Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (Tōkamachi Area)

So I made it out to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale today, and if you ever needed an excuse to come out to Niigata, make it this. 

This event occurs every three years, and cumulatively, there are now 400 works spread across the city of Tōkamachi—you just need to grab a map & passport (3600 yen) and your art adventure begins.

We still have about 300 works to go see, but here some of the highlights from our day yesterday (in order as they appear in the gallery):

Title: Kamaboko Face

Artist: Yoshiaki Kaihatsu

This quirky artist (he also dresses as a mole & broadcasts from an underground booth) gave expression to the “hog-backed” storage sheds that are popular here in Yukiguni. 

We saw these spread out on our drive into Tōkamachi.

Title: Karamushi’s Room Project 2018

Artists: Doobu

The artists converted a centuries-old abandoned rice storehouse into a work of art, installing a reflecting pool, windows (for air flow and light), and hanging salvaged Tōkamachi tapestry.

Title: Kiss & Goodbye/Mailbox of Memory

Artist: Jimmy Liao

Built next to the smallest train station I’ve seen (three chair platform), this shelter uses art to tell the story of a orphaned boy who finds courage as he travels with his dog by train to visit his grandfather.

Title: Transfiguration House

Artist: Xiang Yang

Imagine if you took all your antique tansu (chest of drawers) & wardrobes and repurposed them into a tiny hut—you might end up with this. Wonderful use of space and contrasting colors.

Title: Guardian Bird’s Society

Artist: Masayoshi Koyama

Using the form of a hawk (the region’s symbolic bird of prey), the artist created a traditional irori (fire pit) room, but the jizaikagi (pothook) connected to a pulley system that could make the roof “flap” like wings.

Title: Greenroom Project 2018

Artist: Koichi Sakao

Built on an abandoned ski resort, this work transformed an old lodge into a 3-story artistic rendering of the contrast between summer and winter here in Yukiguni. Each leaf was drawn by a citizen of Tōkamachi.

Title: Ghost Satellites

Artists: Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger

These “Satellites” were crafted using items found in abandoned homes in Tōkamachi. 

I loved the use of the old school pachinko machine. Gave me that 懐かしい feeling.

Title: Palimpsest, Pond of Sky

Artist: Leandro Erlich 

This was the highlight. Erlich has several famous works throughout Japan (one other in Tōkamachi) that seek to change your perception of the world around you. The image in the pool isn’t a reflection, but a massive mural.

Like I said, there are literally hundreds more works to see.  If you get a chance to get out to Niigata to see this, it’s an incredible experience.