Smashing Pumpkin

We went to Naoshima, an island in the inland sea. These islands are being depopulated, and in a laudable move a Japanese publisher decided to try and turn some of the islands into centres for art in order to sustain communities there. Naoshima is the main focus of this, and contains a three large galleries (which include some of Monet's water lillies and a Picasso or two), as well as external installations and houses converted into exhibitions. Sadly the galleries were all quite expensive, so we mainly walked around looking at the outdoor stuff. There was quite a bit to see, but this pumpkin, by Yayoi Kusama, is the most famous and striking. Pickle just seemed a little hungry for art...

Bye Barbara