Benesse House, Naoshima

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=170 BGCOLOR="#003366" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="burj.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Burj Al Arab, Dubai"><U>Burj Al Arab, Dubai</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="jumeirah.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai"><U>Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="ritz.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RitzCarlton Millenia, Singapore"><U>Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="okura.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hotel Okura, Tokyo"><U>Hotel Okura, Tokyo</U></A></div> <div> <B>Benesse House, Naoshima </B></div> <div> <A HREF="lalu.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Lalu, Taiwan"><U>The Lalu, Taiwan</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India "><U>Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India  </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hotel de la Paix, Siem Riep, Cambodia"><U>Hotel de la Paix, Siem Riep, Cambodia</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#9999CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#663366" FACE="Arial" >Artful Hotels of the World</FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#663399" FACE="Times New Roman" >    </FONT> |    <B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#6633CC" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Artful Hotels of the World"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >back to</FONT> <B> </B><A HREF="asia.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Asia and Middle East"><U><B>Asia and Middle East</B></U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="055f0030.png" border=0 width="496" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Benesse House, Naoshima </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>. . . . . A Coexistence of Nature, Art and Architecture</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Naoshima subtly asserts its existence as a site of creation, where the rhythm between nature and history of the Inland Sea of Japan and the selected artworks resonate together. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Benesse House is a core facility of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, opened in 1992 with the theme of "coexistence of nature, architecture and art." The building, designed by Tadao Ando, faces the Inland Sea of Japan from the hill of the island's south side. It has a structure that expands outward. Guests can enjoy the outside nature from inside the room at all times. Benesse House permanently exhibits site-specific artworks, made by artists for the site, that consider the nature of Naoshima and the architecture of Tadao Ando. At the start of each process, artists visit Benesse House, find a location and start making work. Works are not limited to the gallery space, and are located in a variety of places inside the building as well as in the surrounding sea line and forests. The gallery space introduces artwork from our collection using different themes. </B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="04907760.jpg" border=0 width="519" height="374" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Benesse House</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The scenery of the Inland Sea of Japan that is visible from Naoshima is very calm and beautiful. </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>"Because our society is overflowing with materials and information, I wanted to create a site removed from the noise of the city where people could truly reflect on the meaning of "Living Well." Such an environment would provide us energy, both mentally and physically, and allow us to experience a moment of repose. Rather than learning the already predetermined value of art, I wanted individuals to have a direct connection with art while forming their own understandings. Art should be something that allows one to reflect on the meaning of "Living well." </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>The art activities in Naoshima began with these thoughts and have continued for the past 10 years.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Benesse House provides accommodation facilities, restaurant, café and lounge bar, so visitors can enjoy the art without haste. The Benesse House Annex (designed by Tadao Ando) is an accommodation-only facility that opened in 1995.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Outdoor artworks are located in various areas of the south end of Naoshima Island facing the shore of the Inland Sea of Japan. Artworks that blend into the landscape of Naoshima and change in appearance along with the ever changing landscape and seasons allow visitors to rethink the natural environment that surrounds us.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="057ea610.jpg" border=0 width="490" height="353" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Prior to Benesse House, Seaside Park began in 1989. It is a starting point of activities provided in Naoshima by Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Seaside Park provides outdoor accommodation facilities (Pao and Tents) and a restaurant. It is a facility where visitors can enjoy their stay, while feeling close to nature and the art of Naoshima</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>