MELL platz, was launched in 2007 with the aim of creating a "platz (plaza)" for people with an interest in media expression, learning and literacy. In many respects, it was founded in the spirit of the successful 'MELL Project', a practical research network that developed "projects" for the research and practice of media expression, learning and literacy between 2001 to 2006.

A highlight of the project is "MELL EXPO" is an annual festival for people who are involved in activities and research related to media expression, literacy, play and arts. The overarching goal of the event is to connect people, share ideas, and provide a  forum for discussion.

This academic year, "MELL EXPO 2012" will be held at the Ichijo Hall of the Yayoi Campus, the University of Tokyo, March 10 (Sat) and 11 (Sun), 2012. According to its commencement plan five years ago, MELL platz will conclude all of its activities after these final two days. Yes, this is the last MELL EXPO!
 
Two main sessions will be held during the two days. The first session will overview  MELL plaza's five years of achievement, and discuss possibilities for future collaborations. The second session will re-think recent global trends and develop a new perspective on Digital Storytelling, by examining the interactive DST project: "Media Conte" in Japan.
 
Over these five years, more than 300 individuals, groups and organizations concerned with school education, mass media, journalism, museum, media art, information design, citizen media, alternative media, and library sectors have communicated each other and developed their networks actively in this "platz". For this final event, MELL platz will invite approximately 25 of the most active participating groups to do presentations in "Kamishibai (picture-story show) style" to create a type of "Media Bazaar".
This year's platz will also introduce an interactive visualization system for participants' messages powered by "Media Exprimo".
 
For registration, please click here. <http://ow.ly/97Brb>
 
□Date: March 10 (Sat.) and 11 (Sun.), 2012
□Venue: Yayoi Auditorium Ichijo Hall, The University of Tokyo
　　　  <http://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/yayoi/>
　　　　http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/campusmap/map01_02_e.html
　　　　http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/campusmap/cam01_00_15_e.html
　　　　Access to the campus via Marunouchi, Oedo, Namboku and Chiyoda subways.
□Language: Japanese
 
□Entrance fee: 2,000 yen (for 2 days/under 18 year old, free)
□Party fee: 3,000yen (2,000yen for students)
□Registration: Please click here <http://ow.ly/97Brb>
□Host: MELL platz <http://mellplatz.net>
□Co-host:
The Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the University of Tokyo
<http://www.iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp>
Media Exprimo (CREST research, Japan Science and Technology Agency)
<http://www.mediabiotope.com/projects/mediaexprimo/>
 
◇Please direct enquiries to <2011@mellplatz.net>

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　　　MELL EXPO 2012　Program （2012.2.10.）
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All presentations will be in Japanese.
 
General Moderator: Chiyoko YAMAUCHI (MELL platz =MP, RAB Aomori Hoso) & Hiroyoshi SUNAKAWA (MP, Rikkyo Univ.)
 
◎March 10 (Sat)
□11:00 - 12:40
Preparation (Only for Exhibitors of Media Bazaar)
 
□13:00 - 13:30
Opening Speech and Overview of the MELL platz
 
Mariko MURATA (Kansai Univ.) and MP members
 
(Break: 15 min.)
 
□13:45 - 16:00
Session 1: Five years reflection and the future of "platz (plaza)"
 
Speakers
Midori SUZUKI (Sainokuni Visual Plaza in SKIP City)
Shuji NAKAYAMA (Kanagawa Media Literacy Institute)
Shuji MATSUMOTO (Kagoshima Television System)
Yoshitaka MOURI (Tokyo Univ. of Art and Design)
Osamu SAKURA (Univ. of Tokyo)
Moderator
Hisamitsu MIZUSHIMA (MP, Tokai Univ.)
 
(Break: 15 min.)
 
□16:15 - 17:45
Media Bazaar & Hangout Part 1
 
 (Break: 15 min.)
 
□18:00 - 19:30
　Party! Party! at Yayoi Auditorium
 
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◎March 11 (Sun)
□9:00 - 10:00
Media Bazaar & Hangout Part 2
 
□10:00 - 12:00
Session 2: Discovering Marginal Voices: The Possibilities and Challenges of Digital Storytelling "Media Conte"
 
Speakers
Naoki HONMMA (Osaka Univ.)
Yuji UJIHASHI (MP, NHK)
Yuko TSUCHIYA (MP, Hiroshima Univ. of Economics)
Akiko OGAWA (MP, Aichishukutoku Univ.)
Shinya MIZOJIRI (Aichishukutoku Univ.)
Makiyo TANAKA (Aichishukutoku Univ.)
Yuuki MORI (Aichishukutoku Univ.)
 
Moderator
Masaaki ITO (MP, Aichishukutoku Univ.)
 
(Break 10 min.)
 
□12:10 - 12:40
Sketchbook of Post-MELL platz
 
Shin MIZUKOSHI (MP, Univ. of Tokyo)
 
(Break 5 min.)
 
□12:45 - 13:00　
Closing and Final Message from the MELL platz
 
All the MELL platz Members