French artist Sophie Calle and Portuguese singer Maria João Pires have been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale awards in Japan, the country’s highest international art honors. The awards, which were presented by Prince Hitachi on behalf of the Japan Art Association, also recognized Colombian visual artist Doris Salcedo, Taiwanese director Ang Lee, and Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in various artistic categories.
Each of the winners will receive a gold medal and a cash prize of 15 million Japanese Yen, along with an additional 5 million Yen awarded as part of a Grant for Young Artists to the Komunitas Salihara Arts Center in Jakarta. Sophie Calle, known for her conceptual art, has been honored for her innovative ways of sharing her life with audiences, while Maria João Pires was recognized for her dedication to engaging community and education through music.
Meanwhile, Doris Salcedo has been acknowledged for her poignant work that addresses themes of violence, memory, and pain, often inspired by the Colombian civil war. Shigeru Ban, a renowned architect, was praised for his innovative public buildings and commitment to charitable work, while Ang Lee, a Taiwanese director known for his diverse filmography, was celebrated for his contributions to Asian and Hollywood cinema.
The Praemium Imperiale awards highlight the exceptional talent and contributions of artists from around the world, with previous winners including Yayoi Kusama, Anish Kapoor, Norman Foster, and Jean-Luc Godard. The annual ceremony, held at the Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo, honors artists who have made significant impacts in their respective fields, showcasing the power of art to inspire and unite communities globally.
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