Ephemeral Bubble by Ma Yansong / MAD | Japan Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival

Ma Yansong/MAD have revealed their latest installation, "Ephemeral Bubble," at the 2024 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. This installation opens a dialogue with the ancient Japanese countryside...

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From the architect: The “Ephemeral Bubble" is integrated into a century-old house in the Murono Village, resembling a bubble being gently blown from the traditional wooden structure. This design adds a temporary, flexible space that mimics the lightness and translucence of breathing air.

The biomorphic design of the bubble draws inspiration from nature, featuring fluid and soft shapes in its form. This concept of bubbles also introduces a playful and interactive space, making the experiential installation ideal for emotive and spiritual exploration. This approach emphasizes the importance of engagement in design.

Inside the bubble, the space feels expansive and undefined, suitable for performances, ceremonies, gatherings, and other events. The installation reflects the surrounding greenery and colors within its white interior, creating an atmosphere of soft light. This fusion of virtual and tangible elements, combining the old and the new, brings new life into the ancient building.

The "Ephemeral Bubble" exists within the traditional village while intentionally appearing without origin, embodying a deliberate "de-symbolization" to infuse new cultural vitality.

The historic house, now known as the China House Huayuan, has been a hub for Chinese artistic expression and cultural exchange since its inauguration in 2016. It continues to serve as a vital link between Chinese and Japanese artistic communities at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival.

"Tunnel of Light" Year 2018

Ma Yansong/MAD Architects created the work ‘Tunnel of Light’ for the 7th Echigo-Tsumari Art Festival in 2018. The ‘Tunnel of Light’ in Kiyotsu Gorge exemplifies simplicity and a profound spiritual experience, blending minimalist design with nature. The 750 meter-long tunnel is a modification of a structure originally built in 1996 to provide access to Chongjin Gorge, one of Japan's three major canyons. The design features three distinct viewing platforms, immersing visitors in natural surroundings, fostering a deep connection with the environment. Since its unveiling, "Tunnel of Light" has drawn a substantial increase in art enthusiasts, helped stimulate local businesses and attracted younger generations back to the region, demonstrating the project's power to inspire both spirituality and economy, becoming one of the festival's signature works.

In 2022, the book "Tunnel of Light," detailing the entire design process of the work, was released globally in both international and Chinese editions. The book is authored by Ma Yansong, with a preface by Furu Kitagawa, director of the Art Festival, and a postscript by architectural critic Fang Zhenning.

Architect: Ma Yansong / MAD Architects
Location: Japan
Year: 2024
Design Team: Ma Yansong, Yosuke Hayano, Dang Qun, Yu Nagasaki, Rozita Kashirtseva, Valentina Olivieri, Hu Jing-Chang
Contractors: Green Sigma Co.,Ltd., Adachi Zoukeisha
Photography: Zhu Yumeng, Osamu Nakamura