We want to gather everyone's strength to create this artwork.
It's totally fine if you can only do a little, or even if you're not sure what you can do.
I believe that the sparkle created by everyone's combined efforts holds the key to reconnecting with nature,
the power to strengthen the bonds between people's hearts,
and hints for the coexistence and peace of all living things.
Connected by the bond between bamboo and pandas,
the relationships we've built by continuously creating bamboo lights
with all the staff at Adventure World
and everyone who came to visit,
have now created an opportunity for a collaboration
with world-renowned artist, Mr. Wang.
This big challenge will go beyond the boundaries of Adventure World,
beyond the Shirahama region,
and become a catalyst for connections with friends around the world.
Beyond the hill where light and glow, the different sparkles of day and night, meet,
is a place where all living things 'sparkle'.
That place is where everyone's smiles are.
Panda Bamboo Art Project 2024 Executive Committee Chairman
Chikao Ikeda (CHIKAKEN)
A giant bamboo art piece made with 5,000 bamboo stalks for Wakayama Adventure World's "PANDA LOVE"!
We plan and hold 'Let's Enjoy Together!' events with participants, covering art, entertainment, education, and local culture!
In 2023, Taiwanese artist Wang, Wen-Chih was invited to Adventure World and created the piece 'Love of 'Cai-Hin''. While working, he saw many families playing and got the idea for his work 'Glimmering Hill'. The combination of large and small bamboo structures is inspired by the rolling mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, symbolizing the 'connection' between two hills, big and small. This represents the connection between Adventure World and Wakayama Prefecture as two places and cultures, and also how pathways connect humans and nature. This 'connection' concept means that humans and animals pass on life across generations. Just as nature nurtures us, nature also passes on life from generation to generation. Wang, Wen-Chih chose bamboo as the material for his work, aiming to invite visitors into the mountains and forests to feel nature's compassion. 'Glimmering' symbolizes deep gratitude and hope, wishing to light up people's love for nature worldwide. Even if our individual thoughts are small, when they come together, they can elevate and illuminate Wakayama, Japan, and the global environment. This time, to convey gratitude and respect for nature and mountains, and to express people's wonder for nature, we decided to collaborate with the CHIKAKEN team, who create 'bamboo lights'.
Visitors can walk around inside this 'Glimmering Hill' artwork. During the day, they'll experience awe and spirituality for nature in a space where light and shadow change. At night, they'll experience the starry sky, light, and reflections within the magical space created by the bamboo lights.
Day and night, in different atmospheres, you can feel new hope, surging emotions,
and the infinite possibilities that nurture life.
Artist: Wang, Wen-Chih (王文志)
Born in Taiwan in 1959, he's famous for creating huge bamboo structures. He's been showcasing his work all over the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. He also has strong ties to the Setouchi Triennale.
CHIKAKEN is a unit formed by 'Chika' and 'Ken' who met at Sojo University. In April 2007, they founded 'CHIKAKEN,' a production company specializing in 'bamboo lights,' based on the concept of 'festival-style town development.' From their base in Kumamoto, they light up 'bamboo lights' all over Japan, continuously creating unique 'sceneries' and 'stories' for each location.
The two main concepts, 'coexistence' and 'enjoying together,' show how nature and humans interact and exist together. We focus on public and social aspects, highlighting the interaction between the artwork's environment and its audience. Bamboo is an incredibly vibrant and fast-growing plant that can be renewed almost endlessly, making it a truly sustainable material. It's a special bridge that connects the big challenges of human society (which often relies on mass consumption) with the crucial need to protect our natural environment.
(Excerpt from Wang, Wen-Chih's concept)
Volunteer Agreement
■ Sourcing 5,000 bamboo stalks
■ Collaborating with Wang, Wen-Chih to create
the world's largest art piece
■ Collaborating with CHIKAKEN to create
bamboo lights
■ Planning and holding events
after the art is completed
