"Takamatsu" Tote Bag and Sketch

"Takamatsu" sketch and "Takamatsu" Tote Bag

I did this sketch while visiting the island of Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea, off the coast of Japan. I was not sure what to expect when I signed up for this excursion, but it was truly mind boggling!  

In the 1980s, a gentleman named Mr. Soichiro Fukutake had the vision and the means to create a project that would turn this island into a place of nature and culture that would be world class. It would take enormous resources, courage, and perseverance, but he was able to accomplish his magnificent vision. It has taken over 25 years to build what currently exists, and there are more projects planned. 

Mr. Tadao Ando was the architect who visited in the early 80s and agreed to help him create the vision. The result is extraordinary.  

Naoshima is the home of the Benesse Art Museum, an Art Project in Naoshima's Honmura district, the the Chi Chu Museum, and the Lee Ufan Museum. The whole island is a treasure trove of art, culture and architecture.

The Chi Chu Museum is an architectural masterpiece. It's built largely underground, and is the permanent home for works of Claude Monet, James Turell and Walter De Maria. The building itself is art, as it was built as a fully subterranean building integrated into the landscape. The light is filtered magically into each room through the barely visible openings in the ground.  Seeing these works of art in natural light was just amazing.

There were many art installations around the island, but I found these boats in a little cove. This sketch always reminds me of that magical tour to Naoshima the treasures and fabulous museums I saw. I am so happy I had the opportunity to visit them - the experience really touched me.