Teshima Yokoo Museum Reopens on April 8, 2026, After Renovation Work
Teshima Yokoo Museum, operated by the Fukutake Foundation, reopened on April 8, 2026, after renovation work. Based on the concept of artist Tadanori Yokoo, the exterior of the tower was refreshed to a red brick color, and cypress trees were added to the garden, evolving into a space that more deeply embodies the theme of "life and death."
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The Teshima Yokoo Museum (opened in 2013), operated by the Fukutake Foundation (Chairman: Hideaki Fukutake, Kagawa Prefecture, Naoshima), reopened on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, after maintenance for renovation work that began on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
In this renovation, under the concept of artist Tadanori Yokoo, the symbolic tower was refreshed as an homage to the towers depicted in the paintings of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico, and cypress trees were added to the garden. The space has been refined to more fully embody the artist's pursuit of the theme of "life and death."
Through meticulous renovation, visitors can more deeply experience the museum's theme that the artist wished to express.
Photo: Kensaku Omote
Renovation Details
■ Refreshing the Tower's Exterior
The iconic tower of Teshima Yokoo Museum was refreshed to a red brick color from its original black tiles, bringing it closer to the artist's vision. This tower was conceived as an homage to the paintings of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico and has been in place since the museum's opening. De Chirico was influenced by Arnold Böcklin, who painted "Isle of the Dead," the original inspiration for Teshima Yokoo Museum, and common motifs are often seen in their works. Against this background, Yokoo focused on the deep connection between Böcklin and de Chirico, positioning the symbolic tower of Teshima Yokoo Museum as an homage to de Chirico. By bringing the tower's color closer to the hues depicted in de Chirico's paintings, his concept is more clearly expressed.
From Ieura Port, the gateway to Teshima, visitors can see the newly reborn red brick tower, which will welcome island visitors as an even more symbolic presence of Teshima Yokoo Museum.
■ Changes to the Courtyard and Partial Lighting
In the museum's courtyard ("Garden Installation"), cypress trees, reminiscent of Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead," were added. Cypress trees have long been known as trees symbolizing death and are impressively depicted in Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead." The addition of cypress trees has evolved the space to more deeply convey the museum's theme of "life and death."
Furthermore, by partially changing the lighting in the barn where two paintings are exhibited, the texture and details of the works emerge vividly, creating an environment where visitors can more richly appreciate the details of the artworks.
Photos: Kensaku Omote
This renovation work was carried out with the cooperation of Nagayama Yuko Architects, Inc., Naikai Archit Co., Ltd., Ogino Landscape Design Co., Ltd., and other companies.
Artist's Message
■ Overall Concept and Art: Tadanori Yokoo
Photo: Kazunari Tajima
Teshima Yokoo Museum has been renovated this time. Parts of it remained unfinished at the time of its initial opening. The tower was changed to red brick as an homage to Giorgio de Chirico's paintings. The garden is an homage to Arnold Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead." The river flowing through the garden is a confluence of the Nile River in the Sahara Desert and the Sai no Kawara (riverbed of souls). It tells the story of de Chirico's hymn to life and Böcklin's requiem for death. Countless waterfalls inside the tower flow into the garden as torrents. The cypress trees of the "Isle of the Dead" watch over this scene. The unfinished journey continues, with plans to place a boat heading to the "Isle of the Dead" in the riverbed in the near future.
Tadanori Yokoo
Biography
Contemporary artist. Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1936. Held a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1972. Subsequently invited to exhibit at the world's three major biennials in Paris, Venice, and São Paulo. Held numerous solo exhibitions at museums worldwide, including the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain (Paris), State Museum of Oriental Art (Moscow), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Tokyo National Museum. Tadanori Yokoo Museum of Contemporary Art opened in Kobe in 2012. Inducted into the New York Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2000. Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, and the Asahi Prize in 2011, and the Praemium Imperiale in 2015. Honored as an Honorary Citizen of Tokyo in Reiwa 2 (2020). Recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit and a member of the Japan Art Academy in 2023.
His works are housed in major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the British Museum.
Teshima Islanders' Preview
Photo: Kensaku Omote
Prior to the public opening, a preview limited to Teshima islanders, who daily support art activities on Teshima, was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, attended by approximately 80 people. At the entrance, a message from Tadanori Yokoo to the Teshima islanders was displayed for the renewal and reopening, and materials such as photos and flyers reflecting the museum's production process and past events were exhibited at various locations inside the museum. Furthermore, a special guided tour by staff was conducted, focusing on the highlights of the renovation. Attendees received original museum stickers as novelty gifts.
In this renovation, under the concept of artist Tadanori Yokoo, the symbolic tower was refreshed as an homage to the towers depicted in the paintings of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico, and cypress trees were added to the garden. The space has been refined to more fully embody the artist's pursuit of the theme of "life and death."
Through meticulous renovation, visitors can more deeply experience the museum's theme that the artist wished to express.
Photo: Kensaku Omote
Renovation Details
■ Refreshing the Tower's Exterior
The iconic tower of Teshima Yokoo Museum was refreshed to a red brick color from its original black tiles, bringing it closer to the artist's vision. This tower was conceived as an homage to the paintings of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico and has been in place since the museum's opening. De Chirico was influenced by Arnold Böcklin, who painted "Isle of the Dead," the original inspiration for Teshima Yokoo Museum, and common motifs are often seen in their works. Against this background, Yokoo focused on the deep connection between Böcklin and de Chirico, positioning the symbolic tower of Teshima Yokoo Museum as an homage to de Chirico. By bringing the tower's color closer to the hues depicted in de Chirico's paintings, his concept is more clearly expressed.
From Ieura Port, the gateway to Teshima, visitors can see the newly reborn red brick tower, which will welcome island visitors as an even more symbolic presence of Teshima Yokoo Museum.
■ Changes to the Courtyard and Partial Lighting
In the museum's courtyard ("Garden Installation"), cypress trees, reminiscent of Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead," were added. Cypress trees have long been known as trees symbolizing death and are impressively depicted in Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead." The addition of cypress trees has evolved the space to more deeply convey the museum's theme of "life and death."
Furthermore, by partially changing the lighting in the barn where two paintings are exhibited, the texture and details of the works emerge vividly, creating an environment where visitors can more richly appreciate the details of the artworks.
Photos: Kensaku Omote
This renovation work was carried out with the cooperation of Nagayama Yuko Architects, Inc., Naikai Archit Co., Ltd., Ogino Landscape Design Co., Ltd., and other companies.
Artist's Message
■ Overall Concept and Art: Tadanori Yokoo
Photo: Kazunari Tajima
Teshima Yokoo Museum has been renovated this time. Parts of it remained unfinished at the time of its initial opening. The tower was changed to red brick as an homage to Giorgio de Chirico's paintings. The garden is an homage to Arnold Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead." The river flowing through the garden is a confluence of the Nile River in the Sahara Desert and the Sai no Kawara (riverbed of souls). It tells the story of de Chirico's hymn to life and Böcklin's requiem for death. Countless waterfalls inside the tower flow into the garden as torrents. The cypress trees of the "Isle of the Dead" watch over this scene. The unfinished journey continues, with plans to place a boat heading to the "Isle of the Dead" in the riverbed in the near future.
Tadanori Yokoo
Biography
Contemporary artist. Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1936. Held a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1972. Subsequently invited to exhibit at the world's three major biennials in Paris, Venice, and São Paulo. Held numerous solo exhibitions at museums worldwide, including the Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain (Paris), State Museum of Oriental Art (Moscow), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Tokyo National Museum. Tadanori Yokoo Museum of Contemporary Art opened in Kobe in 2012. Inducted into the New York Art Directors Club Hall of Fame in 2000. Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, and the Asahi Prize in 2011, and the Praemium Imperiale in 2015. Honored as an Honorary Citizen of Tokyo in Reiwa 2 (2020). Recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit and a member of the Japan Art Academy in 2023.
His works are housed in major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the British Museum.
Teshima Islanders' Preview
Photo: Kensaku Omote
Prior to the public opening, a preview limited to Teshima islanders, who daily support art activities on Teshima, was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, attended by approximately 80 people. At the entrance, a message from Tadanori Yokoo to the Teshima islanders was displayed for the renewal and reopening, and materials such as photos and flyers reflecting the museum's production process and past events were exhibited at various locations inside the museum. Furthermore, a special guided tour by staff was conducted, focusing on the highlights of the renovation. Attendees received original museum stickers as novelty gifts.