January 2018 The Art House Project was a large leap into the lives of the locals of Naoshima Island. There are many articles out about how the local people were not sure about the entire Benesse project, and how through the years they have learned more and more about contemporary art, and have learned to … Read more
January 2018 Benesse – To Live Well The biggest employer on Naoshima is a Mitsubishi metals processing plant, but due to automation, and therefore, downsizing, the population of the island dropped from around 8,000 in the 1950s and 1960s to a little over 3,000 now. The island has been “saved” by art thanks to Benesse Holdings, … Read more
December 2017 Teshima is a rural island in the Seto Inland Sea that, with the nearby islands of Naoshima and Inujima has become a destination for contemporary art. The island also serves as one of the venues of the Setouchi Triennale art festival that is held in the region. The main attraction is the Teshima … Read more
December 30, 2017 Teshima is a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan. It had suffered economically until the Benesse Group, founded on the island of Naoshima, started turning the surrounding islands into art and architecture havens. I began this adventure on the island of Tashima, and in particular with the Tashima Art Gallery, … Read more
July 2014 Louisville is an interesting town. Everyone knows it for the Kentucky Derby, and I have always wanted to go, not to see the Derby, but to see the fireworks display on the bridges the night before. I found myself in Louisville for the weekend in the middle of June, and yes I suffered … Read more
Dublin February 2014 I am traveling with my friend Mari Zatman. We arrived at 9:00 am, which means for a long, long day to keep from falling victim to jet lag. We took a 6 euro ($8.24) bus from the airport to the neighborhood where our hotel is. Fortunately, it was just a few blocks … Read more