On March 9–10, Associate Professor Kosuke Iketani, Vice Chair of the Okayama University UNESCO Chair and faculty member of General Education and Global Studies Field, conducted an art exploration program on Naoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea (Kagawa Prefecture) under the theme “Encountering a New Self.” In this inaugural year, eight undergraduate and graduate students, including international students, were selected through a competitive application process to participate as program monitors.

On the first day, participants arrived on the island by ferry and received an introductory briefing from Ms. Ayano Fujiwara, Top Educator at the Fukutake Foundation. After gaining a foundational understanding of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, as well as the island’s history and culture, students toured the permanent exhibitions at the Benesse House Museum and participated in group-based dialogue-style art appreciation. Students viewed several artworks, shared their observations and impressions, and exchanged ideas with one another.

Building on this introductory activity, each participant selected one artwork that resonated with them and presented their own “personal theme” inspired by the piece. After completing this immersive museum experience, the group visited Miyaura Gallery 6, a special exhibition area. Later, participants interacted and deepened connections during their stay at Tsutsujiso.

On the second day, participants visited Valley Gallery, located in a mountainous area, and explored the Honmura district, where art and the townscape are integrated. These experiences provided an opportunity for students to further develop the “personal themes” they had envisioned on the first day. The program concluded with participants presenting reflections on the “new self” they discovered through the two-day experience.

Students shared comments such as, “There is no single correct interpretation of art. I realized the importance of freely feeling and thinking about each piece, which allowed me to reflect on my personality and my relationship with society.” The program provided students with a valuable opportunity to reflect on themselves through art.

Okayama University UNESCO Chair will continue to collaborate with Benesse Art Site Naoshima to develop multicultural co-learning programs that foster understanding of the SDGs and promote the sharing of diverse values through art-based learning.