Naoshima, Japan's 'art island', has become a destination for those seeking a transcendental visual experience. The island, once heavily polluted and dominated by a Mitsubishi plant, has been redeveloped by the billionaire Sōichirō Fukutake, transforming it into a haven for contemporary art. The island's 3,000 inhabitants and its unique setting in the Seto Inland Sea have become a backdrop for extraordinary artworks, from Claude Monet's paintings to Yayoi Kusama's iconic spotted pumpkin. The ultimate destination for art enthusiasts, Naoshima offers a unique blend of natural beauty and artistic expression, with a focus on the works of Korea-born artist Lee Ufan.
The highlight of Naoshima's artistic offerings is the sculpture 'Porte Vers l’Infini', or 'Gate to Infinity', a steel arch that seems to intensify the beauty of its surroundings. The artist, Lee Ufan, aims to take viewers to a place where they can feel the deep breath of the universe. With a career spanning decades, Lee Ufan has become a revered figure in the art world, with two museums dedicated to his work and a retrospective exhibition in Venice, Italy, coinciding with the Biennale. The exhibition will showcase his early sculptures as part of the Mono-ha movement, which explores the relationship between objects in nature.
Lee Ufan's work is characterized by its exploration of the clash between industry and nature, as seen in his early sculpture 'Relatum', a pane of glass cracked by the weight of a boulder. His art often involves a dialogue with materials, as evidenced by his 1969 work 'Things and Words', where he chased sheets of paper being blown around a square. Lee Ufan's commitment to simplicity and minimalism is evident in his preference for paring things down, as he once said, 'I want viewers to perceive the things I did not paint as much as the things I did'.
The artist's dedication to his craft is also reflected in his daily routine, which includes walking, acupuncture, and breath exercises to calm his body. Lee Ufan's international reputation has faced challenges, such as being barred from a festival in New York due to his Korean heritage, but he remains committed to bridging cultural divides through his art. His boulders, carefully placed and enigmatic, serve as conduits to deeper contemplation, exploring the relationships between the interior and the exterior, and the awareness of our bodies in nature.
Lee Ufan's work continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, with exhibitions at Dia:Beacon in upstate New York and SMAC in Venice, Italy. His unique perspective, shaped by his Korean heritage and Japanese upbringing, has contributed to his global recognition as a master of contemporary art.
