Art That Calls for the Restoration of the Sea

Celebrating local identity and forging communities at Setouchi Triennale

The Setouchi Triennale is back with its 2022 edition, the fifth iteration of the contemporary art festival since its inception in 2010. The festival is held across 14 locations and islands across the Seto Inland Sea, making it one of the largest art festivals in Japan.

Jaume Plensa, "Ogijima's Soul" 
© Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee

As with previous renditions, the Setouchi Triennale is held over three sessions: the Spring schedule takes place from April 14 to May 18, the Summer edition from August 5 to September 4, and the Autumn edition from September 29 to November 6, 2022. 

What to see at Setouchi Triennale

Yodogawa-Technique, "Chinu-the Black Sea Bream of Uno" 
© Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee

Aside from the mainstays of art on the islands of Naoshima, Teshima and Inujima, the Triennale extends its exhibition locations to other islands in the region, going as far as Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture. Among the lineup of artists this year include internationally renowned Japanese artists such as Hiroshi Sugimoto, and even world-wide prominent creators like Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson and Korean artist Lee Ufan.

Naoshima Pavilion Owner: Naoshima Town
Architect: Sou Fujimoto Architects
Photo: Jin Fukuda

The Setouchi Triennale app

For the first time since its establishment in 2010, the festival has put together a mobile app this year that not only provides information on every artwork and their respective locations, but also detailed route information to a particular location. Updates on weather and traffic situation through push notifications are available for ease of navigation through the Triennale.

Keisuke Yamaguchi, ‘’Walking Ark”
© Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee

The Setouchi region is already recognised in the contemporary art world with the introduction of various projects by the Benesse Corporation, such as the Chichu Art Museum in Naoshima and Teshima Art Museum in Teshima. 

© Setouchi Triennale Executive Committee

With the installation of Setouchi Triennale and its recurring theme of 'Restoration of the Sea', the festival aims to extend efforts of the revitalization of island communities in the region, once an important transportation route, and bring cultural and international exchange through art within the visually spectacular setting of the Seto Inland Sea.