BIWAKO BIENNALE 2020 “SHINRABANSHO～COSMIC DANCE”
ABOUT BIWAKO BIENNALE
Marked by the start of the 21st century, BIWAKO Biennale began in 2001. The exhibition utilizes venues throughout the old
town of Omihachiman. Omihachiman was built as a castle town by Hidetsugu Toyotomi and is known as the birthplace of the Omi
merchants. Today, several areas of the old town are designated for preservation by the city, including : Shinmachi street,
lined with houses built in Edo period; Nagahara street, the townscape along the Hachiman canal: as well as the grounds of
Himure Hachiman shrine. These sites have been registered by the government as “Omihachiman Hachiman traditional buildings
preservation district”. Dotted throughout the old town many empty, old houses, after falling into disrepair, eventually become
parking lots or new, modern houses. In an effort to save these irreplaceable historic buildings, BIWAKO Biennale attempts
put them to use. We begin by cleaning these long neglected buildings with the help of volunteers comprised of both local
residents and people from across Japan. Then, artists from home and abroad work with each of the spaces to turn them into
works of art. We hope you enjoy experiencing both the artists’ work and how the once neglected and forgotten buildings spring
back to life with a new radiance.
| Organization | NPO ENERGY FIELD |
|---|---|
| Location | around 10 places each of the old town area of Hikone City and Omihachiman City Shiga Prefecture |
| Duration | Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020– Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 |
| Opening hours | 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays) |
| Venue passport ＊【pre-sale】 | Regular2200yen【2000yen】 Students1500yen【1300yen】 Students under junior high schoolFree entrance |
Overview
Established in 2001, “BIWAKO BIENNALE” is celebrating its 9th edition in 2020. The exhibition will be presented at more than
15 venues, most of the buildings from the Edo period (17 – 19th century), including By moving from one venue from to another,
visitors will be able to appreciate works of art while taking a scenic walk in the town of Omihachiman amd Hikone. The theme
of the 9th BIWAKO BIENNALE is “Cosmic Dance”. More than 80 artists and art units from Japan and all over the world will gather
in the towns of Omihachiman and Hikone to highlight the beauty and transience of the fall a period of two months. Animated
by works of the contemporary artists, the long-abandoned buildings from the Edo period will enchant audiences all through
the festival. In harmony with the exhibits these aged houses will regain their dignity, adding spice to the streets of Omihachiman
and Hikone, which are still filled with the traditional atmosphere of the Edo period.
Summary
The art festival, BIWAKO BIENNALE, is conducted by General Director Yoko Nakata with approximately 80 artists and art units
from home and abroad in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Artworks are exhibited in abandoned traditional Japanese houses, which are
repaired and cleaned in collaboration with residents of Hikone City and Omihachiman City, and opened to public
Highlightsof BIWAKO BIENNALE 2020
* Contemporary artworks of about 70 artists from home and abroad are exhibited at one time. * Visitors can enjoy a pleasant
stroll while moving from venue to venue located in the old town area of Hikone City and Omihachiman City. * Night tours will
be conducted several times during the festival period. Artworks take on a different look at night. * Various workshops and
events for kids are conducted by artists during the summer vacation period. * Various performances such as singing, piano
and contemporary dance will also be offered during the festival period.