Equipoise is a returning artwork from the original Setouchi Triennale in 2010. It is 10,000 mirror plates that are suspended from the ceiling, created by Harumi Yukutake. I was really impressed by it during the 2013 Setouchi Triennale, when I first saw it, and I am still impressed by it. I’m surprised at how beautiful it still looks and I would imagine they had to clean it very well before the festival. I wonder how they stored it for 3 years or if they just rehang it every 3 years. Either way, it is an artwork that must be seen to appreciate it.
Equipoise
Equipoise
The mirrors are hung inside an old store room and they form a spiral with a curtain of mirrors in the back. There are two sections that you can enter, the main floor and a loft. The first door you enter is the entrance to the main floor. 3 years ago, when I visited this artwork for the first time, I was amazed when I entered this room and in 2016 I was still amazed. I had a lot of trouble getting good photos throughout the artwork but thankfully I had better equipment than in 2013 so my job was slightly easier. The store room is pretty small overall so trying to get a wide angle shot was a big challenge.
Equipoise
Hole in the roof of Equipoise to let light in.
The loft was just as beautiful. You can look down onto the main floor as well as the holes in the wall that allow natural light to enter the store room. I found it harder to get good photos from the loft so enjoying the artwork with my own eyes was best way to enjoy it. No matter what you do, you really just have to step back and enjoy the light that naturally filters through and glistens throughout the room.
View of the hold from the loft of Equipoise.
View from the loft of Equipoise.
I love Equipoise and get excited every time I arrive at this artwork. I do worry that the store room or the mirrors will get too old to be enjoyed but I can only hope that things return Triennale after Triennale. There is something peaceful about this artwork and I was happy to be able to enjoy it all on my own. Having a friend would be great too but the peace and quiet really struck me this time.
Closeup of Equipoise
Closeup of Equipoise
Information
- Equipoise (Official Setouchi Triennale Site)
- Harumi Yukutake (Official Site)
Just like you, I love this artwork, but I have trouble taking good photos of it.
Yours are pretty nice though.
To answer your questions at the beginning of the post, the artwork remains accessible in between Triennales (open every week-end and holidays from late March to early November with other permanent artworks on Megi, Ogi, etc).
They do clean it once in a while though. I’ve only seen pictures, but it doesn’t look easy (they don’t remove it usually, although I think they did once).
What I’m worried about is the building. It looks more and more decrepit every time I see it (last time was last month, it has more holes in it than the last time).
Thanks for the compliment. It was hard but I think I can get better photos this year if I can still get to the festival.
Thanks for the updated info. I wonder if they’d just move it if the building gets too old. It wouldn’t be the same and the artist should be involved, but would be a shame to see it gone forever.