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Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The first contemporary art museum on the island remains one of the best. A superb fusion of nature, art and architecture that displays the works of Andy Warhol, Richard Long, Bruce Nauman, and others. The Museum building, now one of 4 buildings in the complex, was designed by world famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando. There are also numerous outdoor exhibits nearby.
The Benesse House (ベネッセハウス) is an art museum and hotel on Naoshima, an island of Japan, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. It opened in 1992 and was an early effort of the Benesse Art Site's activities to revitalize Naoshima into an art haven. Since then, Ando has expanded it and combined it with other parts of the Benesse Art Site, such as the Valley Gallery and the Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery, both of which were opened in 2022.
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李禹煥美術館
Also designed by Tadao Ando, this museum displays only the works of Lee Ufan 李禹煥.
地中美術館
Designed by the architect Tadao Ando and entirely underground, this museum integrates art and architecture. The museum only has a few exhibits: 5 paintings by Claude Monet, a room with a giant sphere and 27 wooden sculptures designed by Walter de Maria, and 3 works by James Turrell, including one where you walk into a room with variable lighting that changes your perception. The James Turrell work is certainly best appreciated with as few people around as possible, so visit early in the day before the crowds arrive. Tickets must be purchased at the ticket center approximately 50 m down the road. Next to the entrance is a garden modeled after the scenery that inspired Claude Monet. A special night program on Friday and Saturday is offered to view Turrell's 'Open Sky' work at sunset for additional fee of ¥500. Advance online reservations are required.
家プロジェクト 南寺 ジェームズ・タレル
“Backside of the Moon” by James Turrell. Architecture by Tadao Ando. Walk into a building in complete darkness and feel the sensation after the lights are eventually slowly turned on.
家プロジェクト はいしゃ
“Dreaming Tongue/Bokkon-Nozoki” by Shinro Ohtake. Haisha means "dentist" and this was once the house of a dentist.
家プロジェクト 護王神社
“Appropriate Proportion” by Hiroshi Sugimoto. You can get into the shrine by taking the little path to the right, i.e. the seaside. It's quite simply incredible so don't miss it.
家プロジェクト 角屋
“Sea of Time '98”, “Naoshima’s Counter Window”, “Changing Landscape” by Tatsuo Miyajima. Watch a "sea" of LED numbers counting up and down.