The end of the Spring Season is fast approaching, and the response has been impressive. Despite a few patches of bad weather, visitors have flocked to the Triennale.

Yesterday I dropped by the Koebitai volunteer meeting at 7 in the morning and then headed off to Teshima to watch “The Mermaid” featuring Kaho Minami and Shuji Onodera (Company Derashinera) on a beach near Ieura Port. Various objects lay scattered on the shore and four people sat around a table, talking, arguing, making a commotion. A woman dressed in blue appeared, and the play began with sea as the stage, stretching all the way to Okayama.

The composition of this piece is superb. Six performers move with sprightly grace, dancers play the drums with deft control, and the selection of music suits the content perfectly. The hour-long performance concludes with the performers walking into the sea.
As I watched the performance unfold against the expanse of the Seto Inland Sea, its waves lapping the shore slowly and gently, I was somehow reminded of Visconti’s Death in Venice. I recalled the Biennale, which has been held for so many years in that culturally rich land on the sea of Venice, and suddenly was struck by the thought that the Setouchi region allows for a much more relaxed and generous festival. Whereas the sea on which the Venice Biennale is set is confined and closed, the Seto Inland Sea here is so open. We can cross from island to island and see the islanders as an integral part of the land and sea.

These were some of the thoughts inspired by “The Little Mermaid”. You still have a chance to see it during this season, today on Ogijima (Sat. April 20) and tomorrow on Megijima (Sun. April 21). Sunday will mark the end of the Spring Season, so if you haven’t done so yet, purchase a 3 Season Passport and come and experience Setouchi.