The Dreaming of Things (Aleksandra Kovaleva & Kei Sato - Ibukijima 2022 & 2025)
It's interesting how the same piece of art can speak to you one moment and not at all the other. Almost a year ago, during the Setouchi Triennale 2025, I stumbled upon a small piece of art in Ibukijima's former elementary school that I loved. "Small" might not be the right adjective, as it occupied an entire room, but it was very simple and minimalist.
Sea Garden
As you can see, it was just a diaphanous surface made of several layers of fishing nets covering the entire room, with a single tiny house in the background. It was tiny, but heavy enough to leave a dent in the surface.
The installation was called Sea Garden and was designed by architectural designers Aleksandra Kovaleva and Kei Sato. I found myself enthralled by its simplicity and the surreal landscape it created. A landscape that was both contrasted with and completed by the sea outside the windows.
Now, here is the thing: It wasn't a new artwork at all. While researching my archives and the Triennale's books for this post, I realized I had seen it before, in 2022! It was one half of a pair of art installations called 'The Dreaming of Things'. I simply had no memory of the Sea Garden. I did see it back then – I even took some pictures (they're right here, mixed in with the ones from 2025) – I just didn't remember it.
Why did I like it so much in 2025, yet barely notice it and completely forget about it by 2022? Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe my mood was different? Also, because it's so minimalist, I think it deserves to stand alone to be fully appreciated. As you will see in a few paragraphs, the other half of Dreaming of Things was much less minimalist and probably simply captured all the attention in 2022.
All in all, it's a good thing that the Sea Garden was still on Ibukijima in 2025, because it could finally be fully appreciated and no longer be overshadowed by its other half.
That being said, if you missed it in 2025, I don't know if it will still be there in 2028. We'll see.
Island Garden
And what about the other half of The Dreaming of Things? As you may have already figured out, it was called the Island Garden and it occupied the classroom just before when we visit the former school.
It was made of colorful wire netting, creating an almost maze-like garden dotted with traditional and local objects. It was a wonderful space to see and be in.
I even filmed a small video there:
Although I'm glad I had the opportunity to rediscover and fully appreciate the Sea Garden last year, I'm a little sad that the Island Garden didn't get to stay longer. It also deserved to last longer.
Oh well...
Aleksandra Kovaleva & Kei Sato online:
That's all for today...
As always, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and contacts on your preferred platforms. It would mean the world to me, as would your subscription to the newsletter (it's free, although you can also help me pay the bills if you can afford it).
In this day and age, when you can no longer rely on search engines to be discovered, and when the web is becoming increasingly full of AI slop, it's more important than ever to know that you are read and followed by real humans. This is what still motivates me to write online.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
David
Comments ()