The art accommodation "Hotel Horizontal" has been previewed at the Dogo Onsenato 2014 art festival, which will be held in Dogo, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, in April. Rooms designed by Nobuyoshi Araki, Yayoi Kusama, Fujio Ishimoto, Akira Minagawa, and Shuntaro Tanikawa have appeared in five inns and hotels.

Dogo Onsenato 2014 is an art festival held to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the renovation of Japan's oldest hot spring, the Dogo Onsen Main Building. From the grand opening on April 10th to the finale on December 31st, domestic and international artists will participate, offering a variety of art experiences. A pre-opening was held on December 24th last year. The "GINGA" installation, a citizen-participation parade in which approximately 600 local elementary and junior high school students paraded through the streets of Dogo with lit balloons, illuminated the town with beautiful lights, and various art projects were also held. Hotel Horizontal is the centerpiece of the festival, with artists transforming 10 rooms in inns and hotels in the Dogo area into artworks based on the theme of "The Deepest Dream." The five rooms currently open to the public include Kowakuen, where Nobuyoshi Araki's photographic work "Kinbaku" is displayed and a Japanese-style room over 16 tatami mats is dyed in Araki's colors; Takaraso Hotel, decorated with pumpkins and polka dots, including new works by Yayoi Kusama; Chaharu, designed by former Marimekko textile designer Fujio Ishimoto; Hanayuzuki, designed by Akira Minagawa, designer of mina perhonen; and Dogokan, designed based on the concept of the workroom of artist Shuntaro Tanikawa. Special benefits are available for guests staying overnight. Visits are also possible during public opening hours. Additionally, the Polka Dot Cafe has opened in the first floor lobby of Takaraso Hotel, designed by Yayoi Kusama, where tea and sweets are served in cups designed by Yayoi Kusama. The artists for the remaining five rooms at Hotel Horizontal are scheduled to be announced in February.


[Event Information]
Dogo Onsen Art 2014
Venue: Dogo Onsen and surrounding area
Dates: Grand opening / April 10, 2014
Finale / December 31, 2014