[Art Appreciation while taking a walk] Aichi Public Art Exploration in Shirakawa Park

Others (art)

Nagoya city Naka-ku Sakae

Posting date: 2021.06.08

[Art Appreciation while taking a walk] Aichi Public Art Exploration in
Shirakawa Park

Table of Contents

There are ways to enjoy art in the city 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.

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

Added 2021.06

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 Shirakawa Park area.

Let's go now!

Shirakawa Park

We came to Shirakawa Park, a 5-minute walk from "Fushimi" station on the subway Higashiyama line / Tsurumai line. It's so rich in nature that you wouldn't think it's in the middle of the city, and it's perfect for exploring public art!

Barry Fraganan, "Hare on Ball and Claw"

Immediately after entering the northwestern part of the park, there is a work by British artist Barry Fraganan, "Hare on Ball and Claw." The hare series, which began around 1980, is his representative work.

Kinro Imai“ Image Wall Circle - Vista”

This big triangle in front of the Nagoya City Science Museum is also a work of art!

"Image Wall Circle - Vista" by Kinro Imai from Nagano Prefecture. The stainless steel pillars form a mountainous landscape. Together with the fountain, it is a landmark of the park.

Ilya Kabakov "They are Looking Downward"

There is also a work right next to the fountain! Many people have not noticed it until now, right? !

"They are Looking Downward" by Ilya Kabakov, a contemporary artist from the former Soviet Union (now Ukraine).

In this work, 16 boys are peering downward. The composition is simple, but the work contains a difficult theme: "The center should be dark because 'they' are looking into a space like a well, but the brightness is pure white like the sky.

Nagoya City Science Museum

Passing through the Nagoya City Science Museum, we decided to venture outside the park.

Masayuki Takagi “ambivalence”

Shinsuke Yamamoto "Journey of the Heart - A New Path -"

Walking a little further, you will see two works of art. Even though we usually walk casually along the streets, we are surprised at the number of public artworks we see when we walk around like this.

Let's go back to the park again.

Although it is not listed on the public art map, many people enjoyed taking pictures in front of this work. A spot where you can take photogenic pictures!

EC Sebastian "Palmas"

Shin Nomizu "Striding Parabolic Form" "Cylinder Penetrating Two Stones"

Nomizu Makoto "Striding Parabolic Form"

Some can be found in a flash, while others are difficult to find even while looking at the map.

Nagoya City Art Museum

Next, let's go to the Nagoya City Art Museum area!

There are some public art in the museum, so please check it out.

Alexander Calder "Fafnir-Dragon II"

One of the most eye-catching works is "Fafnir-Dragon II" by American sculptor Alexander Calder. The title comes from the dragon in Norse mythology. Five colors of white, black, yellow, red, and blue wings on a red body sway vividly with the wind.

Red Grooms "Woolworth Building"

In the basement lobby of the museum, the first thing that catches your eye is Mr. Redgrooms' work "Woolworth Building".

Red Grooms is a multi-media artist who is considered a master of contemporary pop art. He is famous for his colorful pop art featuring the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Jonathan Borofsky "The Hammering Man"

Next to it is "Hammering Man" by Jonathan Borofsky, an American contemporary artist. It is said that he creates works based on his own dreams and thoughts.

You can see the performance of hitting the hammer for 15 minutes once an hour!

Jonathan Borofsky "Flying Man"

There is also a work by Jonathan Borofsky near the ceiling!

This is "Flying Man". As the title says, it flies in the air. It is a work of a dream of flying in the sky, and the size of the work is the same as his height.

Isamu Noguchi "Spirit"

A work by Isamu Noguchi stands alone on the south side of the Nagoya City Art Museum. This work was created in Isamu Noguchi's atelier in Mure, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is a luxurious feeling to be able to encounter the work of Isamu Noguchi, who continued to carve his soul into stone.

Anthony Gormley "Close V"

There are many works around the museum. Lying on the ground is "Close V" by Anthony Gormley, one of Britain's leading contemporary sculptors. It is said that he uses his own body as a mold to create his works. No wonder it's so real!

Makio Yamaguchi "Inclining Form - Square Pillar"

Noe Aoki “Untitled”

The work blends into the greenery of the park. Only public art can be enjoyed together with the scenery like this.

Shingu Susumu "Kaze no Matsuri"

The Kaze no Matsuri (Wind Festival) by Susumu Shingu, a sculptor known for his works that move with wind and water, was once located at the east exit of Nagoya Station.

Let's go around the park clockwise and go to the west side.

Horst Anthes "Five human bodies for Nagoya"

"Five Human Body for Nagoya" by German artist Horst Anthes. Five works are installed in the forest. You can enjoy various expressions depending on how thick the trees are and the angle of the light.

Masaaki Nishi “Iron, Tremor, and Vibration”

If you go a little further through the forest, you will find Masaaki Nishi's work " Iron, Tremor, and Vibration " We didn't know there was such a big work in the forest.

Shirakawa Park

This is the end of the Public Art Exploration Shirakawa Park edition.

It was more enjoyable than we had imagined. It was amazing to see how much art there is in the landscapes we usually see. It is good that the spots are set up like a stamp rally, so you can enjoy walking while having fun.

The course we toured this time took about 1 to 1.5 hours. We hope you enjoy exploring public art in conjunction with the Nagoya City Science Museum and the Nagoya City Art Museum!

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