For the past decade, artist Hiroshi Sugimoto has been working on arguably the biggest project of his career: the Enoura Observatory in Odawara, Japan.
Summer Solstice Observation Gallery —
For the past decade, artist Hiroshi Sugimoto has been working on arguably the biggest project of his career: the Enoura Observatory in Odawara, Japan.
© Odawara Art Foundation
Set across 60,000 square meters of land, the Enoura Observatory is a performance space, gallery and art installation in its own right.
Winter Solstice Observation Tunnel and Optical Glass Stage —
Set across 60,000 square meters of land, the Enoura Observatory is a performance space, gallery and art installation in its own right.
© Odawara Art Foundation
"It is a combination of art and architecture," Sugimoto says of the space. "(It was) purposefully placed to face directly south. So, on midsummer (day), the sun comes up from the ocean... and then light goes (straight down into) this 100-meter gallery."
Winter Solstice Observation Tunnel —
"It is a combination of art and architecture," Sugimoto says of the space. "(It was) purposefully placed to face directly south. So, on midsummer (day), the sun comes up from the ocean... and then light goes (straight down into) this 100-meter gallery."
© Odawara Art Foundation
Sugimoto used the same precision to design other areas of the Observatory. During winter solstice, the rising sun can be seen centered at the end of a long metal tunnel. And the path to a stone stage is perfectly lit by the spring and autumn equinoxes.
Meigetsu Gate —
Sugimoto used the same precision to design other areas of the Observatory. During winter solstice, the rising sun can be seen centered at the end of a long metal tunnel. And the path to a stone stage is perfectly lit by the spring and autumn equinoxes.
© Odawara Art Foundation
"I want people to be relaxed and feel the nature -- touch the nature -- here," he says.
Komatsu Stones —
"I want people to be relaxed and feel the nature -- touch the nature -- here," he says.
© Odawara Art Foundation
Sugimoto's "Seascapes" photographs hang in a long, glass hallway that leads visitors to a balcony overlooking the Bay of Sagami.
Seascape, Sea of Japan, Oki (1987 / gelatin silver print) by Hiroshi Sugimoto —
Sugimoto's "Seascapes" photographs hang in a long, glass hallway that leads visitors to a balcony overlooking the Bay of Sagami.
© Courtesy of Gallery Koyanagi