The first post in what I hope to be a series from my recent trip to Japan.
I hope for this series to be available as a guide to a few places to visit and a few things to do! (though it is very far from a complete list!)
First I would like to share with you my visit to the Kyoto Garden of Fine Arts, by the master of concrete, Tadao Ando.
Personally, Ando’s work has been an amazing influence, such refined works from a man who had previously worked as a truck driver, a boxer and had no formal training.
You will more often than not hear Ando recognised for his use of concrete, a work of fine craftsmanship.
The Garden of Fine Art situated North of Japan’s traditional capital Kyoto and not far from the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens, is an ‘open air gallery.’ Though perhaps the words ‘garden’ and even ‘gallery’ are open to interpretation?
The garden’s classical works have been recreated on large weatherproof ceramic plates in a modern concrete ‘garden.’
Though the real interest for me was held in the minimalist concrete walkways and walls rather than the works themselves.
The garden, completed in 1990 uses modern materials of concrete and glass yet holds traditional works of art, and also responds to the serenity of a traditional Japanese garden. Two concrete ramps intertwine their way down into the lower parts of the garden, taking the visitor on a journey through large concrete volumes that serve as separating the space, creating voids whilst also serving as a surface for the works themselves.
Another main feature of the garden is the horizontal and vertical walls and pools of water that flow from the top most level down through the garden whilst the constant sound of falling water serves as soft background ambience.
The Main Entrance (and you can just see Monet’s water lillies under the surface.)
Window looking outside the garden
There are many water features that run horizontally, vertically, horizontally again like a maze through the garden, and also add a gentle background noise when walking through.
An intersection of elements that span through the entire building. (and a hint of the works contained.)
And a Detail of the same intersection.
In, looking out, this shot also shows the looping path that winds its way down to the bottom of the open garden.
Another shot of the ramp continuing down, you can see the element that goes through the wall (top right, and center)
A shot of the different levels and voids.
Openings revealing the works on the wall behind them.
Abrupt intersection and viewing point.
And Looking back, a good demonstration of the shear volumes dividing the space.
Another shot of the horizontal water and the path. Also hints of the botanical gardens behind.
Some photos of the recreated works themselves.
Garden of Fine Arts (Kyoto Fruits Toban Meiga no Niwa)
Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823. Tel. 075-724-2188
Hrs. 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30). Closed Dec. 28- Jan 4.
100 yen (50 yen in case of combination ticket with Kyoto Botanical Garden)
The fastest way to get here from Kyoto Station or Hankyu Karasuma is to take the subway to Kitayama Station.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Good day I am so delighted I found your blog page, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome work.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
This web site certainly has all of the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Normally I do not learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Does your dog need the pet sitter’s consideration?
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your site in internet explorer, could test this… IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a big element of people will leave out your fantastic writing because of this problem.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any points for rookie blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
I together with my friends have already been looking at the excellent tips and hints found on your site while then developed a terrible feeling I had not thanked the site owner for those tips. All of the men are actually totally excited to read all of them and have in effect certainly been having fun with them. We appreciate you getting so considerate and then for opting for these kinds of helpful guides millions of individuals are really desperate to be informed on. Our honest regret for not saying thanks to you earlier.
Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.
At this time it appears like WordPress is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
As soon as I found this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Hello! I’ve been following your website for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the excellent work!
Hi exceptional blog! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work? I’ve absolutely no understanding of computer programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject nevertheless I just wanted to ask. Kudos!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later.
Many thanks
Oil tank elimination in NY or CT doesn’t take long.
I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
Tow Truck & Wrecker Towing Service Acres Properties TX.
Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. Many thanks
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Right now it appears like Expression Engine is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
I’m not sure why but this blog is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Hey there terrific website! Does running a blog similar to this require a great deal of work? I’ve virtually no expertise in programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyways, if you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject nevertheless I simply needed to ask. Thanks!
Usually I don’t learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very great article.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I simply could not go away your site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person supply on your visitors? Is gonna be back continuously to investigate cross-check new posts.
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, let alone the
content!
I and also my buddies happened to be reading the great thoughts from your website and then unexpectedly came up with a terrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for them. Most of the ladies were for that reason joyful to see all of them and already have surely been loving these things. Thank you for simply being so helpful and then for utilizing this kind of terrific tips most people are really desirous to be informed on. My personal sincere regret for not expressing appreciation to earlier.
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for putting up.
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Appreciate it
I really like your writing style, great info, appreciate it for putting up :D. “The superfluous is very necessary.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Chopping stair stringers is much like rafters.
Which one is one of the best whole home water filter?.
Perfectly indited subject material , thanks for selective information .
I went over this website and I think you have a lot of wonderful info, saved to my bookmarks (:.
I’m commenting to make you understand what a outstanding encounter my girl obtained reading your blog. She came to understand several details, including what it’s like to have a great giving nature to make folks without hassle understand specified very confusing matters. You undoubtedly surpassed my expected results. Thank you for imparting these helpful, trusted, educational and in addition fun thoughts on this topic to Gloria.
Wonderful website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your effort!
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you
Tow Truck & Wrecker Towing Service Houston TX.
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and excellent style and design.
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested. Thanks!
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?