Take a stroll through the old Tokaido Fujisawa post town and encounter the past and contemporary art.
The Fujisawa-juku district of the former Tokaido road retains historical buildings and landscapes. The "Fujisawa Past and Present Town Art Tour," which aims to connect its traditions and culture to the future through contemporary art, is being held again this year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned invitation and exchange with overseas artists has been postponed, but in their place, seven local domestic artists are participating. The "town art" activities, set against the backdrop of Fujisawa-juku's historical and cultural heritage, will continue without interruption.
Fortunately, most of the venues are open spaces, such as outdoors. Why not take a stroll out while taking thorough infection control measures?
The first place we visited was "Sekiji Shoten Pan no Kura Fudo Ishigura".
This bakery is located in a renovated granary built in 1886, which is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. I went inside and went up to the second floor where the exhibition is held.
The space, with its exposed earthen walls, displays two oil paintings and a three-dimensional sculpture. The artist, Miho Tsuboi, says that Fujisawa is still "like her backyard" because she spent her student days there.
"The scenery around the station has changed quite a bit, but I feel that the colors of the sea and sky, and the abundance of greenery, remain the same."
The title of the piece, which features a cloth-wrapped object surrounded by thin balsa wood, is "Nest." It evokes the image of something being protected and nurtured.
"During my student days, I often hung out around Enoshima, so I didn't pay much attention to the old highway. Walking along it again as an adult, I've rediscovered the charm of Fujisawa, seeing how these magnificent storehouses and old houses have been preserved and are being utilized. Finishing my artwork 'The Nest' here, protected by the earthen walls, makes me feel very happy. It's also nice to have the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread wafting up from the floor below (laughs)."
*The exhibition at "Pan no Kura Fudo" is only open during business hours (8am to 3pm, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays).
Next, we visited the "Former Inamotoya Kimono Shop." Founded in the late Edo period, it was a wealthy merchant's business, but due to a fire in 1977 and other deterioration, only two storehouses remain today. This exhibition features the storehouses, the garden, and the monument commemorating Emperor Meiji's visit located behind the building.
Mizuki Yui is exhibiting her work inside the storehouse. It seems that her choice of this exhibition space is not unrelated to the fact that she is from a town known for its storehouses in Fukushima Prefecture.
"I love the idea of using historical buildings and other historical sites to exhibit artwork. This time, I've created a piece themed around the 'time' that flows through this old house and land, and will be exhibiting it in two locations: the storehouse and the hill behind it (where the monument commemorating Emperor Meiji's visit is located)."
Inside the storehouse, you can find the tools of the people who have lived here.
"I hope to create a work that captures the essence of human life, including its very breath, and condenses it into a condensed form."
To capture the "time" that flows through this house and land, Mr. Yui asked the fifth-generation head of the Inamoto family for his cooperation.
We asked Ms. Yui to clasp her hands together as if scooping up water, and then we took a mold of the inside of her hands and poured in resin (pine resin) to create a heart-shaped object. Apparently, this shape surprised even Ms. Yui.
"When resin condenses over many years, it turns into amber. With that meaning in mind, I chose it as a material to represent time. I plan to make two of these and place them in the storehouse and on the hill behind it. I hope to literally borrow the owner's 'hands' to express the condensed passage of time."
Works by Akira Harada are on display in the garden of the former Inamotoya.
The theme of the work is "Old Houses Today."
The sculpture, which incorporates materials such as salvaged wood from a demolished house and intertwines electrical wires, evokes the image of an old house with exposed wiring for the installation of new equipment. It is said to represent Fujisawa, where new buildings and historical structures coexist.
Ms. Harada is, in a sense, a specialist in outdoor art, having run "Forest Lab " for over 20 years in the forest next to Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia and Satoyama Garden. She was born in Fujisawa Honmachi and currently lives in nearby Samukawa, but this is her first time participating in "Town Art Tour" as the timing hasn't worked out until now.
"The town of Fujisawa is changing so rapidly, it's surprising. But even so, hidden amongst the big buildings, there are still remnants of the old-fashioned scenery, and I hope people will take a leisurely stroll and notice them."
We spoke with artist Naoaki Ito, who is the representative of the Fujisawa Past and Present Town Art Project Executive Committee.
"This is our 11th time doing this, and something really different happens every time (laughs)."
Each venue is taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as disinfection, ventilation, and avoiding crowded spaces. When you come out, please be mindful of your health, such as fever or cough, and please also be considerate of wearing a mask and maintaining distance from other attendees. We apologize for any inconvenience, but first and foremost, we are happy that we were able to hold the event."
"Although the planned visits of international artists did not materialize, we have many experienced resident artists within Japan. I believe there is something we artists should do in response to the current climate of division. I want to continue this modest activity, carefully weaving together these thoughts."
In addition to the above, the "Fujisawa Past and Present Town Art Tour 2020 " also features exhibitions at "Arita House" and "Fujisawa-juku Exchange Hall." Why not enjoy a "short trip" to encounter contemporary art while reflecting on the region's history?
Fujisawa Past and Present Town Art Tour 2019
[Exhibition Opening Dates] October 31st (Sat), November 1st (Sun), 7th (Sat), 8th (Sun), 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun), 21st (Sat), 22nd (Sun), 23rd (Mon/Public Holiday)
[Time] 11:00 - 16:00
*Kurafudo Bakery at Sekiji Shoten will be open from 8:00 to 15:00 , except on Mondays and Tuesdays during the event period.
[Venues] Sekiji Shoten ( Pan no Kura Fudo ) , Former Inamotoya Kimono Shop, Arita House, Fujisawa-juku Exchange Hall, Fujisawa City
[Participating Artists] ASADA , Naoaki Ito, Kaoru Sasaki, Miho Tsuboi, Akira Harada, Masayuki Fushimi, Mizuki Yui
