What: The seventh edition of the world’s largest open-air contemporary art festival that takes place only once every three years in Japan’s mountainous Niigata prefecture over an area of 760 sq km (read: the entire Singapore could fit into that space).
Why: It’s a pioneer of the destination art festival – the more well-known Setouchi Triennale on Naoshima island would only be launched a decade later in 2010. More importantly, though, this year’s focus is primed for the times with the works meant to encourage conversation and exploration of global environmental issues, and the delicate relationship between humans and nature. Expect the debut of more than 150 specially commissioned pieces alongside 200 existing one-of-a-kind exhibits from former editions by art world giants such as Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramovic, James Turrell and Cai Guo-Qiang. Besides the great art and natural scenery, gourmands should like the Salmon Course, a new food-art tour that takes visitors through an eclectic variety of works situated along the Shinano River (aka Japan’s longest), and includes lunch made with locally grown seasonal produce.
When: July 29-Sept 17
Photos Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
