Born in Bochum, Germany, in 1968, Thomas Schlottmann is drawn to the empty houses he meets while wandering through Japan. In his ongoing art project "Akiya-san," he talks to them as if they were people and draws out their histories and stories.
Thomas Schlottmann
Germany
⬤ Works in 2026
Akiyasan vol. 3 (video)
⬤ Message
I have been wandering through Japan for many years, and I have always noticed the many akiya (empty houses) that I encounter along the way. For some reason I feel drawn to them, and the more attention I pay to them, the more I feel that the akiya notice me too.
In my art project "Akiya-san" I engage with the akiya. I talk to the houses as if they were humans. I research their history and let the akiya tell me stories out of their lives. For me, the akiya are like strangers that I'm attracted to and would like to get to know better.
In the "Akiya-san" project, I invite the communities to participate and perhaps develop a new view on the akiya.
⬤ Biography
1968 Born in Bochum, Germany
1998 Diploma, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (directing, documentary film)
2020 "PopEcho", solo exhibition, Kishiwada Jisen-Kaikan Hall
2020 "WAVES", group exhibition, C.A.S, Osaka
2021 "ART OFF Hamburg-Kultursommer" (participating artist and managing director)
2022 Art Residency, Nafasi Art Space, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2023 "RECONNECT", exhibition at Osaka City Hall
2025–2026 Jogonin International Art Festival
Film festivals (selection): Berlinale, Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, Germany / Filmfest Hamburg, Germany / International Festival of Fine Arts Szolnok, Hungary / Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival, Washington, USA / FIFDH, Festival du Film et Forum International sur les Droits Humains / FIPADOC Biarritz, France