Year-round program”Echigo-Tsumari Art Field 2023”
～April 29-November 5 "Echigo-Tsumari Artfield 2023"～
In Echigo-Tsumari, the people who live there cultivate their fields from spring to fall, and in winter they have a unique way of life born from the heavy snowfall.
On that land, ｍany artworks located on. You can enjoy a journey through artworks deeply connected to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field.
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (ETAT) is one of the largest art festivals in the world as well as the pioneer of regional art festivals taking place across Japan. It has provided an alternative way to explore satoyama following artworks as guidling lights which has received a great attention both within and outside Japan as a leading practice of community building by art.
It is presented at the Echigo-Tsumari region in Niigata (called the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field) one of the regions in Japan known for heavy snowfall in winter where ageing and depopulation are rapidly advancing. The region is still filled with “satoyama” life where people engage with land through agriculture and artworks are installed in nature throughout the year.
Main works (stored items)
Kusama Yayoi ”Tsumari in Bloom”
Tsumari is a noble land. It is a land enriched by tolerance that embraces all forms of art. As I watched my huge open-air flower sculpture being installed I felt a deep serenity. Like the flowers, I basked in the air of Echigo-Tsumari and the beatiful sunshine pouring from heavens. I hope that people from all over the world come to see this Triennial and are impressed by finding so much art nestled in its green forests and deep groves. Hurrah for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial! Tsumari in Bloom is my favorite among all of the open-air sculptures that I have created for several places in Japan and other parts of the world.
Utsumi Akiko ‘For Lots of Lost Windows’
The view seen from a window of a room becomes “my view,” a window ”for rediscovering the” scenery of Echigo-Tsumari spreading outside through the view seen from the window. Its waving curtains reflect the breeze. When she visited Echigo-Tsumari, the artist was overwhelmed by its nature. She resolved to create a work like a flower that would blossom modestly, without disturbing nature. Fluttering curtains brought sunlight and the breeze of satoyama wind to visitors’ hearts.
