We’ve already wrote about the
Naoshima Art House Project, but did you know that a neighbouring island, that is also part of the
Setouchi Triennale,
Inujima, had its own Art House Project? Like its neighbours, the island also experienced a sad fate before becoming what it is today.
F-Art House by artist Kohei Nawa
In feudal times, it seems that stones were being cut in Inujima to build the castles of the region, then in the early 20th century, precisely 1909, in the midst of the explosion of the industrial age, a copper refinery was opened on the island, which multiplied the population and attracted many workers. Unfortunately, this age was not to last and only 10 years after its opening in 1919, the factory closed its doors leaving a large part of the island’s population without work.
But in April 2008, at the initiative of the Benesse Foundation, the Seirensho Art Museum opened on the island. The latter, built by architect Hiroshi Sambuichi from the ruins of the refinery, offers a new look at the modernization of Japan at the time by comparing the work of the famous writer Yukio Mishima (Confessions of a mask, The Golden Pavilion, etc.) extremely critical of the westernization of the country, and the current era, especially in the very structure of the building, which proves that it is possible to renew buildings of the past to bring them into contemporaneity. The museum uses many recycled materials, including the bricks of the former factory, while preserving the environment, being mostly powered by solar and geothermal energy. Even the ventilation and heating systems are designed to be almost energy-free.
The ruins of the refinery, integrated into the museum
The exhibited artworks, mostly installations, are the results of the collaboration between artist Yukinori Yanagi and the museum's architect. Although they are few in number, they are still impressive because of their ingenuity, their beauty and their discourse on present-day Japanese society. One of the rooms is even composed of furniture and objects that belonged to Yukio Mishima in his Shibuya apartment in Tokyo. Beyond the works and architecture, the museum also offers a breath-taking sea view.
Seaview outside of the museum
In addition to the Seirensho Art Museum, there are five Art Houses on the island and their visit is included with the ticket that you will buy upon arrival at the port. These are the result of the collaboration between the artistic director Yuko Hasegawa and the architect Kazuyo Sejima. Featured artists include designer and star artist Olafur Eliasson, artists Yusuke Asai, Masanori Handa, Beatriz Milhazes, Haruka Kojin and Kohei Nawa.
S-Art House by Haruka Kojin
The creation of these artistic projects has revitalized the island through tourism and has allowed several coffee shops and restaurants to open, so don’t worry, you can easily find a good spot to eat something. In addition, many of the employees of the museum or restaurants are locals who for the most part are happy to share their history and experiences of the island before the arrival of the museum. There is also a greenhouse, long abandoned, around which a vegetable garden has been built, where local products and even the eggs of the hens that live there can be bought. During your trip on the
Seto Inland Sea, remember to stop at Inujima, the island is worth a visit!
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