Japanese artist Susumu Shingu, an ambassador of the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka who was recently awarded the honour of Cavaliere dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic), has recently taken part in an event on the mystery of Sandalino, the character of a pop-up book.
The event at the Italy Pavilion included a performance by the Sanda Children's Choir, directed by Kohei Konaka.
Shingu also spoke about his deep connection with Italy and his relationship with Renzo Piano, with whom he has collaborated on various projects since 1989, starting with the oeuvre Boundless Sky created for Kansai International Airport.
The artist in 1960 received a scholarship from the Italian government and spent six years in Rome.
Although he is internationally renowned for his kinetic sculptures powered by natural forces like the wind and water, he has also worked on several illustrated books, plays and songs based on which guitarist Takumi Seino has composed five pieces.
