Naoshima 直島 (2)
- Hazel Yuet Shan Wong
- 2017年1月2日
- 讀畢需時 2 分鐘
After wandering around the port, we took the free shuttle provided by the Benesse House, which is exclusive to hotel residents, to the other side of Naoshima - the Honmura area. The main spots to visit are the art houses scattered around and the Ando Musuem. Photography is prohibited in most of the museums.
Due to time restriction, I only had the chance to visit one art house - Minamidera, designed by Tadao Andom, and displaying 'the Backside of the Moon' by James Turrell. The vicinity was once home to five temples and shrines, as well as the ruins of a castle, making it the center of history and culture in Naoshima. The name Minamidera (literally "southern temple") seeks to preserve the idea that the temples which once stood here were an emotional support for the people.
I entered the temple through this alley and turned right to an open space which is all dark inside. The transition from broad daylight outside to an absolute emptiness of light inside made me like a blind person, as if I was walking in the galaxy with no stars. A staff was present and guided me to a bench where I was told to sit down.
As my eyes slowly adapted to the darkness and adjusted, I started to see lights coming out on the wall which is around 10m in front of me. The light became brighter as time goes by and I was instructed to walk towards the glowing wall. Interestingly, now I am able to see the floor clearly and to walk without hesitation. (Appaz the brightness of the light has not changed at all, what's changed is the sensitivity of human eyes)
After that, I moved on to visit the Ando Museum which is 2-minute walk away. No photos but it's a very personal Ando museum, displaying most of his works and the hand-drawn drafts of them. There's also one whole section dedicated to the 'Church of Light', with a model that simulate what could be seen inside the church.
(photo taken when I visited the Church of Light in Summer 2015, around 2pm)
[tbc]
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