In November 2025, as the scorching summer finally gave way to the first signs of Autumn in Osaka, my thoughts drifted back to my last memories of the southern Guangzhou heat – the days I spent at Luohang Art Hill.

Though my stay was brief, I will never forget the opening days surrounded by wonderful artworks and warm-hearted people. The sparkling night of the National Day opening event on October 1. The dance party where everyone joined in with joy. Conversations with villagers and artists on the rooftop bar. For several days, I immersed myself in the gentle atmosphere created by the nostalgic streets and the art that brought together people of all ages – young and old – transcending various boundaries. By a stroke of good fortune, I was able to relive, here in Danzhao Village of Foshan, Guangzhou, the primal landscape of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale that I had once seen a quarter century ago. Art is an intensely personal matter, deeply tied to one’s own inner life. That is precisely why each artist’s individual experience shines with a brilliance incomparable to anything else. And in the simple, nostalgic streets of Luohang, that brilliance glowed in the late-summer sunset. Experiencing this remarkable event – born from the character and outstanding direction of Art Director Xiang Yang – has surely become an unforgettable memory not only for me but for everyone who shared those days, a memory filled with the comfort and warmth of Luohang, a place that felt almost like home.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of Liu Sha, the exceptionally capable manager who supported the project behind the scenes, as well as the presence of Mr. Xiang Yang’s wife, whose kindness and grace provided steady support to the artists.