Kobe Biennale 2015 is open until 23 November in the port city of Kobe, Japan, on the theme of suki (love). Art is exhibited across the city, including the 'Art in a Container' show, using shipping containers, Creative Toys competition, ceramics and Green Art.
Kobe is the city of style where a multitude of artistic forms of expression and values bloom. Come and encounter "suki" at KOBE Biennale 2015.
We are fascinated by the new, the outstanding, the endearing. Curiosity arouses our senses and brings Art Culture to life. As the saying goes, "each to their own", but in each person's preferences (suki na koto) we see the essence of that person's being. "Suki" in Japanese is many words, pronounced the same, but written with many different Chinese characters and with a host of different meanings. Making paper (kami o suki), ploughing the fields (tochi o suki), brushing hair (kami o suki), peeking through a gap (hedate o suki)...People in Japan experience and become close to the various meanings of "suki" during the course of daily life. With combs, hoes, and fences, the dishevelled is put straight, things we do not need are gotten rid of, and the way is cleared: this is suki.
Innovation can thrive through this spirit of cleansing and clearing, and within the created space (suki), free thinking is stimulated in the minds of many individuals. Japan's culture of hospitality also has developed with people's will to respect others' beliefs and opinions, and their willingness on occasion to open up (suki o ataeru) and let others in.
Over the past eight years, the city has hosted four Biennale celebrations. Each time, KOBE Biennale provided more opportunities for people to experience the attractiveness of Art Culture, increased the levels of quality as an arts festival, and placed more emphasis on local lifestyle culture and characteristics, such as diversity and enterprising spirit. As a result, this festival has evolved into a unique Biennale that only Kobe can offer.
