Kobe’s famous modern art festival, “ROKKO MEETS ART” takes place annually on the top of Mt. Rokko and this year the festival successfully reached its 15th anniversary. In this milestone year, the name of this event was upgraded to include “KOBE”, an important word, at the beginning of the name. The event is now known as “KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART”.
61 great artists (individuals and groups) take part in this festival. The theme of this year’s KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond is “Find new perspectives.”. As the new name and new theme convey, expect to see something absolutely fresh and special!
Today, we will share some of the wonderful art pieces from the festival with you.
Multiple venues are dotted on the Rokko mountain top making it easy for visitors to get to the venues by bus or on foot. Check out the maps and signboards, and make plans to appreciate a variety of artworks as you like.
OFFICIAL GUIDE MAP
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/assets/pdf/RMA2024_map.pdf (Japanese)
61 masterpieces are proudly exhibited in 9 venues this year.
“ROKKO CABLE CAR” Rokko Cable Shita Station is the gateway to Mt. Rokko and the staircase was specially wrapped for this art festival like the photo shown above.
【Rokko Cable】
■Misunderstanding Between Red and Green
Zhou Yiqiao
After going upstairs, huge vividly colored art pieces are welcoming your visit right in front of the platform.
Your expectations for encountering great pieces of art will grow naturally.
Misunderstanding Between Red and Green
Zhou Yiqiao
After going upstairs, huge vividly colored art pieces are welcoming your visit right in front of the platform.
Your expectations for encountering great pieces of art will grow naturally.
▼Venues and access↓
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/english/venue/ (English)
【Mt. Rokko Visitor Center (Memorial Monument)】
■The Tiger Swimming in Annual Rings of Rokko
Tatsuhiro KURAFUJI
Don’t forget to swing by and see a spectacular view from the Memorial Monument! It’s immensely recommended.
【ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM】
This artwork is used as the key visual of KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond.
■Beckoning
Marie IKURA
Various visual effects generated by Mt. Rokko’s beautiful nature are used to complete this art piece. For example, like the photo shown above, dappled sunlight and shadows of trees and leaves, which reflect on the surface of the white clothes, are indispensable elements to create this masterpiece.
■Spend time between two people’s secrets
Ruri TAKAHASHI
Also, check out more art pieces by your feet!
【Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden】
■Persami-Permainan Bersama Kami (Play Together with Us)
Waft Lab
This artwork is entirely filled with plenty of playfulness.
■“Light Island”
-Noctilucent plants “UkarukuPa” Phosphorescence experimental area-
Reiichi NAMATAME
The energy for the illumination lights of the art pieces is accumulated in the daytime, and they illuminate softly after dusk.
【Trail Area】
The trail area was arranged last year, and the area was expanded this year. It’s a unique area where visitors can take delight in artworks while trekking around.
「KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond public offering competition (the grand prize-winning artwork)」
■Request from Wild Boar Village
Masaya MIZUTA
【Rokko Garden Terrace Area】
■New Gnomon：Sundial for Radical Grounds
Rintaro FUSE
Sit back, relax and savor an amazing art piece with a marvelous view from Miharashi Terrace Observation Tower for a while.
【The Chapel of the Wind】
The Chapel of the Wind, which was designed by Japan’s most famed architect Tadao Ando, is used as the exhibition hall and is specially open to the public during this limited occasion.
■Echoes of Crossroads
Aiko MIYANAGA
■HERO
Osamu TAKATA
In addition to the ones that we introduced, many more fantastic artworks are exhibited. Go see and feel the energy from them!
This prolonged hot summer season almost comes to an end, and the long awaited nice and cool autumn season is just right around the corner. It would be the best option to visit Mt. Rokko and indulge in modern art surrounded by autumn’s comfy atmosphere.
◇Official Guide Tour◇
One-day tour to major areas of KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond (by bus and on foot)
Date & Time: September 15th (Sun.) ・29th (Sun.) 9:30 am – 4 pm
Fee: 5,000 yen
https://kpt.jp/plan-01/241172 (Japanese)
Date & Time: October 20th (Sun.) 9:30 am – 4 pm
Fee: 5,000 yen
https://kpt.jp/plan-01/241173 (Japanese)
◇Hikari No Mori (illuminated forest) ~Night Art Walk~◇
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/english/hikarinomori/ (English)
Period: September 21st (Sat.) – November 24th (Sun.) (Only on Saturday, Sunday and national holiday)
▼Related article (Hikari No Mori 2023) ↓
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/2197/ (English)
【KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond】
https://rokkomeetsart.jp/english/ (English)
Period: August 24th (Sat.) – November 24th (Sun.)
▼Related article
ROKKO MEETS ART 2023 beyond
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/2185/
ROKKO MEETS ART 2022
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/1586/
ROKKO MEETS ART 2021
https://kobe-rokko.jp/en/events/1155/
