Bottom Sky is one of these Setouchi Triennale‘s artworks that deserves more recognition. And I’m the first guilty, as it’s been around since 2016 and I think it’s the first time I write about it. The thing is that, like most artworks on the Western islands of Kagawa Prefecture, you really can only see it for one month every three years. It’s not exactly true, as artworks there are also open a few days a year, but not that many.
Created by Alexander Ponomarev on Honjima, Bottom Sky is one of these artworks that create an unique world and atmosphere as soon as you approach them. I’d call it a post-apocalyptic poetic atmosphere. When you approach the beach located a few hundred meters after the village of Kasashima, you see three boats suspended in the air. But are they really boats? Upon closer inspection, their hulls are made of fishing nets and other ropes that give them an almost ghostly appearance, even more so when the wind starts making them sway above you, in an almost menacing way. Beauty and sadness meet in these structures that seem to hold a long and mysterious history.
In other words, if you visit the Triennale in the autumn, don’t miss it.
The following pictures were taken over two different visits, hence the very different weather.
Also, make sure to watch the video below, it gives you a better understanding of what the artwork feels like.
Click on the thumbnails to see the full picture:
The Great Seto Bridge seen from Bottom Sky
(with Ozuchishima – the “onigiri island” – seen from the opposite side)
Bottom Sky has been on Honjima since 2016, and while I can’t confirm at the moment of typing these lines, I assume it’ll still be around in 2025.
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