Report: DENKEN WEEK 2025

Nov 17, 2025
2 min read

Thank you very much to everyone who visited the exhibition. It had actually been a while since I last showed Sha-ko-seki, and installing the works in a traditional Japanese tatami room felt incredibly refreshing. The light that entered the space changed throughout the day, revealing different expressions—bright and cheerful on sunny days, gentle and subdued on cloudy ones. While spending quiet time with the stones I have created over the years, I was once again reminded of how beautiful light can be.

Many visitors who return to this event every year have a calm presence and gentle demeanor. They observed these slightly mysterious stones with great care and shared fascinating impressions with me. After my recent exhibitions in Indonesia and Fukuoka, I had stepped away from this series for a while. Thanks to this opportunity, I feel that new ideas have begun to emerge, inspiring me to return to the work. A workshop where participants can create their own Sha-ko-seki might be a wonderful idea for the next edition.

In a time when sustaining local art events can be challenging, I realized why DENKEN WEEK has continued for so long. It is of course supported by the beauty of the historic architecture—but above all, it is made possible by the people involved: those who create, those who support, and those who come to see the work. Their presence reminded me of the very basics of what sustains art.

I sincerely hope that the 10th anniversary in two years will be a vibrant and memorable celebration.

https://youtu.be/aNn9Mjk8QbI?si=InJP9x8o9z9VbfL4

OBI DENKEN WEEK 2025 | Kazutaka Shioi "SHA-KO-SEKI"