Art Aquarium

After returning from Hong Kong, Kohei and I made a visit to the Art Aquarium on the 9^th floor of Hakata Station. The exhibition was only running for a short time, and it’s the first time it’s returned to Fukuoka in two years. The aquatic exhibition, created by artist Kimura Hidetomo, is based around 和, meaning both peace and Japan, along with the culture surrounding goldfish (kingyo) in Japan that has been around since the Edo period. 

Andonrium - small tanks covered in lace, creating shadows designed to enhance the natural beauty of the goldfish inside. These are based on andon, a lamp made from paper stretched over a bamboo, wood or metal frame; most commonly in a box shape with an inner stand for a small light.

Bonborium – tanks modelled on the traditional Japanese paper lanterns, bonbori, most commonly seen out in the open.

Super Oiran – undoubtedly the most impressive tank and focal point of the entire exhibition. Holding 3,000 goldfish, it was created to commemorate the 10^th anniversary. 

Temaririum – spherical tanks designed to mimic the traditional toy temari. Each was wrapped with colourful patterns of the braiding craft iga-kumihimo, which is an iconic characteristic of temari.

Prisrium F.12 and F.18 – two large 12 and 18 sided polyhedron tanks resembling diamonds. Each allowed the fish to be seen as sometimes big, small or even crooked, with light slowly diffusing around them. 

Show of Kingyo – Currently main stream aquarium tanks are viewed from the side, but traditionally kingyo was looked at from above. The lack of air bubbles or waves on the surface of the water enhanced the ability for people to appreciate the beauty of the fish inside the circular tank.

Kutani Goldfish Exhibition – the first appearance of this installation in Kyushu. Fish swam inside traditional Kutani porcelain which was adorned with goldfish designs, using the three foundational techniques of the art form: Kutani blue, akae red and hanatsue pink.

 

Kirikorium – cut glass technology, Edo-kiriko, combined with the modern craftwork of acrylic.

Tokogake Goldfish Ornament – an aquarium designed to imitate a hanging scroll. Black goldfish swam across the painting, alongside projections flowing with the movements and likenesses of the living goldfish. The inspiration comes from the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic, describing beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent and incomplete”.

Tamaterium – inspired by the folk tale Urashima Taro, in which a fisherman receives a parting gift in the form of a tamatebako (jewelled box) from a mistress of the sea. The luxury tank is decorated using gold leaf foil techniques in 24 karat gold.

The goldfish are used as performers in a sense, and this combined with music, lighting, projections and abstract tank designs, creates a truly unique exhibition unlike any I’ve experienced before. Each area differs slightly in its design, and goldfish varieties are in abundance. 

Despite going on probably the busiest weekend of the year, it had such a magical atmosphere. In the evening, the exhibition transformed into a Night Aquarium, a more adult setting providing cocktails and live music performances; something I hope to experience if the Art Aquarium returns to Kyushu in the future.