The "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" Project Executive Committee will construct a new museum in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, for the permanent installation of contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima's work "Sea of Time - TOHOKU."
The "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" project is an art project initiated by artist Tatsuo Miyajima in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. It aims to honor the victims of the disaster, pass on its memory, and create the future of Tohoku in collaboration with the people living in Tohoku and those who care about the region. Conceived in 2015, the project has involved discussions with nearly 3,000 people to create the artwork.
Based on the concepts of "It keeps changing," "It connects with everything," and "It continues forever," Tatsuo Miyajima has consistently expressed themes of life and death, and the eternity of life, using LED number counters. For this project, he is creating the artwork by expanding connections with approximately 3,000 people who have participated in the project and workshops to date.
In the workshops, participants set the speed of LED numbers counting down from "9" to "1" to their desired length. Through the artwork, where 3,000 LEDs, each carrying the thoughts of various people, are installed in a large water basin (a shallow water-filled facility), the aim is to create "time" and "space" for people to quietly contemplate the artwork and reflect on their loved ones and life itself.
Workshop scene
LED gadgets used
Miyajima describes the "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" project as "an artist's reckoning with myself for being powerless in the face of the natural disaster of the Great East Japan Earthquake." Compared to "Sea of Time '98," which has been exhibited at Benesse Art Site Naoshima since 1998, "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" differs significantly in the number of participants, the size of the artwork, and the motivation behind its creation. This largest-ever work by Miyajima was planned for permanent installation in Tohoku from its inception. (Reference: "Sea of Time '98" in Naoshima uses 125 gadgets)
With the construction site finally determined, the project team welcomes architect Tsuyoshi Tane and graphic designer Rikako Nagashima to proceed with the museum construction. Tsuyoshi Tane's architecture, based on the concept of "Archaeology of the Future" which creates buildings from the memories of places, and Rikako Nagashima's design, who has a long-standing relationship with Miyajima and excels at mediating concepts and ideas into visual information, aim to make the museum experience deeper and more memorable for visitors.
Comments from Tsuyoshi Tane and Rikako Nagashima
From Tsuyoshi Tane
"In May 2011, I witnessed the unprecedented devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and even after many subsequent visits, I continued to harbor feelings of helplessness. Last year, when I first visited Tomioka Town after the evacuation order was lifted, I saw children energetically running and shouting at an elementary school. It deeply moved me, making me realize that adults living now need the courage to build a future for them. I believe the 'Sea of Time - TOHOKU' project is about thinking about the future of this place together with the people of Tomioka."
From Rikako Nagashima
"Faced with a problem filled with contradictions, I've pondered it endlessly, yet no answer emerges, and I probably never will find one. However, to present that lack of an answer and the conflict itself, I believe, might serve as a faint yet perceptible warning light against the fleeting moments of daily life, as if the problems, though subtly changing since the disaster, are still present but are slowly being forgotten."
About Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, the planned construction site
A serene and peaceful place nestled between mountains and the sea, located midway between the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plants.
Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, is a small town with a residential population of 2,565 (registered population of 11,338 as of December 1, 2024). It is known for its specialty products such as rice (Ten no Tsubu), sake rice (Fukunoka), and onions (Hamadori original variety "Hama no Kagayaki"). Since ancient times, its abundant marine products have fostered exchange with inland areas and the Edo shogunate. Traditional events such as the cherry blossom festival in the Yonomori district, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot since the Meiji era's tree planting, and the Fire Festival of Futamiyama, continue to thrive.
Tomioka Town is located midway between the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plants, surrounded by mountains on three sides. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the residential area that once stretched from Tomioka Station to the sea was leveled due to tsunami damage and radiation decontamination efforts. However, currently, the same area features vineyards working on town development with wine as a key, serves as a demonstration area for the Innovation Coast Initiative utilizing smart agriculture, and is seeing a gradual increase in new residents, with an art center appearing on the main street. Movements towards the future are emerging throughout the town.
Miyajima, who had decided that the permanent installation location for "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" should be a place with a sea view, encountered the planned construction site by chance through a connection with a Tomioka town official while touring the Pacific coast of Tohoku in search of a suitable location. He recounts that he was drawn to visit and stay, and through interactions with many people, he fell in love with the people and the place, deciding to purchase the land.
The vast planned construction site, totaling approximately 36,744 square meters (about five soccer fields, including land to be acquired), is a beautiful location with a gradual soundscape where the sound of waves gradually becomes audible as one moves from the entrance towards the sea. In discussions with numerous people from Tohoku during workshops, no one spoke ill of the sea, and despite the devastating tsunami, the strong affection of the local people for the sea was palpable. We hope that a space will be created amidst this beautiful nature, where visitors can gaze at the actual Tohoku sea and the quietly sparkling waves of light in "Sea of Time - TOHOKU," and spend their time reflecting on someone dear to them, each in their own way.
View from the planned construction site (Photo: Yuki Iwanami)
About the artwork
Within a 22.5 x 40m water basin, 3,000 LED counter gadgets, each filled with the thoughts of 3,000 people, will glow. This sight might remind some of the gently rippling waves of the Tohoku sea.
Tatsuo Miyajima | "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" Idea Drawing | 2015
Tatsuo Miyajima | "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" [detail] | 2020
About the architecture
Currently, the planned construction site is an empty lot with a view of the sea. The aim is for the museum, housing the permanent installation of "Sea of Time - TOHOKU," to become a place of natural recovery and a gathering point for people.
Model of "Sea of Time - Tohoku" Museum (provisional name) with roof
Model of "Sea of Time - Tohoku" Museum (provisional name) without roof
Name
"Sea of Time - TOHOKU" Museum (provisional name)
Location
Tomioka Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture
Land Area
36,744㎡ (planned)
Design
ATTA – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects
Completion
2027 (planned)
About the Project Team
Shaping the memories of a place and the thoughts of each individual
The project team for the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" Museum (provisional name) includes architect Tsuyoshi Tane, who designs buildings based on "memories of place," and graphic designer Rikako Nagashima, who expresses with delicate originality through her observational eye. Starting from Tatsuo Miyajima's artwork, the aim is to create a space that fosters imagination towards others, cultivates the vitality for life as individuals confront their own existence, serves as a place for inheriting the experience and memory of disaster, and acts as a fitting gateway for visiting contemporary Fukushima, all with two creators of astonishing and rich creativity. Furthermore, the team is comprised of the "Friends of the 'Sea of Time - Tohoku' Museum" Association, formed by local residents who support the "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project, and project director Tae Yoshihara, who has led numerous art projects to date.
Tatsuo Miyajima
Born in 1957. In 1988, he was invited to the New Talent section of the Venice Biennale and gained international recognition for his works using digital numbers. Since then, he has held numerous exhibitions both in Japan and abroad, presenting his works in over 250 locations in 30 countries. In 1990, he stayed in New York at the invitation of ACC. In 1993, he stayed in Paris at the invitation of the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art.
His major works include "Mega Death" (1999 / 2016), "Counter Void" (2003, in the collection of TV Asahi), and "Sea of Time '98" (1998). He also promotes the "Revive Time: Kaki Tree Project" (1995-) which involves children worldwide raising the second-generation saplings of an atomic-bombed persimmon tree. In 1998, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Arts London.
From 2006-2016, he served as Vice President of Tohoku University of Art and Design. From 2012-2016, he served as Vice President of Kyoto University of Art and Design. In 2020, he received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Fine Arts. [Photo: Lisson Gallery Milano]
Mega Death | 1999
Time Waterfall | 2016 | photo: MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG
Tsuyoshi Tane
Architect. Born in Tokyo in 1979. Established ATTA – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects, based in Paris, France. With the concept of "Archaeology of the Future," which creates architecture from the memory of place, numerous projects are underway around the world, primarily in Europe and Japan.
Major works include the "Estonian National Museum," "Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art," "Al Thani Collection Foundation Museum," "Vitra Garden House," and "Imperial Hotel Tokyo New Main Building" (scheduled for completion in 2036). Major awards include Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, French Academy of Architecture New Talent Award, Grand Prix of the Estonian Cultural Endowment, and the 67th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology New Artist Award, among many others. Author of "TSUYOSHI TANE Archaeology of the Future" (TOTO Publishing). [Photo: ©Yoshiaki Tsutsui]
Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects official website | https://at-ta.fr/
Estonian National Museum | 2016 | photo: Takuji Shimmura / image courtesy of DGT.
Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum | 2020 | photo: Daici Ano
Rikako Nagashima
Graphic designer. Born in 1980. Based on graphic design, her activities include identity design, signage planning, book design, and spatial composition. She translates the concept and philosophy of a subject into visual information, giving it color and form.
Her past works include "Sapporo International Art Festival 'City and Nature'" (2014), "Dojima Biennial" (2019), "Tohoku Youth Orchestra" (2016-), "Anish Kapoor: Outline of Collapse" (2017), "David Lynch: The Empire of the Mental Frontier" exhibition (2019), Pola Museum Annex's new VI plan (2020), Venice Architecture Biennale Japanese Pavilion "Traces of Elements" (2021), "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the piano 12122020" (2021), and Kvadrat "Irreversible Scale" (2024). Author of "Before Color and Form" (Murahata Publishing/2024).
village® Official website | https://www.rikako-nagashima.com/
Venice Architecture Biennale Japanese Pavilion "Traces of Elements" | 2021 | photo: Jan Vranovský
Tohoku Youth Orchestra | 2016-
Friends of the "Sea of Time - TOHOKU" Museum
An association established to support this project, imbued with Miyajima's vision, and to achieve the construction of the museum and revitalize the Hamadori area.
Founding members include Kazuyoshi Endo (Representative of YONOMORI BAUM), Hidefumi Endo (Representative Director of Tomioka Wine Domaine General Incorporated Association), Tsuyoshi Owada (Representative Director of Tomioka Plus General Incorporated Association), Dai Fujita (Representative Director of Torifuji Co., Ltd.), and Yoichiro Naka (Representative Director and President of Tohoku Enterprise Co., Ltd.).
Tae Yoshihara
Art Manager / Art Director.
Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Kyoto University of the Arts. Completed Master's program in Creative City Studies at Osaka City University Graduate School. Engaged in the operation of art projects at NPO BEPPU PROJECT. Subsequently worked as a program officer at Arts Council Tokyo, involved in intermediate support for arts and culture, and became independent in April 2022. Currently active as Project Director for Tatsuo Miyajima's "Sea of Time - Tohoku" project, part-time lecturer at Joshibi University of Art and Design, and project manager for "Metote Lab."
Contact
General inquiries
"Sea of Time - TOHOKU" Project Executive Committee (within Tatsuo Miyajima Office Co., Ltd.)
TEL: 0297-21-7650 FAX: 0297-20-6543
MAIL: contact@seaoftime.org
Public relations inquiries
Iroiro Co., Ltd. (Ichikawa, Kumano)
MAIL: press@iroiroiroiro.jp
