Unexpected Adventures

What a surprise! After biking and then hiking along narrow paths through mountain villages, past persimmon trees and temples to an open forest trail and then up to the top of the mountain—we encountered this amazing artwork by Christian Boltanski, La fôret des murmures.

Hundreds of wind chimes installed in the forest, ringing lightly in the breeze. On strips of transparent material hanging from each bell are names of loved ones written by past visitors

This installation is located on the island of Teshima in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. Teshima is best known for the Teshima Art Museum designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa. It is one of the Benesse art islands.

After coming back down the mountain on foot we rode our bikes up and down a few more hills to the Museum. The hike was the perfect physical prelude to the calm and quiet needed to truly experience the meditative space inside the Teshima Art Museum.

No talking or photos allowed. Just people, seated on the ground gazing at the sky through the openings in the roof. This otherworldly space has been described as a spaceship or a womb. Regardless of the reference, it cannot really be described. One must experience it.

More on the Teshima Art Museum in the next post.