new work Introduction at SoKo museum: Yukihisa Isobe "Kiyotsugawa River was once flowing here"

When you get closer to SoKo, you will see the yellow poles with flags ranging stand on the school ground. This work which let you feel the genealogy from his another work in 2000 “Where has the river gone?” visualized the basin which ever existed of the Kiyotsugawa river according to the title.

“Kiyotsugawa River was once flowing here”


The idea of this work was proposed by Isobe when our curating team was considering creating something that is used as a sign or a landmark on this large school ground.
He paid his attention to the river which flowed through the backside of SoKo. This river which is a branch of the Shinano River forms Kiyotsukyo valley, counted among one of the Japan's three biggest ravines.

Kiyotsugawa river, floating backside of SoKo museum


Isobe surmised that Kiyotsugawa river once flew through the backyard of SoKo from topographic maps as well as present situation around the riverside and visualized by dotting its former spur by yellow poles.

plan drawing

plan drawing

plan drawing


When you take such a story into consideration and watch this work, we bet you would feel the romance of the river flow, taking extraordinary time and changing the earth…
By the way, this is not known very much, but, as for this work, the LED of the bit of the flag is lighted up every night. I recommend watching this work after the sunset too. It’s so romantic huh?

night view of “Kiyotsugawa River was once flowing here”

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 is held through September 17.
We appreciate your visit to the SoKo Museum.

Art Triennnale 2018 Passport is now available at ART FRONT GALLERY.
ART FRONT GALLERY also treats Yukihisa Isobe's rare works in 60s.

ART FRONT GALLERY official website