On a tree-dotted hill on Naoshima, an island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Naoshima New Museum of Art is set to open Saturday. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, the concrete structure features a unique design with a pebbly wall along the walkway to its entrance, a black plaster exterior, and exhibition spaces primarily located underground.
This new museum focuses solely on contemporary Asian art and is part of the larger Benesse Art Site Naoshima, which encompasses over three dozen museums and projects across three islands. It is expected to attract more global art pilgrims to the area, which has seen around six million visitors since 2004.
Some installations are set within the natural landscape, while others are discreetly placed within normal village houses. The museum’s inaugural exhibition, "From the Origin to the Future," presents works by a dozen Asian artists, including notable figures like Takashi Murakami and Pannaphan Yodmanee.
Cai Guo-Qiang’s major installation "Head On," featuring 99 wolf sculptures, highlights the museum's commitment to thought-provoking contemporary art. His work addresses themes of humanity beyond its original context. The museum also includes dedicated galleries for other contemporary artists, such as Do Ho Suh.
The museum represents the culmination of the 30-year collaboration between Ando and Japanese billionaire Soichiro Fukutake, who has spearheaded the Benesse project since its inception in 1992. Fukutake expressed a desire to create a utopia where happiness can be found through contemporary art.
As the museum opens, it will also rotate exhibitions periodically, catering to returning visitors who wish to experience the evolving art scene. Ando’s design incorporates local traditions, including charred cedar facades, to ensure the museum harmonizes with its environment.
Fukutake has indicated that he will pass leadership of the project to his son, reflecting on the foundation he has laid in transforming Naoshima through art. He expressed satisfaction with what he has accomplished and hopes for a peaceful transition when the time comes.