As a symbol of the Diatomaceous Earth Art Project to promote diatomaceous earth from Noto in the Ishikawa Prefecture, an earthen dome was built in the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. It is a circular artwork that can be returned to the earth since it has not used cement or resin. In fact, after one and a half months of exhibition, it was circled back to the soil. The dome is made of earthen walls mixed with diatomaceous earth and soil that is painted to cover the bamboo flats and rough walls. Natural light pours in from the top and random openings. The breathing space of natural materials contrasts with the museum’s modern glassy architecture.
The space is named “Diatomite Egg” in the hope that the local diatomaceous earth will be re-evaluated and new opportunities and development for local industries and citizens will emerge due to this project’s influence. The work was performed in a community building style with the participation of Kanazawa’s sakan plasterers, artisan colleges, architecture colleges, children and many other public participants who attended the workshop.
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© Ph. Kanazawa 21century Museum (except different attribution on single image ) / Drawings, Tono Mirai architects
Circulating Art / Community building / Craftsmanship / Earthen walls / Natural materials / Not to bring in, not to take out / Sakan (plasterer) / Sustainability
Category — Art work
Construction Period — September – October 2005
Building Area — 9.8 ㎡
Floor number — 1st floor above ground
Structure — Wood, Takekomai earthen walls
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© Ph. Bleddfa Centre + takeshi noguchi