The Japan Foundation and National Centre for the Arts will present the first full-scale contemporary art exhibition Breathing Atolls: Japan-Maldives Contemporary Art Exhibition by Japanese and Maldivian artists at The National Art Gallery of the Maldives spanning from March 20 to April 19. Maldives, which consists of approximately 1,200 large and small islands, is well known for its unique beautiful natural environment formed with coral reef called “Atoll” scattering on the blue sea as if it forms a gentle loop. In spite of its beauty, Maldives has been facing danger of becoming submerged due to sea level rise caused by global warming. At this exhibition, participating artists will produce and show works to focus on natural environment, features and cultures in Maldives through installation, video, architecture, photo and drawings. Japanese artists are planning to conduct on-site research in Maldives prior to the exhibition and wholly observe geographic and cultural environment peculiar to Maldives and people’s lifestyles through exchange with the local people. The works will be exhibited at The National Art Gallery of the Maldives and verdant Sultan Park next to the gallery. Even as the artists give play to their individuality, their artworks will be linked by a common theme, the Maldivian environment. One by one, the works will be unique, like individual islands in an atoll. Together, like a fresh art breeze blowing through the Maldives.

Wochi Kochi Magazine carries a report on the talk session of artist Fujiko Nakaya and curator Sachiko Namba.

Breathing Atolls: Japan-Maldives Contemporary Art Exhibition

• 
  Terunobu Fujimori
  Takasugi-an (Too-High Teahouse), 2004

   

• 
  Nakaya Fujiko
  Tales of Ugetsu, Yokohama Triennale 2008, Japan
  Photo: Fujiko Nakaya

   

• 
  Haruka Kojin
  Contact Lens, 2011
  Support: Hermès Japon, SCAI THE BATHHOUSE,
  Nihon Tokushu Kogaku Jushi Co., Ltd. (NTKJ),
  DIY-TOOL.COM Photo: DAICI ANO

   

• 
  Tetsuro Kano,
  Naturplan, 2010
  Installation, dimensions variable,
  Installation view of solo exhibition
  at Yokohama apartment, Japan,
  Courtesy of the artist

   

• 
  Yodogawa-Technique
  Chinu, Uno, 2010,
  Garbage-based sculpture

   

• 
  Ali Nishan (Millzero)
  the flow. Maldives , 2009

   

• 
  Afu(Afzal Shaafiu Hasan)
  Forever , 2012
  24 minutes.
  Sand animation.
  Backing music composed and performed live by Hamy