#artbiotopwatergarden

[suzylwade]

Art Biotop Nestled within the foot of the ‘Nasu Mountains', slightly North of Tokyo is ‘Art Biotop’ an art retreat and artist’s residency. They offer classes in pottery and glass-blowing - as well as cycling and spa treatments. One of their highlights is the meditative ‘Water Garden’ designed by architect Junya Ishigami. The water garden comprised of 318 trees and 160 uniquely-sized biotopes (or ponds). Despite the organic feel such a garden should be physically impossible - the water basins alone would raise the water level to the point where the trees couldn’t thrive. This water garden is, in fact, a carefully calculated work of art that masks the human element that made it possible: a concept distilled from traditional Japanese gardens. The trees occupying the garden were originally located on the site where a hotel was to be built. Over the course of 4 years, each and every tree was carefully measured, uprooted, transported and replanted according to carefully considered blueprints. Numerous ponds were added between the trees to reflect the sunlight that filters through the leaves. Blankets of moss were added to fill the spaces between the trees and ponds. The result is a contemplative environment that marries nature, art and human technology. Guests staying at the retreat are allowed access to the garden. If you fancy a day trip to visit Ishigami’s garden you’ll need to book one of ‘Art Biotop’s’ tours. #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #biotopes #forest #japan #nasumountains #artbiotopnasu #artistsretreat #environment #henrikfrodeobelfoundation #obelaward #tomássaraceno #artbiotopwatergarden #junyaishigami (at Japan 日本) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQamUbzFYzY/?utm_medium=tumblr

[suzylwade]

Art Biotop Titled ‘Art Biotop Water Garden’, Junya Ishigami’s earthwork landscape is nestled among the foothills of Japan’s ‘Nasu Mountains’. Ishigami opened ‘Water Garden’ at ‘Art Biotop Nasu' during the summer of 2018. The project has now been honoured with the inaugural ‘Obel Award’. The capacious, large-scale project called for the relocation of an entire forest - tree by tree. This endeavour highlighted the Ishigami’s great respect and care for the environment. The ‘Water Garden’ nurtures the viewer’s interaction with nature, demonstrating how one might leave an imprint on it without destroying it. The ‘Obel Award’ is a new, international prize for architectural achievement presented annually by the ‘Henrik Frode Obel Foundation’, founded by Henrik Frode Obel (1942 - 2014). The prize is €100,000 and an artwork by Tomás Saraceno. The aim of the award is to honour recent and outstanding architectural contributions to human development all over the world. #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #biotopes #forest #japan #nasumountains #artbiotopnasu #artistsretreat #environment #henrikfrodeobelfoundation #obelaward #tomássaraceno #artbiotopwatergarden #junyaishigami (at Japan 日本) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQamISRFD0I/?utm_medium=tumblr

[suzylwade]

Art Biotop Junya Ishigami’s earthwork landscape is nestled among the foothills of Japan’s ‘Nasu Mountains'. This artificial environment was manifested with the aim of obscuring the boundary between architecture, landscape architecture, art and environmentalism. While the garden is carefully modelled and reliant on technological artefacts, the work undeniably natural - a living organism that grows and changes by its own inherent dynamics. The water garden, which is attached to artist's retreat ‘Art Biotop’ is formed of 318 trees planted around 160 small ponds. These ponds, or biotopes, are miniature habitats for aquatic plants and animals. #neonurchin #neonurchinblog #dedicatedtothethingswelove #suzyurchin #ollyurchin #art #music #photography #fashion #film #words #pictures #neon #urchin #biotopes #forest #japan #nasumountains #artbiotopnasu #artistsretreat #environment #henrikfrodeobelfoundation #obelaward #tomássaraceno #artbiotopwatergarden #junyaishigami (at Japan 日本) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQamN_HlcFB/?utm_medium=tumblr