Naoshima

On a sunny and hot day, we left the hotel at 07.30 by taxi for the ferry port to catch the 08.00 ferry for the hour's ride to the island of Naoshima. Some of the group hired bikes but I walked around the island, visiting various art installations. The first was the Ando Museum and the Community Centre in the Honmura District with their distinctive architecture.
The Benesse House Museum adjoining a hotel was on a cliff with some Hockneys amongst the paintings, and art objects on the ground near the landing stage.
The Lee Ufan Museum and Valley Gallery had 88 buddhas in a field plus reflective silver balls in the Narcissus Garden, both very attractive.
The Chichu Art Museum, in a brutalist style with lots of concrete, had Monets plus the illusion of an infinite staircase.
There were public sculptures dotted around the island such as the Pumpkin.
The quiet walk took me past deserted beaches and probably a warm sea.
The island had been dedicated to art, partly to give it a purpose, with young people leaving for the greater opportunities in the cities.
With time to spare before the next ferry, I went to the Public Bath which was itself a work of art.
The 17.00 ferry took us back to Takamatsu. We went to a sushi and fish restaurant for dinner.Читать далее