In 2010, the City of Mitoyo and the Prefecture of Kagawa teamed up to turn the old Awashima Junior High School into an artist residence.
The former school was renamed Awashima Artist Village (or more precisely Awashima Artist’s Village – Japan wouldn’t be the same without silly English mistakes that would have been easily avoided if only they had asked a native speaker) or rather 粟島芸術家村 (Awashima Geijutsu-ka Mura) in Japanese.
It has been part of the Setouchi Triennale since 2013. However, it’s run independently in-between festivals..
You can see the art from the Triennale in 2016 at the end of the post from this link. And here are a few random pictures from years past.
Of the two main projects pictured here, one was based of dyeing contemporary fabric objects using traditional techniques. The other project (probably in its beginning) was at that point a collection of various dead things from the island. To do what? No idea.
As it’s a residency for artists, the people there and the projects regularly change, so it’ll definitely be something completely different when you go.
You can reach Awashima by ferry from Mitoyo, especially from the port of Suda. Awashima Artist Village is more or less in the center of the island’s main village. There are signs, and in doubt, just ask a local, they’ll gladly help you.
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