Japan´s arty-pelago: Naoshima and beyond
(The Guardian Travel News)

Among shrines, rice fields and abandoned buildings, contemporary art has transformed 12 rural islands into a creative paradise - the setting for the 2019 Setouchi TriennaleI´m sitting on a concrete floor watching water droplets as they skitter across the smooth surface. Around me, other people seem equally transfixed. They stand in silent contemplation staring at beads of water bubbling up from tiny holes in the floor, or lie gazing at the vast domed roof, where two oval openings let natural light flood in. The slightest movement echoes around the space. I take a pen out to make some notes and a member of staff suddenly appears at my side and indicates that I should put it away. Phones are also a strict no-no.Teshima Art Museum turns the standard idea of what a museum is on its head. For a start it´s empty. Or to be precise, there is nothing on display. Instead of looking at art works or objects, the visitor is invited to contemplate nature in its purest form: light, water, air. The effect is deeply calming. After 20 minutes, I practically float out. Continue reading...