September 2024 Issue
"A city by the sea"
Wide-area regional revitalization through art
The Shonan Coast (from Miura to Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture), a seaside town overlooking Mt. Fuji across Sagami Bay, is full of potential to attract great attention from around the world. Since we started our marina business in Shonan more than 20 years ago, we have always felt this way. Riviera has implemented various initiatives such as the LOVE OCEAN Project, Blue Carbon Belt®, and the Riviera SDGs Manga Award, and has striven to brand the entire Shonan Coast, which is connected by the sea, with the aim of revitalizing the region. And now, many masters and leaders in the art world have agreed with Riviera's desire to contribute to the wide-area revitalization of the attractive Shonan region from the perspective of culture and the arts through the dissemination of art from Shonan to the world, and we were able to hold the Shonan International Art Festival from November 10th to 12th.
"Making difficult things easy"
A humorous keynote speech
On November 10th, a two-part forum was held. In the first part, a keynote speech was given by Ryohei Miyata, a goldsmith who is a member of the Japan Art Academy, currently serves as the chairman of the Nitten Exhibition and a professor emeritus at Tokyo University of the Arts, and has also served as the 22nd Commissioner for Cultural Affairs and the XNUMXth President of Tokyo University of the Arts. He shared stories from his time in Germany, his time as Commissioner for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and his time with students at Tokyo University of the Arts, and he gave a witty talk that got the participants involved, talking about "making difficult things easy," "the fun of coming from old things," and "discoveries from new things."
Speaking from various perspectives
Talk session
In the second part, a talk session was held with Miyata, as well as sculptor Mineo Kambe, member of the Japan Art Academy and vice president and secretary general of the Nitten Exhibition; Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Kuroiwa Yuji; and Suzuki Hiroshi, former Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo. In addition to the general public, many artists, including members of the Japan Art Academy, came from all over the country to attend the forum, and despite the fact that many people believe that art is difficult, the speakers spoke in an enjoyable and easy-to-understand manner. Each speaker spoke from their own perspective on the appeal of Mount Fuji as seen from the sea, the origins of art creation, the importance of art education, and expectations for the Shonan International Art Festival, which values the "perspective from the sea." Participants
They shared a variety of impressions, including, "The time passed by so quickly," "I wanted to listen to more," "I was drawn into the art world as he talked about the fascinating aspects of art," and "It's exciting to think that with the addition of art, Shonan will become a high-class resort."
Tokugawa Ieyasu equestrian statue, Tokugawa Four Gods, From the West series, etc.
Arts come together in Shonan
New tourism based on the sea
At the main venue, Riviera Zushi Marina, a special exhibition and gallery talk by Mineo Kambe was held. The "Tokugawa Ieyasu Equestrian Statue," "Tokugawa Four Gods," "From the Western Country" series, and "Girl in a Turban" were all on display, and visitors were overwhelmed by the power of the exhibits. In addition to a new exhibit of Miyata Ryohei's representative "Springen" series, which is based on dolphins and is the origin of his work, his latest work inspired by Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay, where the Shonan International Art Festival is held, was also unveiled. Many visitors were fascinated by the dolphins that look like they might jump at any moment and the dynamism of the sea. At the satellite venue, in addition to a special private museum viewing of the large wooden classic yacht "Sinara," "Moons" by light artist Ryuji Ito and "Tairyo-bata Art" by Aquamarine Fukushima were also exhibited. By utilizing Riviera Zushi Marina, Riviera Seabornia Marina, and Enoshima Yacht Harbor, the seas are connected, and a new type of tourism where visitors can enjoy art by coming ashore from the sea is embodied. The Shonan Triennale will continue to explore the charms of Shonan, with its views of Mt. Fuji, from a maritime perspective, aiming to solve local issues while also generating new flows of people, and to promote a blue economy from the perspective of culture and the arts.
Springen Moonlight
Springen Fuji
The secret museum of "Cynara"
Large fishing flag art Moons
At the Shonan International Art Festival
Send a message to
Whats
Art enriches people's hearts. I deeply sympathize with and have high hopes for the Shonan International Art Festival's goal of further enhancing the appeal of the "sea towns with views of Mt. Fuji" that surround Sagami Bay, stretching from Miura to Yugawara, through the dissemination of art, while also generating new flows of visitors and addressing environmental issues and revitalizing the wider regional economy.
Member of the House of Representatives/99th Prime Minister
Mr. Yoshihide Suga
Shonan has a beautiful landscape that is comparable to, or even better than, the scenery in the Mediterranean where I studied for a long time. The Mt. Fuji that I often draw is even more beautiful when seen from the sea on a yacht, and I would like people all over the world to know more about it.
Western-style painter / Member of the Japan Art Academy / Person of Cultural Merit / Recipient of the Order of Culture
Mr. Koji Kinutani
70% of the earth is ocean. And this place "Shonan" is in perfect harmony with land and sea, with Mount Fuji in perfect balance. An art festival in this environment is a perfect fit for my theme of dolphins, so I was very happy to be invited to participate in the Shonan International Art Festival and to be involved in it.
Craftsman / Member of the Japan Art Academy / Person of Cultural Merit
Mr. Ryohei Miyata
The magnificent scale of the Shonan Sea facing the Pacific Ocean is something I can never experience in the Setouchi area where I live. The Shonan International Art Festival being held there gives me a sense of even greater prospects for the future. I sincerely hope that it will be an even more fulfilling event.
Calligrapher / Member of the Japan Art Academy / Person of Cultural Merit
Mr. Kenichi Kuroda
Shonan is my dream destination. Riviera Zushi Marina is close to the city center, and it's exciting to think of it expanding from a business district to a resort, with large cruise ships stopping here and people from all over the world coming to visit. I want to create works that depict Japanese culture and tradition in the present. I hope for and support its further development.
Japanese painter/member of the Japan Art Academy
Ms. Chie Fukuda
I used to have an atelier in Kataseyama. Almost every day I would go to Shonan Beach for lunch, eat pasta or curry, and then return to the atelier to continue my work. I am really happy that the art festival will be held in a place full of such memories. I hope that it will grow into a wonderful art festival.
Japanese painter/member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Hiroshi Senju
I read an article titled "Executives Flock to Art Museums". It seems that for people who have the responsibility to move forward, art museums are a rare place to encounter new values, and statistically, museum lovers have shown results. We are very happy about this Shonan International Art Festival.
Japanese painter/member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Reiichi Tsuchiya
Expressing the universality of natural beauty is an eternal theme for creators. Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, and the Shonan Sea overlooking it have been a creative land of our dreams since ancient times. We hope that the Shonan International Art Festival will continue to develop while cherishing the "perspective of art and culture from the sea" nurtured by history.
Sculptor/Member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Mineo Kobe
I was very impressed to have the opportunity to participate in such a large-scale event in Shonan, where Mt. Fuji is located. I often draw pictures of Mt. Fuji, so if there is anything I can do to help, I would love to cooperate. I hope that the Shonan International Art Festival will become even more popular as a part of regional revitalization.
Western-style painter/member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Satoshi Sato
A thousand-year-old ancient capital lined with many shrines and temples, beautifully changing with each season. The only things that can compare to it are the sea, light, and Mt. Fuji of Shonan!! If Murasaki Shikibu had stayed in Shonan, the Tale of Genji would have been different. I feel myself in an impossible, exciting space-time. Standing at the site of Shikibu's mansion, I am a Kyoto native.
Sculptor/Member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Tomiyuki Miyase
I look forward to seeing how the Shonan International Art Festival will unfold, surrounded by the abundance of nature and the love of the people, and how it will nourish the hearts of many. I hope that it will be able to dodge the big waves that stand in its way, ride the waves of time, and give birth to a grand-scale world of "beauty" that we can be proud of in the new world of Shonan.
Sculptor/Member of the Japan Art Academy
Mr. Tomohiko Yamada
I've been to Shonan since junior high, high school and college. This place has a rare openness and brightness. I dream of being able to convey this charm to the world through the power of art. I feel that this is also an act of liberation for myself.
建築 家
Mr. Kengo Kuma
Even though Japan is surrounded by the sea, it is wonderful to add art to the beauty of Shonan, which overlooks Mt. Fuji. I heard that the Shonan International Art Festival aims to connect with the world by disseminating a wide range of art and culture, and to revitalize the wider region. I would love to work with you in the field of music.
pianist
Mr. Ikuyo Nakamichi
The words "Shonan International Art Festival". I fell in love with it the moment I heard it. And the first one led by Riviera. I was blown away. A sudden gathering of distinguished artists. The prefecture can't afford to lose. I want to create an art hub in each coastal city and town and make it a highlight of marine tourism.
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture
Mr. Yuji Kuroiwa
