Akakabocha
Kagawa Prefecture · Japan
Red pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Miyanoura Port of Naoshima. As you step off the ferry, you are immediately greeted by one of the most iconic sights in contemporary art: Yayoi Kusama’s 'Akakabocha,' or the Red Pumpkin. …
Listen in the app2The External Form — Dots and Geometry
Standing before the Red Pumpkin, one is struck by its sheer scale and the intensity of its color. The vibrant red is a stark contrast to the deep blue of the Seto Inland Sea and the grey asphalt of the ferry terminal. …
Listen in the app3Internal Space — The View from Within
One of the unique features of the Red Pumpkin is that it is hollow, allowing you to enter its interior. Step inside and notice how the light changes. …
Listen in the app4The Artist's Obsession — Why Pumpkins?
To understand the Red Pumpkin, we must understand Yayoi Kusama’s lifelong fascination with this vegetable. Born in Matsumoto, Japan, in 1929, Kusama grew up in a family that owned a seed nursery. …
Listen in the app5Dialogue with the Sea — Site-Specific Context
The placement of the Red Pumpkin at the very edge of the pier is a crucial aspect of its identity. It exists in a state of constant dialogue with the Seto Inland Sea. …
Listen in the app6Engineering the Dream — Materiality and Maintenance
From a technical perspective, the Red Pumpkin is a feat of modern engineering. Because it is located so close to the saltwater and is subject to intense UV exposure and frequent physical contact, it requires meticulous…
Listen in the app7The Gateway Effect — Departing Miyanoura
As we conclude our time at the Red Pumpkin, consider its role as a 'gateway.' For many, this is the first and last piece of art they see on Naoshima. It sets a precedent for the rest of the island: that art here is not just for…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our scholarly journey at the Red Pumpkin comes to an end, but its vibrant image will likely stay with you throughout your stay on Naoshima. We have explored its form, its internal spaces, its historical roots in Kusama’s psyche,…
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What is Akakabocha?
Akakabocha is a place in Kagawa Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kagawa Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.4560, 133.9738 |
| Last updated |
