Behold the Enormous Straw Sculptures of Japan’s Wara Art Festival

A creative way the community repurposes extra rice straw.

Art
2.5K 3 Comments

Niigata is one of the leading provinces for rice production in Japan. During the harvest period, a surplus of rice straw is produced as a byproduct of this process and in the past, the extra material has been used to create a number of traditional objects and tools, such as sandals. As new technologies replace these practices, Niigata City and Musashino Art University (referred to as Musabi) came up with a creative way to repurpose the rice straw — enlisting the help of its students to create massive animal sculptures for a summertime festival.

This partnership started back in 2006 and resulted in the first Wara Art Festival several years later. The monumental figures reach up to 30 ft high and are created by artisans of the farms, known as the Nishikan Ward, with the help and youthful exuberance of the Musabi students. The sculptures range from common animals seen across the forest to mythological beings found in Japanese folklore.

The Wara Art Festival, like all events during the pandemic, paused in 2020 but is on view now for its 13th year at Uwasekigata Park until October 31.

Elsewhere, Kyoko Hamaguchi has unveiled “Light Time Story” at Milan’s F2T Gallery.

Wara Art Festival
1 Matsunoo, Nishikan Ward,
Niigata, 953-0015, Japan

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

Johnson Tsang and Avant Arte to Release 'The Moment' Wall Sculpture
Art

Johnson Tsang and Avant Arte to Release 'The Moment' Wall Sculpture

Limited to an edition of 250 and available via raffle.

Giant Pigeon Sculpture to Land at the High Line in New York
Art

Giant Pigeon Sculpture to Land at the High Line in New York

Created by Columbian artist Iván Argote.

London’s V&A Museum Retraces the History of Digital Art in New Book
Art

London’s V&A Museum Retraces the History of Digital Art in New Book

From the 1960s to the present.


Brian Eno Announces New Book on the Role of Art
Art

Brian Eno Announces New Book on the Role of Art

‘What Art Does’ explores five decades of unconventional creativity.

Hamilton Reveals In-Game and IRL Far Cry 6 Khaki Field Titanium Automatic Watch
Watches

Hamilton Reveals In-Game and IRL Far Cry 6 Khaki Field Titanium Automatic Watch

Wear the same watch as Far Cry 6 hero Dani Rojas.

Nike Blazer Mid "Sports Specialities" is Revealed in "Vast Grey"
Footwear

Nike Blazer Mid "Sports Specialities" is Revealed in "Vast Grey"

An angelic ode to the snapback hats from the 90s era.

The Saucony Shadow Original 6000 "Pearl" and "OG" Usher In a New Era of Self Expression
Footwear 

The Saucony Shadow Original 6000 "Pearl" and "OG" Usher In a New Era of Self Expression

Presented by Saucony
With the help of Jordan Vickors and Adeline.

Kyoko Hamaguchi Has Unveiled “Light Time Story” at Milan’s F2T Gallery
Art

Kyoko Hamaguchi Has Unveiled “Light Time Story” at Milan’s F2T Gallery

Her first solo exhibition in Italy.

Nike Unveils Its Newest BE-DO-WIN Lifestyle Silhouette
Footwear

Nike Unveils Its Newest BE-DO-WIN Lifestyle Silhouette

The sustainable model features retro-inspired uppers and thick crepe midsoles.


Amazon Reveals New Kindle Paperwhite With Larger Screen and 10-Week Battery Life
Tech & Gadgets

Amazon Reveals New Kindle Paperwhite With Larger Screen and 10-Week Battery Life

The updated device includes USB-C charging.

Original 'Star Wars' Editor Marcia Lucas Slashes Disney Sequel Trilogy: 'The Storylines Are Terrible'
Entertainment

Original 'Star Wars' Editor Marcia Lucas Slashes Disney Sequel Trilogy: 'The Storylines Are Terrible'

“Kathy Kennedy and J.J. Abrams don’t have a clue about ‘Star Wars.’”

Billie Eilish's 100% Vegan Air Jordan 1 KO and Air Jordan 15 Collabs are Planted Into This Week's Best Footwear Drops
Footwear 

Billie Eilish's 100% Vegan Air Jordan 1 KO and Air Jordan 15 Collabs are Planted Into This Week's Best Footwear Drops

The pop artist’s collabs are joined by the ‘Gundam’ x Nike SB Dunk Highs, the adidas YEEZY BOOST 700 V2 “Mauve” and the Air Jordan 1 “Prototype.”

The Fugees Announce First International Tour in 25 Years
Music

The Fugees Announce First International Tour in 25 Years

Kicking-off with an intimate pop-up show at a secret New York City venue.

Montblanc Presents UltraBlack Range at Feuerle Collection Gallery Unveiling
Fashion 

Montblanc Presents UltraBlack Range at Feuerle Collection Gallery Unveiling

Presented by Montblanc
Championed by the likes of Peggy Gou, Kingsley Ben-Adir and more.

More ▾