After working at Tokyo University of the Art Inter Media Art Department as part-time teacher, Manabe co-founded Rhizomatiks and Hackerspace “4nchor5 La6”. In 2009, he was a juror at Ars Electronica Prix and Digital Music Category. He received a Second Prize (Distinction Award) with his Installation work “particles” at Ars Electronica Prix. His experimental performance work using his face was viewed on YouTube 1,000,000 times in the first month, was featured on CNN, Discovery Channel, MTV and many other international media channels. After this, he was invited to introduce his works at Ars Electronica, Sonar Festival, FITC, Transmediale, Pompidou and more from over 20 cities in the world. Manabe is also highly engaged with education; he recently gave a workshop at MIT Media Lab, Fabrica and many others.
