About the artwork

The long history of Echigo-Tsumari has been a struggle with the forces of nature, while also being a story of embracing its blessings and abundance. When the general director, Kitagawa Fram sought advice on the concept of the ETAT, the artist Isobe Yukihisa contributed to the establishment of its fundamental vision by providing an “Ecological Planning for the Echigo-Tsumari Region,” which emphasized a deep connection with the local community. The triennale began with Where Has the River Gone? in 2000, a work created based on this plan. Where did the inspiration for Where Has the River Gone? originate? How has the ETAT, which explores wind, water, land, and socio-cultural elements as regional resources, evolved, and where is it headed? This exhibition presents an overview of Isobe’s works and projects since the 1960s, along with key social events of their times, in a flowchart titled And Then It Had Already Begun, offering a broad historical perspective.