[Art Appreciation while taking a walk] Aichi Public Art Exploration around Nagoya station

There is a way to enjoy art without going to museums and galleries!

It is "public art". Public art is a work of art that is installed in public spaces such as squares and parks. It's a public space, so of course you can enjoy it for free.

So, at Life Designs, we would like to introduce you to public art in the city under the title "Aichi Public Art Exploration". You can enjoy the art while avoiding the three Cs, so it's perfect for now with Corona.

We used the "Public Art Map" introduced by the NPO "Enbu" as a reference. 18 areas are introduced mainly in Nagoya City. This time, we would like to visit the Nagoya station area.

Let's go now!

First, go to Midland Square!

First, head to Midland Square, the tallest building in the Tokai area in front of Nagoya Station. There are 9 public art pieces in this area, both indoors and outdoors.

① Ritsuko Tahori “Zero for 3 billion years”

First up is "Three Billion Years Zero," a work by Ritsuko Taho, a professor at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, located in the plaza at Midland Square. Ms. Taho has been creating public art in Japan and abroad since the 1980s under the theme of "coexistence of humans and the environment."

This work was created to commemorate the opening of Midland in 2007. On the 2.5-meter-diameter "Earth" half-covered with grass, there is a Sakaki tree that symbolizes the "Sacred Forest." It contains the desire that "even after 3 billion years, there will be a blue earth."

We have passed by the area many times, but we had no idea it was filled with such feelings. This kind of new awareness is one of the charms of public art.

② Atsushi Toyoshima "boat"

Now, let's go inside Midland Square. Make no mistake, this is the office building!

In the center of the entrance hall is Atsushi Toyoshima's work "boat". Mr. Toyoshima has been working on public art all over the country.

At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary stone work, but it is a relocation and reuse of three types of marble that have carved the history of the walls of the former Toyoda Building and the former Mainichi Building, the predecessors of this building. The work is filled with the idea of "retaining the memory of the past and connecting it to the new history.

③ Takenobu Igarashi “Horizontal Mood”

Also on display in the entrance hall is "Horizontal Mood," a work by sculptor Take-nobu Igarashi (Takenobu Igarashi). He creates public art using stone, clay, wood, and iron. This work is also made of wood and ink.

Go through the entrance hall to the stairs leading to the basement floor.

④ Takenobu Igarashi “To the Sky”

This is also the work of Takenobu Igarashi. This is a three-dimensional work. Since it is installed on the wall of the stairs, it can be viewed from various angles.

⑤ Yasuo Tominaga “Green Wind”

Yasuo Tominaga's work "Green Wind" was displayed on the wall of the first basement floor.

Reliefs of feathers in the space from the basement entrance to each office. It is said to represent the flow of fresh natural wind.

As we were taking pictures, people in suits passed by me curiously. We guess it is a place that is not usually frequented by the general public.

Then, take the elevator to the 5th floor of the office building.

⑥〜⑧ Midland Hall

The works from ⑥ to ⑧ are exhibited in the "Midland Hall" at the end of this escalator, but unfortunately we could not see them due to the restraint of business due to the influence of the coronavirus. It seems that you can see it when an event is held at Midland Hall.

Let's move on and take the elevator to the 41st floor.

⑨ Atsushi Hosoi “dream with smiles”

The work "dream with smiles" by sculptor Atsushi Hosoi is displayed in the Sky Lobby on the 41st floor.

At first glance, this work is composed of simple elements, but it is a beautiful work of art with a harmonious form that can be seen from any angle. Please enjoy the work from various angles.

After taking a short break in the Sky Lobby, head to the next spot.