ブックタイトル秋吉台国際芸術村 Akiyoshidai International Art Village レジデンス・サポート・プログラム

概要

秋吉台国際芸術村 Akiyoshidai International Art Village レジデンス・サポート・プログラム

77The Future of This LandThis year we successfully carried out mountain burning in Akiyoshidai as we planned but not as usual. Wehad a good weather and the grassland turned black in the twinkling of an eye from scene of winter. Later, thisgrassland will sprout under spring sunshine and turn green all over the grassland here. It has been 10 yearssince we invited AIAV's artists for the mountain burning. Since they came all the way from overseas, we decidedto have cultural exchange with our community members for them at a local community center in cooperationwith Shuho International Exchange Association. Started from last year, we had lunch together with these artistsafter the mountain burning. It was several days before their exhibition opening and I felt their nervousness but Iwanted them to enjoy relaxing moment with us and the view of this Japanese landscape in a rural area. On theother hand, behind an image of Japan with car and high-tech industry, I wanted them to learn about people inrural area who are struggling with depopulation and aging society. Hearing from those AIAV's artists every year,it seems that issues in rural area is more or less common issues in any country.Beside the local food and fish dishes from the Sea of Japan, a husband and wife who is a representative of thelocal agricultural cooperative corporation prepared wild boar hotpot. Normally, a wild boar is troublesome forus but for today it became a gift from our mountain and the dinner became very nice. Stepping up stone stepson a mountain behind our community center, we have a small shrine on the peak of the mountain. In the smallcompound, we worship gods of land, wind, and study. These gods also were surprised at these guests fromoverseas and some of these artists brought their hands together when I told them that these gods also werewelcoming them. Since a god of wind in a corner of the compound is placed high on the mountain, elderlypeople can't visit there. So, we asked the god to come down to a small house on the foot of the mountain 3years ago. I pointed out the small house for the god and I told these artists that it looks brand new because ofthe relocation. We both laughed and enjoyed the moment. I think they understand our Japanese local beliefsand our heart and sensibility.Looking over from the Shrine, the landscape in our village spreads out under the winter sky longing for arrivalof spring. Looking at these young artists stepping down the stone steps, it seems that they have full of brightfuture and hope. However, for myself, I wonder about “The Future of This Land". I am looking forward to “TheFuture of This Land” made by these artists.Urban-rural Exchange, The Representative of OmusubinosatoToru Yoshimura