In order to convey the charm of Kasaoka both inside and outside the city, the Kasaoka Brand Council has taken the lead in the Stone Islands of Kasaoka Project "Shima wo Kanaderu" KASAOKA ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021, which is scheduled to be held from February 11 to 14, 2021.
A pre-event featuring participating artists began on November 14, 2020 (Saturday).
Kitagi-shima Island saw the completion of the third pre-event, "Let's Paint the Singing Bird," on December 3, 2020 (Thursday), where art was created on the wall of a warehouse near Toyoura Port.
The unveiling of the completed artwork took place on December 3, 2020 (Thursday) on Kitagi-shima Island, and we will share the details of the unveiling event.
The information provided is based on the article published in December 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Stone Islands of Kasaoka Project "Shima wo Kanaderu" KASAOKA ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021?
Shima wo Kanaderu is a festival of art and music.
From February 11 to 14, 2021, this tour event will allow participants to enjoy music and art while traveling by ferry around the Kasaoka Islands, experiencing the charm of Kasaoka and fostering a greater love for the area.
The event will feature a collaborative performance by Yano Kiyomi and MAYA MAXX, the unveiling of works by yanokazuki, live performances by local amateur bands, and special band performances by Nakanishi Keizo, Nakamura Koichi, and Miyake Shinji.
The purpose of the Shima wo Kanaderu art festival is to promote the charm of Kasaoka both inside and outside the city and to realize a new style of tourism.
What is the third pre-event "Let's Paint the Singing Bird" by MAYA MAXX?
The main event venue for Shima wo Kanaderu in February 2021 will be Kitagi-shima Island in Kasaoka City.
The artist, illustrator, and picture book author MAYA MAXX will create art to welcome visitors to Kitagi-shima Island, working together with local volunteers in the project "Let's Paint the Singing Bird."
The large artwork painted on the completed wall is not only a commemoration of the 0th Shima wo Kanaderu event but also created with the hope that more people who love Kasaoka will continue to participate in the first, second, and third Shima wo Kanaderu events.
When and where was the singing bird painted?
"Let's Paint the Singing Bird" was created from November 28 (Saturday) to December 3 (Thursday), 2020.
It is said that it was completed on December 2, so the work was finished in just five days.
▼ As the ferry approaches Toyoura Port on Kitagi-shima, a large bird comes into view.
▼ The size of the artwork becomes clear as you approach Toyoura Port!
▼ On December 3 at 11 PM, taken from inside the ship. The artwork has been completed and the scaffolding has been removed.
▼ The large bird was painted on a warehouse next to the complex facility K's LABO at Toyoura Port on Kitagi-shima.
▼ The location of the artwork is the wall of the warehouse of Asano Petroleum!
The artwork measures 26 meters wide and up to 10 meters high, making the red circle visible even from far out at sea.
It's clear that "there is Toyoura Port!" from a glance, making a strong impact.
The unveiling of "Let's Paint the Singing Bird" begins
The unveiling of the Singing Bird painted by MAYA MAXX and the volunteers took place on December 3, 2020 (Thursday) at 3 PM.
The unveiling event was attended by MAYA MAXX, who created the artwork, and yanokazuki, who was working on the artwork at the warehouse near Toyoura Port.
Residents of Kitagi-shima also participated, and the unveiling event began in a friendly atmosphere.
Thoughts on the singing bird
The unveiling event began with a greeting from the Chairman of the Shima wo Kanaderu Executive Committee, Fujii Wahei.
"I don't want this Shima wo Kanaderu event to be a one-time thing with the cooperation of the artists.
I want the citizens of Kasaoka to come together to create the Shima wo Kanaderu event and use it as a stepping stone to invigorate Kasaoka.
In the creation of the Singing Bird, the people of Kitagi-shima also cooperated, so I believe we have made a good start."
This is how Chairman Fujii expressed his thoughts on Shima wo Kanaderu.
MAYA MAXX and the singing bird
MAYA MAXX spoke about the third pre-event "Let's Paint the Singing Bird."
She mentioned that painting the singing bird on the warehouse wall was very challenging.
Since the wall was not flat but made of wavy slate, it was much more difficult than painting on a flat surface.
The meaning of the red circle and the bird
The red circle drawn under the bird represents stone.
Since Kitagi-shima is known as a stone island and a production area for Kitagi granite, MAYA MAXX decided to depict stone in her artwork.
The Kasaoka Islands, including Kitagi-shima, were recognized as a Japan Heritage site in July 2019 under the title "Did you know!? The Eternal Time Flows on the Stone Island - Across the Sea, Building the Foundation of Japan: Setouchi Bisan Islands."
When you stroll around Kitagi-shima, you can see many large stones placed here and there, making it clear that it is indeed a stone island.
The red color of the stones is meant to express energy.
Even from far away at the port, the round red stones are easily visible.
▼ The bird above the red stone is imagined as a large bird that protects everyone, gently descending from the sky.
The red stone part was completed together with the volunteers and the people of Kitagi-shima.
Since the place where the stones were painted was also made of wavy slate, it was difficult to paint, and everyone struggled, so it would be appreciated if people could remember that effort when viewing the artwork, as MAYA MAXX mentioned.
While she noted the current difficulties faced by Kasaoka City and the Kasaoka Islands, comparing them to the situation in her hometown of Imabari, what she said at the end left a strong impression.
"Kasaoka is tough, but the islands are tough too.
But you know, once you come in, I made it so that it brightens up!"
Handprints on the warehouse door under the artwork
Before participating in the unveiling event, after disinfection, temperature checks, and writing down contact information, rubber gloves for the right hand were distributed for some reason.
"Please wear them on your right hand," said a staff member, but I wondered what these gloves were for.
Only for the right hand.
The answer was revealed after the greeting from the president of Asano Petroleum Co., Ltd., Ryuu Asano, who provided the location for painting the singing bird.
The meaning of the gloves was disclosed by the chairman of the Kasaoka Brand Council, Wakada Masaki.
"The artwork is 90% complete.
The rest is for everyone to participate in the Shima wo Kanaderu event, so I would like everyone here to leave their handprints!"
These gloves were for leaving handprints with paint on the door of the warehouse under the artwork.
▼ First, from MAYA MAXX.
▼ After that, the participants leave their handprints.
▼ The participating artist yanokazuki also smiled as he left his handprint.
▼Many participants' handprints are lined up.
▼Participants are likely to search for their own handprints every time they come here.
These handprints are filled with the desire to continue holding events together!
At the end of the unveiling event, balloons are released into the sky
With the handprints successfully completed, the unveiling event is drawing to a close.
Finally, after a greeting from Tetsuya Narumoto, the president of Kasaoka Chamber of Commerce, everyone wished for the success of the Shima wo Kanaderu event and released balloons into the sky.
▼Balloons are handed out.
▼Many residents of Kitagi-shima Island also participated.
▼Wishing for the success of the Shima wo Kanaderu event, balloons are released into the sky!
The third pre-event at the main venue, Kitagi-shima, concluded warmly
The third pre-event, "Let's Draw the Bird," which lasted about an hour, saw the completion of the bird that plays music, thanks to the cooperation of many people.
▼On the day of the unveiling event, December 3, our Bingo Tocotoco reporting team arrived at Kitagi-shima by ferry arriving at Toyoura Port at 11 AM.
▼After talking with everyone at K’s LABO and Kasaoka Island Development Marine Company, we walked along the coastline, capturing the scenery for the first time.
During the day, the temperature rose, and it was warm enough to sweat while walking, but as the time for the unveiling event approached, the temperature began to drop.
By the time the unveiling event started at 3 PM, the wind had become cold.
However, the venue for the unveiling event was filled with the enthusiasm of the organizing committee members.
It was an unveiling event that conveyed the desire not to end the Shima wo Kanaderu event with just this one time, the wishes that MAYA MAXX poured into the work, and the warm gazes of the citizens of Kasaoka and the islanders supporting it.
Just before we boarded the boat to return, MAYA MAXX said
“It’s tough, but let’s do our best! Be careful with everything!”
The words she waved at us with a big hand felt warm and powerful.
The main event, the tour that plays the island, will be held from February 11 to 14, 2021.
Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, the fourth pre-event, Kiyomi Yano's Invincible Project, scheduled for December 12 to 14 in the Kasaoka Islands, has unfortunately been canceled.
The first pre-event, Yano's Invincible Project, was successfully held in Kasaoka City from November 14 to 16, and the fourth Invincible Project was planned to be held in the Kasaoka Islands.
I hope that during the main event in February, the wishes of all involved will be conveyed, and the tour that plays the island will be held.
Stone Islands of Kasaoka Project "Shima wo Kanaderu" KASAOKA ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 Information
| Name | Stone Islands of Kasaoka Project "Shima wo Kanaderu" KASAOKA ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 |
|---|---|
| Date | Shima wo Kanaderu Pre-Event From November 14, 2020 (Saturday) to December 14, 2020 (Monday). (*The pre-event by Kiyomi Yano from December 12 to 14 was canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection) Shima wo Kanaderu Main Event "Island Sound Tour" From February 11, 2021 (Thursday) to February 14, 2021 (Sunday) |
| Location | Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, Kasaoka Islands (Taka Island, Shiraishi-jima Island, Manabe Island, Tobishima Island, Rokushima, Kitagi-shima Island) |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Please check the official website for participation fees for each event |
| Homepage | Shima wo Kanaderu KASAOKA ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 |
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