December 11–13, 2009
The 13th Kyoto University (KU) International Symposium: "New Horizons of Academic Visual-Media Practices" was held in the Clock Tower Centennial Hall. Since 2000, the KU International Symposium has been held annually in different parts of the world to disseminate KU's unique academic research to the world and to actively promote its efforts as a global university. With the support of the Kyoto University Foundation, the 13th Symposium drew the attendance of many individuals from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including researchers and students from both within Japan and abroad, making the event prove even more fruitful.
The first day of the Symposium began with an opening video address by KU President Hiroshi Matsumoto. This was followed by an explanation of the Symposium's purpose by the 13th KU International Symposium Chief Administrator Koji Tanaka (KU Center for Integrated Area Studies (CIAS) Director), and then an opening show screening by Professor Naoko Tosa of the KU Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies.
This was further followed by Session I: Visual Image Performed by Marine Creatures; Session II: Human Brain Research and Visual Images; and Session III: Outer Space as a Visual Space.
At the reception on the evening of the same day, KU Executive Director/Executive Vice-President Kiyoshi Yoshikawa extended a greeting speech, following which KU Executive Director/Executive Vice-President Shuzo Nishimura proposed a toast. The reception served as a good opportunity for interaction between the Symposium speakers; the Symposium was attended by researchers from so wide a range of fields that they usually had few opportunities to get to know each other.
The second day comprised Session IV: Wildlife Captured in Images; Session V: Visual Media and Ethnography; and Session VI: Visual Media and Activism.
The third day featured Session VII: Visual Images and Society—Toward the Reconstruction of the Intimate and Public Spheres; Session VIII: Visual Images and Narratives; and Session IX: Cultural Computing—Creative Power Integrating Culture, Unconsciousness and Software. In the summary discussion chaired by CIAS Director Tanaka, session organizers and young researchers actively exchanged opinions, further enhancing the significance of the Symposium.
The Symposium was internationally unique in that it was an interdisciplinary academic event focused on academic visual-media practices. It is expected that this event will pave the way for the establishment of a new discipline through visual images.
 President Matsumoto extending a video address |  Session VI |
 Presentation with performance |  The summary discussion |
 (From left): CIAS Director Tanaka, Director General Junichi Mori of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations, and Executive Director/Executive Vice-President Yoshikawa | |