Journey Through Art and Nature: An Encounter at Naoshima's Valley Gallery

Yayoi Kusama's Narcissus Garden: A Display of Stainless Steel Spheres

Valley Gallery in Naoshima (直島町), Japan, is a notable part of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Designed by Tadao Ando, the gallery showcases his minimalist style with concrete structures. It features a trapezoid-shaped floor plan and an angular steel roof that blend with the natural valley surroundings. The design resembles a traditional Japanese shrine, creating a harmonious space for nature, art, and architecture.

The walls and roof are angled to allow natural light through slits, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, connecting the interior with the exterior landscape.

Art Installations:

• Yayoi Kusama's "Narcissus Garden": One of the most notable installations within and around Valley Gallery is Kusama's reflective spheres. Originally presented at the Venice Biennale in 1966, this work has been expanded for Naoshima, with 1,700 mirrored balls placed both inside the gallery and in the surrounding outdoor space, reflecting the environment and engaging visitors in a play of infinity and self-reflection.
• Tsuyoshi Ozawa's "Slag Buddha 88": Nearby, Ozawa’s work, made from slag — a by-product of industrial waste — features 88 Buddha statuettes. This installation not only showcases art but also highlights environmental concerns, integrating themes of regeneration and the repurposing of materials.

Art and Nature: An Encounter at Naoshima's Valley Gallery(YouTube link)

Photo Gallery

I first visited the Valley Gallery drawn by the vibrant autumn colors. As I approached, an outgoing customer gave me a glowing recommendation of the place. Inside, one of the most striking features was the installation by Kusama. Her reflective spheres, originally showcased at the Venice Biennale in 1966, have been magnificently expanded here for Naoshima. There are 1,700 mirrored balls, scattered both within the gallery and throughout the outdoor areas. These spheres capture and reflect the surrounding environment, creating an enchanting play of light, infinity, and self-reflection for all who wander through.

Autumn's Vivid Hues at Valley Gallery

Tsuyoshi Ozawa's "Slag Buddha 88"