photos by Osamu Nakamura
In Niigata prefecture’s Murono Village, a surreal scene has unfolded…or should I say, inflated? From the rear of an abandoned townhouse a colossal, semi-transparent bubble has emerged, immediately transforming the quiet village into what could easily be mistaken for one of Willy Wonka’s inventions gone awry. This is, in fact, the latest creation by Ma Yansong, the visionary behind the architectural firm MAD Architects and a new addition to the local Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival.
As we highlighted in our top 3 art festivals to visit later this year in Japan, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 kicked off on July 13. And personally, one of our most-anticipated new works to join this open-air art festival is “Ethereal Bubble” by Ma Yansong, whose 2018 contribution “The Tunnel of Light,” which is about a 30 min drive from here, has become one of our favorite local experiences.
Amidst a picturesque backdrop of traditional houses nestled in nature, an unexpected sight unfolds. “Ethereal Bubble” is covered in semi-transparent film and visitors are invited to step into the interior of the bubble, where they encounter a fleeting scenery of ambiguity and softness that stands in stark contrast with the 100-year old townhouse it calls its home.
From both inside and outside, and from dawn till dusk, visitors can experience this transformative bubble.
The artwork is located inside a structure known as China House, a 100-year old abandoned townhouse that was renovated and repurposed in 2016 to serve as a permanent home for Chinese artists to visit, stay, create and display their artwork.
July 22, 2024 at 5:47 am
This is a wonderful & fantastic project.
We hope to experience this artwork next time visiting Japan combined with other Art scenes.
Oh yes, it’s a dream of an artist, living in my house, to live and start an art project in one of the many beautiful abandoned houses in the countryside.