From October 12 to 14, our lab visited Kagawa for field study and a trip, and we also attended the Setouchi Triennale.
In mid-October, members of our laboratory visited Takamatsu City and several islands in the Seto Inland Sea for a three-day field study and excursion. Planning began during the summer, led by first-year master’s students and supported by faculty and lab members. By experiencing the intersection of nature, art, and public space firsthand, we aimed to deepen our understanding of regional culture and place-making practices in contemporary Japan.
The Seto Inland Sea was once land during the last glacial period, later transforming into today’s dramatic archipelagic landscape as sea levels rose. Islands such as Shodoshima and Teshima now support a unique system of inter-island art exhibitions, community engagement, and cultural revitalization. Our visit coincided with the autumn season of the Setouchi Triennale, held once every three years. We connected architectural sites, landscape works, and art installations into a single on-site learning route—observing how nature intervenes in space, how art responds to environment, and how communities participate in cultural production.