ART | The Art Project 'AT ART UWAJIMA 2013' Set in Uwajima
ART | A Site-Specific Collaboration by Tabaimo, Horiyori, and Yuko Nagayama
The Art Project 'AT ART UWAJIMA 2013' Set in Uwajima, Ehime
Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, faces the Seto Inland Sea, boasting a beautiful ria coastline. To revitalize this area, architectYuko NagayamaandReverse Projectartist Akira Fujimoto, known for his work on the Reverse Project, initiated the NPO SO-EN. This organization presents the art project 'AT ART UWAJIMA 2013,' which will be held from Wednesday, July 24th to Thursday, August 22nd, at Kiya Ryokan, a long-established inn, and 'Uwajima Kisaiya Road,' an arcade shopping street.
Text by TOMOMI YANAKA
Four Artists from 'Side-Core' Exhibit Works in the Arcade
'AT ART UWAJIMA 2013' was conceived to build new cultural value in Uwajima, a castle town that has preserved diverse culture and rich nature, including the Ushioni Festival, bullfighting, and its appealing cuisine.
The art project unfolds at Kiya Ryokan, a historic inn founded in 1911 and beloved by many literary figures, and at 'SITUATIONALLY,' located within the arcade and a completely renovated former stationery store. In 2012, Kiya Ryokan was transformed by architect Yuko Nagayama into an exclusive accommodation for one group per day, based on the concept of 'subtraction' to discover new values. This encounter sparked the project's inception.
Within the ryokan, contemporary artist Tabaimo presents an inner world woven from everyday scenes and traces of memory, inspired by a novel set at Kiya Ryokan written by Horiyori, known for her manga 'Koneko no Machi.' Visitors can experience a personal journey through narrative and visuals within the intimate, enclosed space that has preserved a century of time. The ryokan will continue to welcome one group of guests per day as usual during the project's run.
Meanwhile, at 'SITUATIONALLY,' 'Side-Core,' an art collective focusing on post-street culture expressions, exhibits works by Ryotaro Abe, Ryota Kikuchi, Taihei Kimura, and Takahiro Komuro. They present ambitious works that include the renovation of the space itself, allowing visitors to experience the process of the venue, 'SITUATIONALLY,' becoming part of the artwork through installation.
Both exhibitions, while set in everyday spaces, offer distinct approaches: one in the private realm of the ryokan and the other in the public arcade. However, all the works connect with Uwajima's diverse life, presenting a new perspective on the daily routines we often overlook.
'AT ART UWAJIMA 2013'
Period | Wednesday, July 24 – Thursday, August 22
Hours | Kiya Ryokan 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, SITUATIONALLY 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Venue | Kiya Ryokan
2-8-2 Oite, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture
SITUATIONALLY
1-5-6 Misucho, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture
Admission | Kiya Ryokan viewing ticket ¥500, Kiya Ryokan viewing ticket + Horiyori booklet ¥1000, SITUATIONALLY free
NPO SO-EN
Tel. 080-3163-8643 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
info@uwajima-soen.com