S P O T ／ SPOT-205

Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum

鳥取砂丘 砂の美術館とっとりさきゅう すなのびじゅつかん

The world's first permanent indoor exhibition facility dedicated exclusively to sand sculpture. Beginning as a temporary sand-sculpture event in 2006, the facility was established as a permanent institution in 2012. The program is produced by Katsuhiko Chaen, Japan's only professional sand sculptor, and each year presents a thematic exhibition — 'Sand Sculptures from the World' — for which internationally prominent sand sculptors are invited. Because all works are returned to sand at the conclusion of each exhibition, the transience of the medium is intrinsic to the character of sand sculpture as an art form. The facility stands immediately adjacent to the Tottori Sand Dunes, enabling visitors to combine two distinct sand-landscape experiences.