13 Comments

Great post. Will be featuring in my newsletter this week!

I visited Naoshima more than a decade ago now. Do they still have the dilapidated James Bond museum/attic? It was the most charming part of my visit!

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Thank you for reading and for your kind words! I didn't see the attic you mentioned or didn't recognize it as such. I'm sure a lot has changed in ten years. If possible, I'll return in 2028 for the Triennale (the next one is scheduled for next year).

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It was an attic filled with mediocre James Bond memorabilia, based on that fact that one of the non-Fleming spin-off novels was set on Naoshima!

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During my visit of summer 2017, I saw the photograph on the cliff from afar, and curious about it, I made a reckless climb the steep rocks up to see what it was. It wasn't until I got the to the museum later that I understood its meaning. A fun memory. Do they allow photography inside the museums now? When I went it was heavily restricted, and they handed out mini sketchpads and pencils for visitors to record their impressions.

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That would be a reckless climb indeed, but a fun story to tell. And, yes, they allow photographs in the Benesse House now. It's still strictly prohibited in the Chichu Art Museum. Which made it of course irresistible to most people there.

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thanks for that vicarious experience, what a great idea !

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Thanks for your comment and for sharing this post, Jaap!

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Starkly beautiful.

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Thank you, Jeanine!

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Fascinating. I would love to go back to Japan someday and exore places like that. And, oh my, if my husband and I weren't just starting the nomadic chapter of our lives, we might be interested in reclaiming an old building and repurposing it for art and the creation of art. We loved the reclaimed buildings and street murals in the back alleys of old town Ipoh, Malaysia.

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Thank you, Sherry! I loved the murals in Ipoh, too. We took so many photos. You remind me I should write about that one day as well—thanks!

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When were you in Ipoh? We were there twice in late December 2023, bookending a visit to the Cameron Highlands, before spending New Year's on Langkawi. It would be cool to see your photos and read your write-up! I look forward to it. I love finding others who can find beauty in a back alley or an old shop house turned into something quirky and new.

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We were there in January or February 2023. I would add a photo to this reply but it seems I cannot do that on the phone app. How was Langkawi? We only made it to Penang where we had the most amazing food experiences.

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