Seto Inland Sea: The Primordial Waters of Art
Currently there are three artworks on display here at Kansai International. Because they’re located separately in the north and south international terminal wings, and at the concourse before the Arrivals gates, which piece you end up seeing depends on your luck. There may be a chance that you won’t be able to see either of them, but we will take some time to introduce them here.
The whirling tides of the Naruto Strait are said to have inspired the creation myths of the ancient peoples in this region, and artist Akiko Nakayama’s “Uzushio-zu” evokes them, expressing a central theme of flowing, liquid energy. She layers her own “Alive Painting” technique over an image of the whitecaps and tides of Naruto Strait, which consists of layering paints and inks of differing densities and textures, and drawing lines through the reacting pigments to create a swirling “flowing painting.” The way Nakayama’s painting moves is vivacious, the colors and bubbles vigorously churning like the tides of her subject matter.
“Phase,” by Daito Manabe of Rhizomatiks Research, is a visualization of the Seto Inland Sea and data from Kansai International Airport’s own international flight routes. The tidal cycles and shape of the waves in any given spot facing the Seto Inland Sea can vary greatly depending on the terrain, wind, and ocean currents. A base of symmetrically arranged LED lights employs real-time arrival and departure data to display the colors of a given destination’s national flag. Once upon a time, sailors navigated the seas by wind and tide. Nowadays, we soar the skies to cross great distances. The flashing lights provide perspective on the power of travel by intersecting the past with the future.
Both of these works are rooted in the Setouchi Region’s distinctive character. Its serene landscape and the 700 islands that dot the Inland Sea are products of the region’s unique terrain, and continue to fascinate artists, wordsmiths, and travelers alike to this day.
Unfortunately, there are some that will be unable to see either of these works. Nevertheless, in recent years many of the region’s treasures have appeared in prolific art festivals, such as the Setouchi Triennale and the Okayama Art Summit. Both happen once every three years, and some of those works can still be seen out of season. Some of them, including Summit attendee Ryan Gander’s “Imagineering,” are currently on display at the JR Kansai Airport Station. We hope you will get the chance to visit them yourself.
