The enjoyment of the art festival extends beyond viewing the artworks, to meeting and interacting with the local people. Experiencing the charms of the land brought out by artists from Japan and abroad provides an opportunity to reconsider globalization, the limits of urban life, and the future of civilization and humanity.

Northern Alps International Art Festival Guide - Return to Part 2/3 of the Shinano Omachi Summer Art Trip...

●4) The Nishina Three Lakes Area - Lakes Reflecting the Mountains and the Peaceful Lifestyle of the People
The Nishina Three Lakes (from north to south: Lake Aoki, Lake Nakatsuna, and Lake Kizaki) are lakes formed by a crustal fault on the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line. The "Salt Road" runs along the lakeside, and salt that was transported by strong oxen over the mountains from Itoigawa on the Sea of Japan side was transferred here to fast horses and brought to Shinano-Omachi. Inns and guesthouses line the shores of Lake Kizaki, and the water is so clear that you can even swim in the lake. There are four artworks to view here.



Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, a married couple from the Philippines, have floated several boats on the lakes, resembling a group of islands or a parade formation. Looking closely at their work, "Waterfield (Presence and Absence)," you'll see that the boats are loaded with an unexpected assortment of everyday items salvaged from homes. These are unwanted items collected and brought together by local residents. The artists say that through this work, they are a warning against environmental destruction and an allegory of depopulation. The sight of it swaying in the wind and waves is at once comical, sad and endearing.



On the pier on the opposite shore, Igarashi Yasuaki, who has transformed the landscape through collaboration with people, worked with local people to create a braided cord called Kumoyui (Cloud Tie), connecting the lake to the clouds. They gathered 320 strands of thin cotton thread and prepared eight 25-meter thick strands, which they then wove together towards the sky to complete the piece. "In this area, we call mutual aid 'eekko.' This is an area where sericulture is thriving, so when I was winding thread in the workshop, people would say, 'Here's a spool,' and bring it to me. The thread still bears the marks of the hands of those who worked together." Igarashi said he felt a connection between people, between lives, and a communication that goes beyond words. "Since coming to Shinano-Omachi, I've had more opportunities to look up at the sky. At sea, I was conscious of a world that was connected horizontally, but here, I want people to feel a vertical world, connected from the sky."



In a vacant former inn, the YAMANBA Girls, who are working to develop the town using local folk tales and materials, are running a project called "Memories of Midday," in which they share information about the life, culture and lifestyle of Shinano-Omachi, along with food. Local women will serve up early summer local foods such as Tango no Sekku, a festival to pray for the healthy growth of children, and Okohiru (a light meal eaten between farm work), a special event for rice planting on farms, while reciting folk tales related to each dish. The event is held on weekends and holidays during the festival period. Don't forget to make a reservation in advance (1,500 yen, TEL: 090-4461-3863).





●5) Downtown area - a shopping district that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era

The main street that runs through the city is known as the "Salt Road." Houses still line the streets with waterways running beneath their floors, and the sound of running water can be heard here and there. On either side of the main street, Onna-Shimizu springs to the east and Otoko-Shimizu springs to the west; the water systems are different on either side of the street, and the taste is quite different when you try both. A total of nine works can be viewed, set in old shopping districts, vacant houses, and vacant stores.

Omachi Shopping Street retains the charm and flavor of the Showa era. At Ganbariyasan, a shared workshop that stands alongside this shopping street, Taiwanese picture book author Jimmy Liao has created a small, adorable bookstore called "I Met a Book in Omachi." The old books are covered in 60 different (!) book covers illustrated by Jimmy, and you can't see what's inside until you open the cover and start reading. Merchandise such as postcards, notebooks, and book covers are also on sale. In addition, "town libraries" have been set up throughout the town, reminding us of the joy of unexpectedly finding a book.





Across the main street from Omachi Shopping Street, in a vacant storefront, Takashi Kuribayashi, known for his large-scale installations, will be building the First Kurobe Dam. Standing 186 meters tall, it's the largest dam in Japan, spewing out an impressive 10 tons of water per second. This work, which rivals the dam itself, is a 1/40-scale replica of the dam combined with a hot spring. The water in the "dam lake," which has been designed to resemble a hot spring, can be used as a footbath. Soak in this "major project of the century" and soothe your travel fatigue.

●Events at Various Locations and Official Triennale Merchandise Designed by Akira Minagawa
In addition to the aforementioned YAMANBA Girls project, the lineup of events and performances will be packed with events and performances, including a surreal performance by dancer Kim Itoh, a special quartet live performance by jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita, featuring Naruyoshi Kikuchi, and a concert at Nanakura Dam in collaboration with Shizuru Ohtaka and lighting artist/designer Takayuki Fujimoto.

In addition, official triennale merchandise was designed by Akira Minagawa, designer of minä perhonen, with motifs based on the triennale's theme of "water, wood, earth, and sky." T-shirts (in three colors) made at a spinning mill in Shinano-Omachi are sure to sell out. Small items such as tenugui hand towels and postcards are also available, allowing you to take home a memento of your trip. Even after returning to our daily lives, we can still hear the clear, flowing waters of Shinano-Omachi from time to time. This may be the greatest souvenir of our trip.


Northern Alps International Art Festival Guide - Return to Part 1/3 of a Summer Shinano-Omachi Art Trip...