exhibitions include "evala: Appearing Place, Vanishing Image" (NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC], 2024). He also presents his unique, invisible works at venues such as the Yoro Tenmei Hantenchi (Site of Reversible Destiny), the World Heritage site Yakushiji Temple, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, the Towada Art Center, Sonar (Spain), SXSW (USA), the National Asian Culture Center (South Korea), and the EN NOVA ART Museum (China).
"Sprout" MYAF2026 ver.
"Sprout," meaning "sprouting," is a three-dimensional sound artwork in which countless original speakers of different shapes each emit different sounds, creating an organic ecosystem of sound throughout the entire space. Viewers can freely walk through this multitude of sounds and experience it with their whole bodies.
The latest installment in evala's "Sprout" series, presented as the MYAF2026 version, features soprano singer Ayako Tanaka, who is active in Vienna and Tokyo. This work will create a new sonic space that expands the possibilities of the human voice, along with recordings of Ayako Tanaka's various vocal ranges, which are among the few in the world to possess such an extremely high vocal range.
(In cooperation with Tokyu Corporation and Bunkamura)
Ayako Tanaka
At the age of 18, she went to Vienna alone to study. At 22, she made her solo debut at the Bern State Opera in Switzerland, becoming the first Japanese person and the youngest person to do so at the theater.
After that, she performed in various parts of the world, including Vienna, London, Paris, and Buenos Aires.
As a coloratura soprano, who boasts an exceptionally high vocal range, she has earned high acclaim for her clear voice and outstanding technique.
In 2019, he was selected as one of Newsweek magazine's "100 Japanese People the World Respects." He won the Best Premiere Award in Argentina and received a 5-star rating from BBC Music Magazine in the UK.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hiroshima AICJ Junior and Senior High School. Resides in Vienna and Tokyo.
evala is a Japanese sound artist and composer. At the core of his artistry is the project “See by Your Ears,” presents which new auditory experiences to awaken the inherent, dormant potential of human hearing. The practice centers on “spatial composition”: utilizing 3D sound systems that existing transcend formats, he composes and weaves sound with in the site-specific resonances of each location, transforming environments into installations that melt sensory boundaries.
His work has been presented in globally diverse settings, including anechoic chambers, gardens, ruins, public spaces, museums, and theaters. For his visionary exploration of spatial sound art with in a vision-centric world and his role in democratizing it, evala was awarded Isao Tomita Special Prize at Prix Ars Electronica in 2025. He was further honored with the Ministry of Education's Art Encouragement Prize in 2026, recognizing his pioneering contributions as a leading figure in contemporary sound art.
https://evala.jp/
https://seebyyourears.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evalaport/?hl=ja
“Sprout” MYAF2026 ver Featuring Ayako Tanaka
The latest installation of evala's “Sprout” series is presented as the MYAF2026 version, featuring soprano singer Ayako Tanaka.
Ayako Tanaka
Ayako Tanaka is a Coloratura Soprano. She moved to Vienna at the age of 18 and made her soloist debut at the Bern State Opera in Switzerland at 22. Known for her exceptionally high, crystalline coloratura voice, she has performed internationally in Vienna, London, Paris, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, and beyond. Her recordings have received international acclaim, including a five-star review from BBC Music Magazine and the Best Premiere Award in Argentina.
https://ayakotanakaofficial.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayakotanaka_official/
Photo Credits:
Installation view: Courtesy of Bunkamura and Shibuya Fashion Week
evala portrait: Susumu Kunisaki
Ayako Tanaka portrait: ©Victory
Utilizing a three-dimensional sound system that does not rely on existing formats, he develops installations that unlock the potential of hearing through his unique "spatial composition," weaving sounds within the unique acoustics of each location. He has presented his works in a variety of spaces, from anechoic chambers to gardens, ruins, public spaces, museums, and theaters, and has received high international acclaim. In 2025, he received the Ars Electronica 2025 Isao Tomita Special Prize, an international award, for his pioneering exploration of spatial sound art and his contributions to expanding the possibilities of sound art. In 2026, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's New Artist Award at the 76th Arts Selection Awards.
His major solo exhibitions include "evala: Appearing Place, Vanishing Image" (NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC], 2024). He also presents his unique, invisible works at venues such as the Yoro Tenmei Hantenchi (Site of Reversible Destiny), the World Heritage site Yakushiji Temple, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, the Towada Art Center, Sonar (Spain), SXSW (USA), the National Asian Culture Center (South Korea), and the EN NOVA ART Museum (China).
"Sprout" MYAF2026 ver.
"Sprout," meaning "sprouting," is a three-dimensional sound artwork in which countless original speakers of different shapes each emit different sounds, creating an organic ecosystem of sound throughout the entire space. Viewers can freely walk through this multitude of sounds and experience it with their whole bodies.
The latest installment in evala's "Sprout" series, presented as the MYAF2026 version, features soprano singer Ayako Tanaka, who is active in Vienna and Tokyo. This work will create a new sonic space that expands the possibilities of the human voice, along with recordings of Ayako Tanaka's various vocal ranges, which are among the few in the world to possess such an extremely high vocal range.
(In cooperation with Tokyu Corporation and Bunkamura)
Ayako Tanaka
At the age of 18, she went to Vienna alone to study. At 22, she made her solo debut at the Bern State Opera in Switzerland, becoming the first Japanese person and the youngest person to do so at the theater.
After that, she performed in various parts of the world, including Vienna, London, Paris, and Buenos Aires.
As a coloratura soprano, who boasts an exceptionally high vocal range, she has earned high acclaim for her clear voice and outstanding technique.
In 2019, he was selected as one of Newsweek magazine's "100 Japanese People the World Respects." He won the Best Premiere Award in Argentina and received a 5-star rating from BBC Music Magazine in the UK.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hiroshima AICJ Junior and Senior High School. Resides in Vienna and Tokyo.
evala is a Japanese sound artist and composer. At the core of his artistry is the project “See by Your Ears,” presents which new auditory experiences to awaken the inherent, dormant potential of human hearing. The practice centers on “spatial composition”: utilizing 3D sound systems that existing transcend formats, he composes and weaves sound with in the site-specific resonances of each location, transforming environments into installations that melt sensory boundaries.
His work has been presented in globally diverse settings, including anechoic chambers, gardens, ruins, public spaces, museums, and theaters. For his visionary exploration of spatial sound art with in a vision-centric world and his role in democratizing it, evala was awarded Isao Tomita Special Prize at Prix Ars Electronica in 2025. He was further honored with the Ministry of Education's Art Encouragement Prize in 2026, recognizing his pioneering contributions as a leading figure in contemporary sound art.
https://evala.jp/
https://seebyyourears.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evalaport/?hl=ja
“Sprout” MYAF2026 ver Featuring Ayako Tanaka
The latest installation of evala's “Sprout” series is presented as the MYAF2026 version, featuring soprano singer Ayako Tanaka.
Ayako Tanaka
Ayako Tanaka is a Coloratura Soprano. She moved to Vienna at the age of 18 and made her soloist debut at the Bern State Opera in Switzerland at 22. Known for her exceptionally high, crystalline coloratura voice, she has performed internationally in Vienna, London, Paris, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, and beyond. Her recordings have received international acclaim, including a five-star review from BBC Music Magazine and the Best Premiere Award in Argentina.
https://ayakotanakaofficial.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayakotanaka_official/
Photo Credits:
Installation view: Courtesy of Bunkamura and Shibuya Fashion Week
evala portrait: Susumu Kunisaki
Ayako Tanaka portrait: ©Victory
