January 2024 Exhibition: Art Festival, "The Setouchi Triennale"-
Japan's most exciting contemporary art productions of a global landmark
Talk Show with Guest Speakers
Fram Kitagawa
the Director of the Setouchi Triennale
Tomoko Konoike
an artist ("Ringwanderung", link to the artwork)

Monday, January 22, 2024
5 pm-7 pm

The Setouchi Art Story

The January exhibition takes a close look at one of Japan’s most exciting contemporary art productions of a global landmark- the Setouchi Triennale. The story of its success represents the founder's enduring passion for change, a fitting beginning for 2024 when the world is searching for solutions against ever- increasing issues that threaten our planet's survival.

The Setouchi Triennale was started in 2010 by Kagawa prefecture to expand the activities of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, which was launched in 1988 by Soichiro Fukutake, (the Honorary Advisor of Benesse Holdings,Inc / the Honorary Chairman of Fukutake Foundation) to transform the forgotten islands located on Japan's Seto Inland Sea. Approximately 1 million visitors from Japan and abroad visit the islands to experience the wonders.  The concept is based on coexistence with nature aimed at "moving hearts and stimulating the senses" to make visitors think about the concept of "Well-Being".  

The Triennale's projects revolve around the theme of the "Restoration of the Sea," featuring site-specific works and workshops. These initiatives involve not only Japanese artists but also artists from overseas.

The FCCJ exhibition will delve deeper into this vision at a talk show scheduled for January 22nd. The speakers are Fram Kitagawa, the Director of this Triennale who has been designated since the first time and Tomoko Konoike, an artist who installed her works on Japanese victims of Hansen (leprosy) Disease on Oshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea where is one of the important venues of this Triennale.
 
They will explain their vision and field questions from the audience. The discussion will be followed by a short reception for a more casual chat with the visionaries.  

Don't miss this important event. Free admission.
Please reserve in advance at the Front Desk or by phone at 03-3211-3161, or online at https://www.fccj.or.jp.  

Peter Lyon, Exhibition Committee