The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale

At the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, attendees are able to explore over 230 artworks throughout the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field in Niigata.

This region in Japan is a place characterised by heavy snowfall in winter, therefore depopulation is an ever-growing issue along with rapid ageing–the Triennale helps to combat this with its tourism. Artworks are scattered across 200 villages in the area, where visitors not only come into contact with contemporary art but also with the ongoing practises of satoyama that prevail there–’sato’ meaning village, ‘yama’ meaning mountain, this ancient Japanese practise is applied to areas where arable land meets the foothills of mountain terrain.

The Echigo-Tsumari region has cultivated its land for rice production since ancient times, forever under the harsh conditions like heavy snowfall, therefore locals understand and engage with their inseparable relationship with nature. During a trip to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, attendees have the chance to explore their own relation to nature too.

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is one of the finalists for Trippin 50, a cultural calendar featuring the best events around the world. Check out the Trippin 50 hub here.

Date and Location

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is taking place at Echigo-Tsumari Art Field from 13 July to 10 November 2024.