我孫子市国際交流協会

Term: Nov.1/Sun. to Nov.15/Sun., 2009
Exhibition site: Aijima-no-mori, Fusa Shimin-no-mori, Flower partk, Library area, etc.

The twelfth Abiko International Open-Air Art Exhibition is being held for two weeks at Fusa-shimin-no-mori and its surrounding spots.
In addition to nine foreign artists, twenty local artists and groups, children of nearby kindergarten and nursery school have participated in creating works, which have reached more than thirty.
An opening ceremony was held on November 1, 2009, at the Aijima's courtyard to start the 14-day Open-Air Art Exhibition.
A congraturatory speech was given by Mr. Junichiro Hoshino, Mayor of Abiko, then Mr. Masaki Maeno, Secretary General of the Exhibition Committee introduced the Icelandic Ambassador's wife, local and overseas artists, and finally explained about whole schedule.
Participating overseas artists are those from Iceland, Austria, Estonia, India, South Korea and U.S.A., which is the largest number in the past.
After the ceremony, about fifty visitors started for 3-hour lecture hiking. The two-week open-air art exhibition is now kicked off.
Upon arriving at a work of art, the relevant artist explained about the aim and process of creation of his/her work. As it happens to be a foreign artist's work, accompanying AIRA volunteer interpreters tried to translate it to Japanese hikers.
Appreciation of art in open air has an atmosphere peculiar to nature, different from that in a room.
This year's universal motto for the event is "Be cheerful !" or "Cheer up !" as proposed by Mr. Hiroshi Egami, General Manager of the committee. How nicely it reflects the current social situation !
Works with various sizes and colors insist respective form and space at fields, lakeside, woods, hills, parks, banboo wood, unused house, etc.
An amusing roring wired-rings in a chestnut grove, several long strings in bamboo wood reflecting light, winding object in the woods made of bamboo sawdusts, and so on.
Of all, the floating work "The Dream" collaborated by two Icelandics which is composed of five 3-meter long tear-like objects colord by red, pink, blue, silver and orange looks drawing more attention of the viewers.
A work which gives an image of prayer in a thick wood, a white broad water fall of plastic fibers between trees, river of numerous white empty plastic bottles in vast green field, works by kindergarten children, are also points of interest for the viewers.
All hikers enjoyed walking in the field and listening in explanations by artists under serene autumn sky.
During the exhibition period many visitors are enjoying walking and looking around various objets des arts, which count 34 pieces.
Prior to the exhibition's start, several subordinate events have been held such as courtesy call to the Mayor, press conference, lake-cuising, symposium, opening ceremony, etc. In the all occasions, AIRA volunteer interpreters assisted communication between foreign artists and local people. The exhibition lasts till Sunday, November 15, 2009.