“Art Hot Spring Town”Due to the declining birthrate and aging population, depopulation in the region is progressing, leading to a decrease in productivity and the deterioration of agricultural land. It is predicted that this situation will worsen in the future. Some towns and villages in Japan face such issues; abandoned elementary schools have been renovated into hotels, and public baths have been transformed into galleries. With the advancement of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are relocating to rural areas, and young people are moving from crowded cities to these regions.
Revitalizing these areas, not only for the elderly but also for young entrepreneurs, artists, and people from abroad, by utilizing vacant houses and land that are easy to purchase can bring about rejuvenation and renewal, which is very exciting! I painted this work while imagining a vibrant future with an artist community in a hot spring town that values both high-tech and old-fashioned elements by renovating an old farmhouse into a museum cafe, inviting artists from around the world.
