Japanese biennials and triennials as art festivals embracing Chiiki āto

This chapter maps Japanese biennials and triennials—or art festivals—since 2000, framing them as historically and locally rooted practices. It explores how chiiki āto (community-based art) has become an integral part of these events and examines the discourses that have developed around it. Taking the Setouchi Triennale as a case study, the chapter demonstrates how chiiki āto can take shape as a collaborative endeavor involving multiple stakeholders. While tensions between artistic autonomy, corporate interests, and community engagement have sparked debate, the Setouchi case highlights the potential for building long-term relationships between artists and local communities, and for fostering reciprocal connections between art and place.