2016.11.18 

AICHI Triennale 2016 closes successfully on October 23

Aichi Triennale 2016, one of the largest contemporary art festivals in Japan, came to a successful close on Sunday, October 23, 2016.

Over the 74 days since its opening on Thursday, August 11, 2016, a public holiday, the Triennale was attended by 601,635 visitors. The organizers wish to thank all of those who visited and everyone who offered their cooperation.

A closing ceremony took place on the evening of October 23 on the second floor deck of the Aichi Arts Center, in which artistic director MINATO Chihiro gave a speech in front of the artwork NET Project, created by one of the Triennale's International Art Exhibition artists João MODÉ. The artistic director, along with the contemporary artists and performing artists attending the closing ceremony, also contributed to the NET Project by adding their own colorful cords to the net.

Artistic director MINATO Chihiro pictured with Triennale curators and artists attending the closing ceremony. Photo: Kikuyama

Closing speech by artistic director MINATO Chihiro

Aichi Triennale 2016, which opened at the height of summer, is now drawing to a close. The theme of this Triennale was, "Homo Faber: A Rainbow Caravan." Many people traveled to Aichi from different parts of the country and the world to join us on a journey through art.

As I speak, I am standing beside a work titled NET Project by Brazilian artist João MODÉ. During the Aichi Triennale, NET Project took place at the three venues of Nagoya, Toyohashi and Okazaki, in addition to the Mobile Triennale, enjoying the participation of a great many visitors. The diversity of the colors, cords and knots that make up this net seems to represent contemporary art itself, which I believe is the sum of the diversity, sensibilities, interests and courage of the people participating in it. Aichi Triennale was created not just by artists but also by everyone who enjoys viewing art, who have become interested in art, who are willing to create art, and who are willing to share art festivals with others.

The artists who participated in this Triennale are all exhibiting artists who regularly hold solo shows in their home cities and countries, or have works on display at museums. In the future, there will no doubt be more and more art festivals both in Japan and abroad. If this Triennale has stimulated your interest in contemporary art, I urge you to visit such shows, museums and events as well. Doing so will promote the arts as a whole, which will reward our efforts more than anything else.

Under the theme "Caravanserai," this 74-day-long Triennale gave birth to numerous different forms of art situations, which I think taught us that considerable achievements are indeed possible wherever people meet and are willing to contribute whatever abilities they have.

Although Aichi Triennale 2016 has closed, our journey has not ended. Artists who participated in this Triennale, and visitors who came to see it, will, I am sure, create their own, unique caravanserais in their own cities and countries, thereby continuing our journey on and on.

So, instead of saying farewell, let me simply wish you a very good journey. Thank you very much.

Artistic Director MINATO Chihiro speaking at the closing ceremony Photo: Kikuyama