Setouchi Triennale 2025 first pieces of information, a new museum on Naoshima and more...
Finally some news from the Setouchi art islands!
I told you recently that I was not forgetting this section of the newsletter.
So, yes, we have quite a few pieces of news pertaining to the Setouchi Triennale these days.
(note that this content was originally posted on Setouchi Explorer - if you wonder why I always mention this, it’s about warning search engines about duplicate content, basically to tell them that no, I didn’t steal the content, I own both pages - basically, don’t worry about it.😊 )
Let’s get started, with the most urgent information:
Setouchi Triennale 2025 On-site tours
The Setouchi Triennale‘s Executive Committee sometimes organizes on-site tours. They’re not for tourists, but rather for artists interested in applying to the next Triennale.
A few tours will be organized on October 12th, 13th and 14th.
The application period has already started and ends on October 3rd.
I don’t know if any artist interested in the Setouchi Triennale follows this newsletter, but if this is the case, all relevant information about the tours and how to apply for them are on the official website. And if this is the case, also, don’t hesitate to say hi in the comments.
In related news, we have:
Setouchi Triennale 2025 Call for Art Proposals
If you are an artiste or know one who could be interested in being part of the Setouchi Triennale 2025, applications are already open!
This is very early this time around, and I see this as a very good thing. I guess that, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, things got a bit chaotic in 2022. Many things had to be decided, organized, or canceled at the last minute. So, this time, they probably want to have everything planned as early as possible and give the artists as much time as possible to get ready too, with available plans B if necessary.
In any case, if you haven’t been invited to take part in the Triennale and would like to be a part of it nonetheless, now is your chance.
Once again, all the details, important dates, and more are on the official website.
The next pieces of information are for everyone.
A new Museum designed by Tadao Ando will open on Naoshima in 2025!
If you’ve been to Naoshima recently, you may have noticed some huge cranes in the southern part of Honmura.
If you guessed that a new art site is being built, you guessed right!
This building, located on top of a small hill, will be Naoshima’s latest museum when it opens in 2025.
It was designed by Tadao Ando, and it is rumored to be the last museum built on Naoshima as they’re running out of space. Hmm… I don’t know if we should believe this rumor. There is still a lot of space. ;-)
Also, I’ve heard conflicting things about what it’s going to be about. I’m not going to mention them here, as they’re “secret.”
Benesse likes to be secretive about such things.
First, because it’s part of their “culture.” See the return of the Yellow Pumpkin. It was kept under wrap for the longest time, only to be hinted at just a few days before, and only announced on the same day, but… I had known about it for quite a while and so did most islanders – a few of them being my sources. I just couldn’t tell you in advance. Despite the fact that it was unofficially public knowledge on Naoshima.
They’re also secretive because sometimes plans do change, and it’s totally understandable that they don’t want information that later turns out to be incorrect to be circulating all over the web.
So, with all that being said, all I can tell you is on this press release:
The name of the museum is not completely decided yet. The current name (that I’m pretty sure will change) is “Naoshima New Art Museum.”
It should have three floors, two of them being underground.
It should house art from various Japanese and Asian artists.
Some art may be created especially for this museum.
The museum will not only be a place with exhibits. Various events, workshops, talks, and more will be organized there in order to make it a lively place where visitors take an active role. The goal is to make it a site where visitors – tourists and locals alike – connect with each other and with art.
I guess we’ll see in 2025 what it exactly entails, but if it turns out the way they describe it, I like the idea. Naoshima needs such a place. I rarely see tourists connect with locals there, whereas it’s a more common occurrence on the other islands.
Stay tuned for more. Maybe I’ll try to go near the construction site and try to bring pictures back (of what will most likely look like a construction site) the next time I go to Naoshima.
There is another big building that is being built and that I’m sure will be included in the Setouchi Triennale 2025. It’s in Takamatsu Port, and you won’t be able to miss it when you get there. I’ve been meaning to show you the construction for quite a while, but it’s been so constantly hot this summer that I haven’t been to take pictures yet.
I’ll try as soon as possible, and it’ll get its own blog post, and possibly entry here too. It’s the new basketball stadium/concert venue/conference hall/many more things, and it’s designed by SANAA, who designed a lot of things on Naoshima and Inujima, not to mention the Teshima Art Museum, designed by Ryue Nishizawa, half of SANAA (and that new building should be reminiscent of it).
And last but not least:
The First Pieces of Information about the Setouchi Triennale 2025!
Not much yet, of course, it’s still one and a half years away, but I got this for you.
Official dates
(so you can plan your trip ahead of time if you come from far away).
Spring session: April 18 – May 25
Summer session: August 1 – August 31
Autumn session: October 3 – November 9
Locations
The Setouchi Triennale 2025 will take place on the same islands and ports as the previous editions, but three coastal towns from Kagawa prefecture will also be included.
Don’t tell anyone, but as the Prefectural government is a big part of the festival’s organization (and a certain amount of public money is used for it), I suspect that some municipalities were feeling left out, and wanted a piece of the cake too. I guess it’s understandable.
So here is the list of all locations for the Setouchi Triennale 2025:
All three seasons:
Naoshima
Teshima
Shodoshima
Ogijima
Megijima
Inujima
Oshima
Takamatsu Port
Uno Port
Spring session only:
Shamijima
Summer session only:
Sanuki City (new location)
Higashikagawa City (new location)
Autumn session only:
Honjima
Utazu Town (new location)
Takamijima
Awashima
Ibukijima
Well, I guess that is all for today (that’s already quite a bit).
I’ll leave you now with the Yellow Pumpkin because I know you haven’t seen it in a while here.
That’s all for today. Stay safe and take care.
If you liked this post and aren’t subscribed yet, now is a great time to do it. Just click blow:
If you liked this post to the point you want to support me and the work I do here, there are many ways to do it. First, you could become a paying subscriber - that would motivate me to write more often here and there - but if you can’t afford it, there are other ways to support my work. First, sharing my work wherever and whenever you can is the easiest way to do so:
Following me here and there is also a good way and easy way to support me (click on the logo below):
Thanks for reading. See you soon for more.