【October 1 (Tue) to December 1 (Sun)】Art for a Casual Visit to Kurashiki 2024 - A new way to enjoy art through viewing and tasting. Sweets inspired by famous paintings will be available.

The heat has eased, and a season that is easy to go out has arrived. Autumn of appetite, autumn of art, autumn of sports. There are likely many things you want to do. Let's fulfill what we couldn't do in summer.

In Kurashiki City, this autumn, for two months, "Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2024 (hereinafter referred to as "Art de Furatto Kurashiki")" is being held. It is an event that satisfies both appetite and art. Let's look forward to enjoying an event packed with the charm of Kurashiki.

About Art de Furatto Kurashiki

"Art de Furatto Kurashiki" was born in 2019. There were years when it was canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will be held for the fifth time in 2024.

Kurashiki City has many art facilities, including the Ohara Museum of Art, as well as galleries and other art venues. Additionally, it is rich in fruits such as grapes and peaches, and colorful sweets are offered at various shops.

By viewing sweets as "edible art," Art de Furatto Kurashiki was born by combining art and sweets into a new tourism model.

The event brochure introduces art facilities and sweets in Kurashiki City. At the same time, a stamp rally is being held, and collecting stamps from participating stores will enter you into a lottery for prizes.

There are 20 art facilities listed. This is evidence that the history of art is rooted in Kurashiki.

The types of art are diverse, including paintings by artists, pottery works, and antique collections from the Showa era. Engaging with various forms of art seems to enrich one's sensibility.

15 sweet shops are listed in the sweets section. The listed shops offer original sweets inspired by famous paintings in the collection of the Ohara Museum of Art. It's amazing that paintings come to life in a three-dimensional world and can be eaten. Since the paintings that served as motifs are displayed in the shops, enjoying them while eating will enhance the event experience. Let's see the rich imagination of the creators with our eyes and taste it with our tongues.

Enjoy even more by participating in the stamp rally

To fully enjoy Art de Furatto Kurashiki, participating in the stamp rally is recommended. The participation method consists of three steps.

1. Obtain the brochure
2. Visit the participating facilities and have them stamp your stamp sheet in the brochure
3. Choose a gift and apply

Please note that the number of stamps you can earn varies by facility.

• Entry to paid art facilities... 2 points
• Entry to free art facilities... 1 point
• Purchase of sweets... 1 point

You must visit at least one art facility and one sweets shop.

The prizes are luxurious. Items related to art are prepared.

• A Prize: Pair accommodation voucher for Kurashiki Ivy Square (including admission to Ohara Museum of Art)... 1 person
• B Prize: Invitation for two to the "Warehouse and Famous Painting Course" at Hakkenkura... 2 people
• C Prize: Set of 5 postcards from Ohara Museum of Art... 30 people
• D Prize: Tatami edge coaster... 50 people

In addition to the stamp rally, there are also gifts available for visiting art facilities. There are three types of original art coasters. They are limited in quantity, so if you want them, it's best to visit early.

For paid art facilities, you can obtain the original coaster by paying the admission fee, and for free art facilities, you can get it by making a purchase of 500 yen or more.

Participate in the unveiling event

Prior to the start of Art de Furatto Kurashiki, an unveiling event for media representatives was held on September 24, 2024 (Tuesday), which I attended.

After an explanation of the event overview by the person in charge, there was a tasting of sweets. Out of the 15 sweet spots in Kurashiki, 5 shops were present. Since the shop owners were also present, I was able to hear their thoughts.

Bunkindo

A Japanese confectionery shop also participated. Bunkindo, known for its Japanese sweets and daifuku inspired by the history of Okayama, offered a strikingly colorful item. The motif is the painting "Belgian Girl in Kimono" by the artist Kojima Torajiro. The painting uses various colors, and it was chosen because it pairs well with the expression in Japanese sweets.

The kimono, with a purple base and red lining, is expressed in nerikiri (a type of Japanese sweet) and is filled with homemade red bean paste. The heart on top is meant to evoke a sense of youthfulness.

The painting of the Belgian girl in a kimono blends Western and Japanese elements. To express this in taste, chopped Belgian chocolate is mixed into the red bean paste. This is a unique technique of a Japanese sweet shop.

cafe "Niwa to Bungaku"

From the old folk house cafe "Niwa to Bungaku," which also has private rooms, an éclair named "A Gift for a Loved One" is offered. It is inspired by the painting "Portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne" by the artist Amedeo Modigliani.

Modigliani is said to have painted many portraits of his wife throughout his life. The shop owner imagined that he continued to paint her because he loved her. The éclair was created with the thought of being something that could be gifted for everyday moments between couples.

Since it is a gift for a wife, or an adult woman, the chestnut is soaked in brandy for a rich flavor. On top of the custard cream, there is chestnut cream, and whipped cream is piped between the chestnuts.

Of course, it's great to eat yourself, but it's also nice to give it to someone special.

PÂTISSERIE Oxalis

PÂTISSERIE Oxalis (パティスリー オクサリス), named after the plant "katabami," opened in October 2022 after relocating from the center of Kurashiki City to Urata, Kurashiki City.

At Art de Furatto Kurashiki, we offer a cake inspired by Camille Pissarro's "The Apple Pickers." The reason for choosing "The Apple Pickers" is that it is a painting that resonates with my sensibility and was inspired by autumn ingredients (apples).

Inside the chocolate sponge cake, there is compote and jelly made with a red-fleshed apple called "Beni no Yume." The top is also garnished with apple compote, allowing you to enjoy the taste of apple from the first bite to the last.

The autumn ingredient, sweet potato, is used in the Mont Blanc. "Sweet potatoes pair well with milk chocolate. I hope you enjoy the food pairing," says the shop staff. This dish also allows you to enjoy the combination of milk chocolate flavor and the cinnamon of the cinnamon cookie.

ROJAN BŌRO

ROJAN BŌRO opened in Kojima in June 2022. It is a café that can be reserved for one group per day.

The cake is inspired by the painting "Sleeping Young Model" by artist Kojima Torajiro. The white dress worn by the model is reflected in the silhouette of the cake.

On top, there is a crystal pom, which resembles a combination of candy apple and dried fruit. This represents the curtain depicted in the painting. When light hits it, it appears transparent.

Despite its simple appearance on the surface, the inside is vibrant with strawberry jelly and pistachio cream.

This cake was made with the thought of "if I were to serve it to Kojima Torajiro." Surely, Kojima Torajiro would love it.

Pâtisserie PIAGET

Pâtisserie PIAGET (hereafter "PIAGET"), located in Kojima, Kurashiki City, offers a product named "Annunciation." As the product name suggests, the painting it is based on is "The Annunciation" by the artist El Greco.

The red color of the cake represents the Virgin Mary, and the yellow represents the robe of the angel Gabriel. The glossy surface is due to a coating for shine and moisture prevention, known as glazing, which is a technique that PIAGET excels in.

The mixture of red and yellow varies from cake to cake. On top, there are angel wings of the angel Gabriel. The overall dark color scheme is also influenced by the painting it is based on.

The inside of the cake features a brownie base with raspberry mousse and mango mousse, expressing warm colors.

Conclusion

Kurashiki City is filled with art. Art de Furatto Kurashiki was born because it has cherished and housed world-renowned masterpieces. I was once again surprised by the number of facilities.

Even for those living a life far from art, there are sweets available, making it a more approachable event. Why not take this opportunity to enjoy it visually and with your taste buds? Be sure to visit the spots and apply for the stamp rally.

Data for Art de Furatto Kurashiki

Name	Art de Furatto Kurashiki
Event Dates	The event will be held from October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) to December 1, 2024 (Sunday)
Location	Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Participation Fee (including tax)	Based on the admission fee of the facilities
Website	Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2024

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