Don’t Miss the Setouchi International Art Festival, Opportunity Once in Three Years

Approximately 1 to 2 hours (by train) away from Osaka around the Seto Inland Sea, the “Setouchi” region will again attract global attention from art lovers next year. In celebration of marine nature and creativity, this location is known for its various installations and museums that harmonize with local life. And long-awaited, the Setouchi Triennale will return next spring, summer, and autumn with artworks of well-known artists, such as Tadao Ando and Chiharu Shiota.

In this exhibition, you can enjoy the imagination of artists worldwide across 17 sites scattered around the islands and ports. This art project started around 30 years ago in Naoshima, the biggest tourist attraction of these art gems. This site opened the Benesse House Museum in 1992, followed by Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkin, representing the entire site today. The project spread to Inujima (2008) and Teshima (2010), which gave birth to the first international art festival in 2010. Now, with steadily increasing islands in cooperation every three years, 17 sites across Kagawa and Okayama prefecture will show you its natural beauty and human creativity.

Immerse Yourself in Nature and Culture – Attraction of Seto Inland Sea Islands

Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujuma are famous for their art projects that use materials already in the community, such as abandoned housing. Despite the vibrant trading history, this area has suffered from a shrinking population and illegal dumping. Now, raising “Restoration of the Sea” as a mission, the local community and global artists unite to demonstrate what coexistence with nature can look like and make you contemplate modern living. You can also visit the “Art House Project,” where artists revive abandoned housings, shrines, and temples.

We will take you on a private chartered cruise around these islands with a tailor made itinerary based on your interests. This way, there is no need to worry about the timetable of public ferries, and also, the captain will sail along routes that are not open to public ferries which means you can get to see artworks from the sea, a special view just for you.

Naoshima

It is one of the most unique destinations for art lovers and travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences. It is home to modern museums, installations, and galleries featuring impressive architecture and artwork. Beauty integrated into living. You can stay at Benesse House, designed by Tadao Ando and surrounded by installations matched with its environment. Also, in the Naoshima Bath “I♥湯,” you can soak yourself in warm water and the amazing decoration of mosaics.

A must go museum, the most iconic one, is the Chichu Art Museum which was desiged by the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Chichu meaning “underground” in Japanese, this museum is built underneath the hills of this island, so that the view of this beautiful island will not be disturbed. Another amazing fact is that Tadao Ando designed this museum by calculating the sunlight coming into the building as a natural lighting for the artworks displayed, therefore no artificial light can be found inside this museum.

Teshima

Teshima has always provided residents access to abundant water resources, leading to its robust farming heritage today. Art and museums are scattered throughout the area, including the Teshima Art Museum, located in a corner of rice terraces overlooking the ocean.

This museum is perfectly in harmony with the surrounding nature― the white building having a smooth shape of a water droplet represents the spring water and the richness of life of this island itself. Every visitor will be surprised by the elegant, sophisticated and calming space that is displayed inside the museum. This water droplet shaped architecture has no pillars, and has two wide openings on each side which lets the sound of birds, wind, rain and sunlight inside this space that leads to an incredible harmony with the art displayed inside.

You can spend your time as you like, walk around, sit and relax, meditate or even take a nap.  

 It is a space where you can feel nature through 5 senses, meditate, nap, and relax.

Inujima

This island is known for the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, a former copper refinery that was renovated into a museum. It utilizes existing chimneys, bricks, sunlight, and earth heat to reduce environmental influences and introduces an advanced water purification system powered by plants. Yukinori Yanagi installed his work inspired by Yukio Mishima, a novelist who warned of Japan’s modernization. We can see a concept of a circulation society based on heritage site architecture, art, and nature. 

Since this small island with a population of only about 50 people, is located in a relatively remote area the best way is to visit by a chartered vessel. In addition, you will see the beautiful and nostalgic remains of the former copper refinery along the coast while approaching the island from the water.

The Setouchi Triennale gives us the opportunity to discover the beauty of the islands, people and nature of the Setouchi area through the artworks that are displayed in harmony with these places. One of the attractive facts about these artworks is that anyone can enjoy them without being a huge art fan or with a lot of knowledge and find their own meaning or beauty in it. All the installations, artworks and architecture are site specific, which means, the way they exhibit the artwork is combined with its surrounding, art and space is considered as one, therefore it attracts people from all around the world to visit this place and encounter them in person.

By Ayako