4th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial takes place for the fourth time from 26 July - 13 September 2009. Set in the rustic satoyama landscape (the area between the foot of mountain and arable flat land), the artworks are created in rice paddies, abandoned houses, and closed schools, and made in collaboration between the participating artists and local residents, as well as urban supporters.

Today, not only artists, but also international institutions and universities are involved in Echigo-Tsumari, and see it as a place of hope, where people gather to enjoy and create performances, music and visual art works. The Triennial revitalizes the region by combining human endeavor and local natural resources.

In the fourth edition, aprox. 200 participants, including those selected through two open competitions (from 620 applications), create site-specific works in collaboration with the communities. Many artists who have continued to be committed with communities in the region are also participating.

Concept: Human beings as part of nature

Echigo-Tsumari's life and work, nestled in rich natural surroundings, is at a turning point in its cultural history. The Triennial's organizers see it as an opportunity to review our stance toward the global environment and revise modern paradigms, which have led to environmental disruption. These thoughts gave birth to the basic theme of the 4th edition: "Human beings are a part of nature." Regional development is going forward in Echigo-Tsumari, with the aim to become a model community that can demonstrate various possibilities for relations between people and nature.

For more information, please see:

>> Concept

>> Projects, events

>> List of artists

>> Press release
Basic information, concept, message from the director, projects & events, access map, images, etc. (pdf file)

>> Official website

Organizer:
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial Executive Committee

Co-organized by:
NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization

Chairman:
Yoshifumi Sekiguchi (Mayor of Tokamachi)

Honorary chairman:
Hirohiko Izumida (Governor of Niigata)

Vice chairman:
Mikio Kobayashi (Mayor of Tsunan Town)

General producer:
Soichiro Fukutake

General director:
Fram Kitagawa

Art advisors:
Tony Bond, Tom Finkelpearl, Ulrich Schneider, Yuka Irisawa, Yusuke Nakahara

Contact:

Art Front Gallery
Hillside Terrace A,
29-18 Sarugaku-cho,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
150-0033 Japan

Tel.: +81 (0)3 3476 4360
Fax: +81 (0)3 3476 4874

Email: tsumaripr@artfront.co.jp
Website: www.echigo-tsumari.jp/2009en

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Note:
The facts have been compiled from information of the organizers. We do not assume responsibility regarding the correctness of this information. See the Disclaimer.
Gerhard Haupt and Pat Binder, Universes in Universe

See also:

2nd Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial
20 July - 7 September 2003. Information and photo tour, including works by more than 50 artists and groups.

1st Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial
20 July - 10 September 2000. Dates & facts, list of artists, some photos, etc.

Japan - artist's index
The artists from Japan in Universes in Universe.

Japan - Curators
Curators with exhibitions and projects included in Universes in Universe.