Across the Seas: The Opening of 'Art Field Nanhai GuangDong 2024

While you may not be aware, the ‘Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale’ has crossed the seas and is now being held in China. The term ‘Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale’ is becoming a common noun and is gradually but steadily beginning to spread.

The official title of the festival is ‘Art at Qiaoshan – Guangdong Nanhai Land Art Festival.’ Held in Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China, the first iteration took place in 2022, followed by the second, which opened on 16 November 2024. Participating artists include prominent figures from Echigo-Tsumari, such as Asai Yusuke, Leandro Erlich, Kurakake Junichi, Tashima Seizo, Rintaro + Yuu Hara, Fujimoto Sou, Matsumoto Akinori, and Matsumoto Michiko. Fram Kitagawa, General Director of ETAT, also serves as an advisor, further reinforcing the deep connection with the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

This connection is no coincidence, as the mastermind behind the festival is Sun Qian and the HUBART team, who transformed one of the abandoned houses in Echigo-Tsumari into the China-Japan cultural exchange base ‘Huayuan (China House).’ Through this initiative, they have fostered connections with numerous Chinese artists, including MAD Architects..’ Held in Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China, the first iteration took place in 2022, followed by the second, which opened on 16 November 2024. Participating artists include prominent figures from Echigo-Tsumari, such as Asai Yusuke, Leandro Erlich, Kurakake Junichi, Tashima Seizo, Rintaro + Yuu Hara, Fujimoto Sou, Matsumoto Akinori, and Matsumoto Michiko. Fram Kitagawa, General Director of ETAT, also serves as an advisor, further reinforcing the deep connection with the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

This connection is no coincidence, as the mastermind behind the festival is Sun Qian and the HUBART team, who transformed one of the abandoned houses in Echigo-Tsumari into the China-Japan cultural exchange base ‘Huayuan (China House).’ Through this initiative, they have fostered connections with numerous Chinese artists, including MAD Architects.

Nanhai District, Foshan City, the venue for Art Field Nanhai Guangdong 2024, is located within the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area, a key hinterland of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. The district covers 1,071.82 km² and has a population of over 3.7 million. It comprises six towns (akin to towns in Japan) and one street.

With a rich history, Nanhai served as a capital during the Qin dynasty and a county seat during the Sui dynasty, and it has been home to many notable figures throughout its past.

Nanhai District is recognised as one of Guangdong Province’s “Four Little Tigers” (*1) due to its strong economic power. The district is home to numerous factories operated by Japanese companies and has consistently ranked second in the “Top 100 Comprehensive Strength of Chinese Medium and Small Cities” in recent years.

With a robust industrial base spanning all sectors, Nanhai boasts sixteen industrial clusters, each with a production value exceeding 20 billion yuan (approximately 42.68 billion yen). Among these, the metal products industry stands out, leading with a production value of over 150 billion yuan (approximately 3.2 trillion yen) (*2)

The The Vision of Art at Qiaoshan – Guangdong Nanhai Land Art Festival is an initiative led by the People’s Government of Nanhai District, Foshan City, serving as a comprehensive showcase of the “China Project of Art Field” (the ETAT project in China). This festival upholds the principles of regionalism, inclusivity, and sustainable development.

With a focus on rural revitalisation, the festival aligns with Guangdong Province’s “Hundred, Thousand, and Ten Thousand Projects” and supports reforms and innovations for urban-rural integration. It also seeks to foster the convergence of cultural tourism and socio-economic development.

The second iteration of “Art Field Nanhai GuangDong 2024” features a total of 95 exhibition projects, presenting not only acclaimed masterpieces from the inaugural festival but also an impressive array of new works. This year’s participants include artists from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Argentina, Ireland, Austria, Australia, Peru, Russia, Germany, France, Cuba, South Korea, Canada, Qatar, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the United States, Mexico, Portugal, Japan, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Singapore, Italy, Iran, Israel, the United Kingdom, and beyond. In total, 165 groups comprising 194 individuals from 30 countries and regions have come together to weave a vibrant and diverse tapestry of art.

Notably, the artists’ community from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area demonstrated exceptional vitality, with 36 groups (comprising 50 artists in total) participating—representing a quarter of all participating artists. This underscores the region’s rich cultural heritage and the transformative power of contemporary art, highlighting the festival’s significant achievements in fostering cultural exchange and collaboration.

The inaugural edition of “Art Field Nanhai GuangDong 2022” attracted over one million visitors. The theme for the 2024 iteration, “Water of Nanhai,” showcases various artists presenting water-themed works, creating an engaging and enjoyable festival experience. Simultaneously, the Echigo-Tsumari region in Japan will hold its winter programme from January to March. Immerse yourself in the distinct allure of both festivals: the watery charm of Nanhai and the snowy landscapes of Tsumari, each offering a unique interpretation of the “ETAT” experience.

Written by Yamaguchi Tomoko, NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organisation