Two new artworks have finally been completed at "KENPOKU ART 2016: Northern Ibaraki Art Festival," which runs until November 20th in six cities and towns in the northern region of Ibaraki Prefecture.
"KENPOKU ART 2016: Northern Ibaraki Art Festival" is an art festival being held for the first time this year in six cities and towns: Hitachi City, Takahagi City, Kitaibaraki City, Hitachiota City, Hitachiomiya City, and Daigo Town. In addition to the artworks that have been exhibited so far, two newly completed artworks include a footbath facility (2336-1 Asakawa, Daigo Town, Kuji District, Ibaraki Prefecture) created by architect Kazuyo Sejima in collaboration with Yoichi Ochiai, who is said to be a modern-day magician, and installed at the former Asakawa Onsen in Daigo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. "Spring," a circular, 10-meter-diameter aluminum footbath, reflects the scenery and sky on both the reflective aluminum surface and the gently rippling water, creating a natural overlap. From the center of the footbath flows "Air Murmuring," a sound art piece featuring the murmuring of the Kuji River by festival-participating artist Yoichi Ochiai. Opening hours are 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the footbath open until 4:00 PM. Admission is 300 yen for adults and 200 yen for students and those 65 and older. Open daily. Meanwhile, leading Korean artist Choi Jeong-hwa has created a new sculpture, "Sankaigyo LOVE" (2133-6 Tenkano-cho, Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture), themed on the "encounter of the sea and the mountains," on the Ryujin Grand Suspension Bridge in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The work is inspired by the story of a sea fish and a mountain fish meeting at Ryujin Bridge, and the fish, which represent love and fertility, remind viewers of encounters and affection with family, lovers, and friends. The surfaces of the two fish are also made from discarded shopping bags, which also conveys thoughts on the environmental issue of recycling waste. Viewing hours are from 8:30 to 17:00, and there is a fee to cross the bridge.
