The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (ETAT) will launch an open call for proposals for its eighth edition to be held in summer 2021.
Inaugurated in 2000, ETAT takes place every three years in the Echigo-Tsumari region (Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town) of Niigata Prefecture, which is known for its heavy snowfall and distinctive satoyama agricultural landscape. Covering 760 square kilometers, the Triennale is the world’s largest international art festival. It is not organized in urban settings but in rural areas, and is recognized as pioneer in regional revitalization with art.
Under the direction of Fram Kitagawa, ETAT has explored the possibility of art as the fundamental catalyst for rejuvenation of the depopulated and aging countryside, and its challenge and success have stimulated and influenced other rural areas, leading to spreading art festivals throughout Japan, including Setouchi Triennale, directed also by Kitagawa, and beyond.
Highlighting the unique charms of the region, ETAT has cultivated local pride and attracted visitors from around the country and around the world. It has forged collaborations among artists, local communities, and outside supporters, and connected people to each other and the land.
With the concept “Human beings are part of nature,” over one thousand artists in total, including the world’s best-known artists and architects, as well as emerging artists from around the world and numerous Japanese artists, have created site-specific works in rice paddies and forests, on riversides and mountainsides, in abandoned houses and closed school buildings. The festival introduces not only art but also local cuisines, cultures and landscapes. Visitors can enjoy an art-guided journey and rediscover their relationship with nature, art, and humanity.
Towards its 2021 edition, ETAT is calling for proposals not only on artworks but also performances, events and others.
Today, as we are facing a turning point of the civilization and global eynvironmental crisis, and the universal ideals of solidarity and collaboration have started collapsing, art is expected to play a more important role than ever.
We look forward to receiving innovative ideas from across the world.
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2021
Venue: Echigo-Tsumari region (Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town), Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Dates: Summer 2021 (about 50 days)
Organizer: Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee
Co-organizer: NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization
General Producer: Soichiro Fukutake
General Director: Fram Kitagawa
Open Call
Deadline for application: June 30, 2020
Submission period: June 15 through June 30, 2020
Inspection tour: May 30, 2020
Judge: Fram Kitagawa, General Director of ETAT
Number of selected proposals: about ten
Award: The selected proposals will be realized as entries at ETAT 2021.
Up to 2,500,000 JPY will be subsidized for production.
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