Setouchi Triennial Debrief
The Arts Festival on the Seto inland sea has come to an end. Although we are sad, we know it will be back in three years, during its 5th edition in 2022.
We were truly pleased to see that, apart from the "regular customers" or art fans who intentionally come to Setouchi festival, many visitors changed their plans or extended their stay in Japan, to be able to come here.
Thanks to all of them and despite the typhoon that passed by during the Autumn session, the number of art enthusiast reached the total of 1 178 484 this year (according to official sources).
On the Top 5 of islands and ports that received the most visitors (on a list of 14 areas/ports, through the three seasonal sessions), without too much surprise, we find as below:
This year's edition was such a success the The New York Times wrote an online article about it: “The 52 Places Traveler On an Art Scavenger Hunt in Japan's Seto Inland Sea” (published on November 12th, 2019).
The on-site journalist has perfectly ceased the very essence of the festival and share his experience:
" [...] the triennial has also injected new creative energy into the fading fishing villages. [...] I had come looking for contemporary art, but left having found a feeling that came from the spaces and moments in between. [...] "
(If you wish to read the article: check here (external link))
As you probably know if you already read our articles on this International Art Festival in Japan, many islands take part to the project, and sometimes only participate once ("one season" out of three). Therefore, we couldn't do a complete travel around Setouchi islands...
Some pieces of arts may change or even be dismantled next time, but it is too early to confirm anything yet.
However, this is just a brief pause! And we will be eagerly waiting for the next edition!
We will keep in our heart pieces such as:
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On Shodoshima island: the tunnel of bamboo leading to a “bamboo bowl” shaped as a sea urchin, Beyond the Border – Wave by the artist Lin Shuen-Long
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On Megijima island: the nostalgia coming from the old photographs locked in glass bottles by ,
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On Naoshima island: the peace felt during a break next to the water contained into the art house project The Naoshima Plan 2019 "The Water" by Hiroshi Sambuichi...
Hush, we won't say more... it is now up to you to discover or rediscover the new or old work at Setouchi Arts Triennial 2022!