Echigo-Tsumari Triennial

Fifty days of art and culture in the mountains of Niigata

Richard Deacon, Mountain, 2006 Photos Courtesy of S. Anzai

There are several words that come to mind when contemplating the Echigo-Tsumari Triennial: Amazing. Sugoi. Incredible. Awesome. And with a glance at the novel-like list of planned events, those words tend to stutter out of the mouth in a series of gasps and un-stifleable gleams. The brain races through fantasies about escaping the oppressive Tokyo summer and awakening in a mountain paradise filled with art, dreams and a sense of unimagined possibilities.

Unlike many of the cities around the world currently sponsoring a “nial”-suffixed art event, Niigata has taken a refreshingly long-term approach to the role of art and culture in building a community. Begun in 1997 as part of a plan to revitalize the agriculturally rooted and population-depleted region, the event has maintained a focus on sustainability and has become a permanent home for the arts in the prefecture. As a result, many works from the first two triennials are now permanently installed in the area, including pieces by such well-known international artists as Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell and Ilya and Emilia Kabakov.

Still, a great deal has happened in the last three years. A severe earthquake in 2004, flooding in 2005 and paralyzing snowfall this winter all combined to cloud the triennial’s future. But the organizers of the third edition of this largest-of-all international art events have pushed forward to make the 2006 triennial the biggest and most ambitious to date.

Under the direction of celebrated curator Fram Kitagawa, a group of international curators and coordinators, local officials and of course legions of dedicated volunteers, this year’s edition promises to be stunning in scope. An astonishing 330 artists from 47 countries will participate, among them prominent names like Richard Deacon and Cai Guo-Qiang, as well as local and emerging artists.

James Turrell, House of Light (exterior), 2006

As this year’s event is centered on a theme of “Human beings as a part of nature,” several pieces are installed in Niigata’s riversides, mountains and rice paddies. Following in the footsteps of artist Marina Abramovic at the 2000 event, a group of artists and carpenters will transform 40 abandoned buildings throughout the region into art spaces, including a permanent museum. Additionally, 21 ikebana artisans will join together to create, and routinely refresh, displays spanning several houses.

The festivities commenced on July 22 with opening prayers for earthquake reconstruction efforts and world peace, as well as a noh performance at a newly opened theater. This weekend sees the beginning of an ongoing series of seminars focused on environmental issues, as well as a drum festival featuring musicians from all over the world. Numerous daily workshops, art and music events and several traditional local festivals are also planned throughout the event.

With its plethora of activities, the Echigo-Tsumari Triennial continues to strive to be more than just another arts event. It seeks to transcend the limitations of the professional art world by also creating a forum for environmental and community issues. The organizers, artists, residents and volunteers all conspire to engender a hopefulness that approaches the world—and our future in it—with an earnest thoughtfulness and affirming creativity.

Echigo-Tsumari Triennial, until September 10. See exhibition listings (other areas) for details.

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