Yoro Park (Gifu Prefecture), home to unique spots including the mysterious Yoro Tenmei Hantenchi (Site of Reversible Destiny), will host the Yoro Art Picnic, an event where people can enjoy art in a picnic-like atmosphere, over two days on November 18th and 19th.


The overall director is Masayuki Akamatsu, a media artist whose work focuses on music, video works and, in recent years, bicycles and other forms of transportation, and who is also a professor at Gifu Prefecture's world-renowned Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS). "The setting for this event is a gently sloping grassy field. Numerous tents will be lined up, and lively events will be unfolding. At times, you'll work up a sweat through mindless physical activity, while others will be amazed by delightful surprises. As the autumn breeze blows through the vibrant autumn leaves, you will connect the past and the present, connect life and health, and catch a glimpse of the future," Akamatsu said. Artists from a variety of genres will be showcasing experiential art projects at the venue, including "Eyes in the Sky," a giant eyeball-shaped balloon piece by Masayuki Akamatsu that slowly rises and falls through the air, and "AR Art Picnic," an exhibition using augmented reality (AR) technology that allows paintings and sculptures to move when viewed with a mobile device. With a motif of the "gourd," a symbol of Yoro, the "Gourd Art Project" involves creating large lanterns out of bamboo and washi paper and decorating them with real gourds, and the "Forest Children's Art Plaza" challenges children to create a space where they can freely express themselves using natural objects and a variety of materials. This allows art lovers, families with children, and seniors of all ages to casually experience art in a picnic-like atmosphere.

On the 18th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the venue will be lit up for one night only, and "Yoro Art Night" will be held, where participating artists (Masayuki Akamatsu, Katsuhiko Hibino, Ryota Kuwakubo, Ayaka Yasuda + Cameron Allan Mckean & Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran, Astrid Klein, and others) will interact with each other through performances and talks. Additionally, the "Yoro Falls Gourd Illumination" will be held at the same time from Fudo Bridge to Yoro Falls in Yoro Park on November 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, and 26th from 5pm to 9pm (last entrance 8:30pm).