 | |
 | |
| Established | July 18, 2004 |
|---|---|
| Location | Naoshima,Kagawa,Japan |
| Director | Soichiro Fukutake |
| Website | benesse-artsite |
TheChichu Art Museum (地中美術館,Chichū Bijutsukan) (literally 'art museum in the earth') is a museum built directly into a southern portion of the island ofNaoshima inKagawa Prefecture,Japan. It was designed by architectTadao Ando and opened to the public on July 18, 2004.
The subterranean museum is under the administration of theFukutake Foundation, a project of theBenesse Corporation whose presidentSoichiro Fukutake also acts asdirector of the facility. It exists as part of an ongoing initiative to "rethink the relationship between nature and people,"[1] and is one of several arts-related sites generating tourist interest in the area.
Despite its position buried underground, the design of the building is such that it facilitates the exclusive use of natural light to illuminate a number of the exhibits, changing their appearance at different viewing times throughout the day and, in essence, encompassing the building itself within the same realm as the art on display.
The site features permanent installations byWalter De Maria andJames Turrell, as well as painted works in theWater Lilies series byClaude Monet.
Located between the ticket center and main museum building, theChichu Garden is an area roughly 400 m2 in size that features approximately 150 types of plants, 40 kinds of trees and almost 200 kinds of flowers[2] that either appeared in Monet's works or were collected by the artist during his lifetime. As Monet was an avid gardener, his own designs as well as inspiration gleaned directly from some of his most famous paintings were used to design the garden and ponds that make up the area, which even feature some of the same water lilies that appear in hisfamous series.
The rationale behindChichu Garden is one where, through physical experience, it is believed one's understanding and appreciation of Claude Monet's work can be deepened.[3]
Naoshima travel guide from Wikivoyage34°26′59.13″N133°59′08.89″E / 34.4497583°N 133.9858028°E /34.4497583; 133.9858028
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People |
|
| Other | |
