Setouchi Triennale 2013 Summer Session (Part 1)
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September 18, 2013 - Setouchi Triennale 2013 Summer Session (Part 1)
I had previously visited Naoshima and Inujima Islands on the off-season, and my original intent was only to visit Teshima Island during the summer session, but once I got ahold of the Triennale Passport (and after enjoying Teshima so much), I was unable to stop!
By the time the summer session ended on September 1, the only venue I did not visit was Naoshima. I went to all the other islands of the summer session, including Ibukijima, one of the new islands of the 2013 session, Inujima for the second time, and both port venues (Takamatsu and Uno).
I'll try my best to showcase some of my personal highlights and to encourage anyone considering going to the fall session to go! It's well worth it!
TESHIMA
This was my first taste of the Triennale, and one of my favorite islands. I had read about the Teshima Art Museum (#25) from the last session and researched the festival art, which is what made me decide to come in the first place. The museum did not disappoint! It's such a simple design and concept (watching water droplets inside a semi-open white space) yet still original and intriguing. The island had many other great works, too. Perhaps the best was #30 Big Bambu. The artist built a large ship made of bamboo in the top of a forest canopy. The path from the ground up to the ship is also made of bamboo. Just looking at it, it didn't look very safe to ascend, but it was surprisingly sturdy. This sort of interactive art is a fun characteristic of many works in the Triennale.
IBUKIJIMA
I had been told that the true spirit of the festival was to be found in the small islands, so I decided I had to visit Ibukijima which was not only new to the festival but also only participated in the summer session.
Although I think the spirit of the festival can be found on every island each with its own atmosphere and intrigue, I definitely understood what they meant. As I visited the art sites, I also felt and witnessed the great sense of happiness and pride among the residents of Ibukijima to have people not simply visiting their island but truly enjoying it and exploring. The children were especially excited to see so many new faces (and foreigners).
I would highly suggest anyone planning a visit during the fall session to visit at least one of the new venues (Takamijima, Awashima, or Honjima). I'm sure you will get a similar welcome there!
OGIJIMA
Ogijima's art is placed conveniently so that it makes for a great art walk on the port side of the island. One standout work here was #51 Memory Bottles. It featured many bottles strung down from the ceiling, each with an object representing a memory of one of the island's residents. Some were pictures, but there were also objects that made you wonder what memories were associated with them, happy or sad, etc.
I also liked #54 Walking Ark which was from the 2010 festival. The piece looks like mountains with feet which are placed perfectly so that they blend in with the real mountains on the surrounding islands. A work that is both playful and imaginative.
TAKAMATSU PORT
While the islands are the main focus of the festival, the ports have art of their own. The Summer Session at Takamatsu Port focused predominantly on "Bengal Island" which brought artisans from Bangladesh to work on their crafts. Visitors could watch them work, talk, and in some cases pay for instruction on making their own souvenirs. You could also ride around in a rickshaw and eat South Asian food. Work #151 Essence of Bangladesh featured paintings by artists from Bangladesh. It was an interesting cultural exchange through art.
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List of Posts:
2017/08/17 - Obon Festivals and Events 2016/10/13 - Biwako Biennale 2013/10/20 - Setouchi Triennale 2013 Autumn Session 2013/09/18 - Setouchi Triennale 2013 Summer Session (Part 2) 2013/09/18 - Setouchi Triennale 2013 Summer Session (Part 1) 2013/01/03 - New Years in Okayama |
