Introducing two works of “Umimachi Art” to enjoy with the setting sun! (Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)

「Naetsu Umimachi Art」 is an event held in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, to decorate the town with artworks. Among the various events, we will introduce two artworks to be enjoyed with the setting sun.

Naoetsu Beach is located in the Naoetsu district of Joetsu City, near Funami Park. On the beach is a work of art, “NAOETSU TO NOTO,” consisting of eight logs 1 to 4 meters in length arranged in an arch shape. The work is meant to connect the Noto region, which was severely damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year’s Day, and Joetsu City, which suffered damage from the tsunami, and the work faces Wajima City at sunset.

Sunset on Wednesday, September 4 was at 6:11 p.m. The sun was hidden by clouds until just before, but as it approached the horizon, it appeared. People gathered on the beach to photograph the sunset and the artwork, pointing smartphones and cameras at each other.

Visitors
The last few days, there have been clouds and not a clear day in sight. It has been about eight months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake. I am deeply moved.

For some, the New Year’s Day tsunami washed up on the doorstep of their homes in Minatomachi, Joetsu City.

Visitors
I was trying to escape to higher ground when the tsunami hit. When I think of the sun shining on Wajima, it makes me cry. It must be helping Wajima.

On the beach, there is also a work called “Titanium Window,” in which colored titanium, a specialty of Joetsu City, is installed like a panel. The titanium catches the reflection of the setting sun and changes its color to a different shade than during the day. Visitors can photograph the setting sun in the frame.