Pat's Blog

Walking around the greater Takamatsu area is so often full of pleasant surprises and here’s one for you and also a great place to see.
I’d not heard of it until a couple of friends suggested a visit and I’m glad they did, and I was gratified to see the Shikoku-Mura Gallery in Yashima.



The world-renowned Tadao Ando designed this building with its inner water gardens and his architectural style is distinctive, always beautiful and I never tire of it.



On exhibition is an admix collection from the Jomon period of ancient Japan to a few pieces from the French Impressionists, always held in high esteem by the Japanese. And I suppose everywhere else but the Impressionists do have a special place in their hearts.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5402.html
The map on the link gives the train information to the foot of Mt. Yashima Shikoku Mura and the gallery. This is a combined gallery and Shikoku Mura Village. A ticket for both is 1,000 yen and it’s open year round but from 8:30 a.m.~5:50 p.m. except through April to October when it closes at 5:30 p.m.



All the art on display sits well in the graceful-modern & concrete structure. Ando’s special gift for making the natural light filter through his structures in such an unequaled way makes it particularly so. Tight turns on curved stairs, nooks-and-crannies, unpredictable corridors leading to open areas, there’s such a lot to appreciate in any of Ando’s buildings.



Outside, the garden is very clearly an integral part of Ando’s design for the gallery and it’s meant to be explored & enjoyed as a part of the whole gallery experience.



I’ll be back soon to talk about the Folk-House Open-Air Museum & gallery, which is a part of the Art Village next week.



Until then, and if you’re in Japan please enjoy the lovely Autumnal warmth and the changing seasons. Now is the perfect time for moon viewing. Jack Frost will soon be with us tinting the landscape with his brush and we’ll be in the grip of winter once again.

So see you all again soon …