Asobi means "to play" in Japanese. So this website is about Akiko Takahashi (Aki) and her slow playful projects.
Akiko Takahashi is an artist, designer and programmer based in Leipzig, Germany, originally from Tokyo, Japan.
She studied computer science and informatics at Kyoto University, Japan and earned Bachelor and Masters degree. For PhD. she completed coursework without degree.
By combining knowledge and experience in the computer science field and interest in craft, food, and plants since her childhood, she creates artworks, design products and projects.
Exhibitions and Related Honors:
Denkstatt Residency (2026)
・ Puppie (wooden chat robot) family
Chemnitz 2025 Mikroprojekt (2026)
・ Zwischen Holz und Kultur – Essstäbchen selbst gemacht
Maker Residency (2025)
・ Sushi meets AI
・ By Makers United and Chemnitz 2025 (One of the European Culture Capital of 2025)
Knitting with Computer (2023)
・ Supported by Culture Moves Europe program
・ The project took place at Interface Cultures, Kunstuniverstät Linz, Austria
Ukrainian Film and Food Evening (2022)
・ Supported by Kulturfonds Sachsen-Ukraine
・ Food and film evening took place at Plagwitzer Markthalle in Leipzig
Bean Necklaces (2019-)
・ The concept was introduced at BIO26 2020 (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Gohan Power - food education & production project (2016-)
・ Participant of entrepreneurship program at Social Impact Lab Leipzig
・ Shiso Syrup got funding from InnoStartBonus program by FutureSAX in 2020
Play with Kanji / Words (2011-2013)
・ Supported by Venture Business Laboratory, Kyoto University
・ 1st prize at Techno AI Idea Contest 2011 (Kyoto, Japan)
・ Play with Words was exhibited at App Art Award inZKM | Center for Art and Media (Karlsruhe, Germany / September 2012-April 2013)
Mobile Garden (2010-2016)
・ Supported by Innovation Voucher provided by State BW, Germany
・ Konica Minolta Eco and Art Award 2011 (Tokyo, Japan)
・ Tokyo Designers Week 2011 (Tokyo, Japan)
・ Introduced in a German TV show Höhle der Löwen
Dancing Information (2009-2011)
・ Supported by Japanese IPA MITOU Program with grant in 2009-2010
・ ARS Electronica Festival 2010 (Linz, Austria)
・ Tokyo Designers Week 2010 (Tokyo, Japan)
・ Immersion Digitales 2011 (Paris, France)
