Dogo Onsen, Japan's oldest hot spring, has been incorporating art into its local resource to promote its new appeal not only to Japan but to the world. The third annual art festival, "Dogo Art 2016," runs until August 31, 2017. This year's art festival features painter Akira Yamaguchi as its main artist, depicting Dogo from an outsider's perspective. Traveling through time and space between the past, present, and future, the works evoke a sense of nostalgia, almost as if one is lost in a strange world. The art festival features not only paintings, but also free-spirited works incorporating three-dimensional and architectural techniques, as well as installations, in which familiar cityscapes blend with individual memories to emerge as mysterious figures. The exhibit, which began on April 29th, is currently open to the public in three parts. The first part includes "Hundred Wonderful Airplanes," "Telephone Pole Series Hanging Scroll Triptych," and "Pleasure Staircases" and "Flower Art" that can be enjoyed by visitors to the Dogo Onsen Main Building. The second part is centered around the arcade and includes "Suzu-rimon Gate," "Key Telephone Pole," and "Lookout Hut." The third part includes "HOTEL HORIZONTAL 'Modern Ingredients for Fukiyose'" at Hotel Tsubakikan (until January 14th, 2018) and "Restaurant Gallery 'Renko Wind Cave'" at Saruri Saryo Hanakoji, the restaurant on the second floor of Dogo Onsen (until January 14th, 2018). More works are planned to be exhibited throughout the exhibition.
[Event Information]
"Town Walking Tour: Dogo Onsen" by Akira Yamaguchi, Dogo Art 2016
Venue: Dogo Onsen (6-8 Dogo Yunomachi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture) and surrounding area
Exhibition period: April 29, 2016 - August 31, 2017