A unique underwater exhibition titled "Aquart" was held on Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture last weekend, allowing visitors to appreciate works surrounded by the coral reef.
Among the objects displayed were works created using tree branches to represent the beauty of the woods and a sea turtle made of welded iron bars.
The show also featured children's works displayed on the sea surface. These included plastic bottles formed in a shape resembling a sea urchin. This part of the exhibition was popular with elementary and junior high school students.
"It was weird seeing the work depicting a sea turtle in the ocean," said Hayata Hori, 13. "The ocean was clear and beautiful and it felt really good." The show was the 16th of its kind.
Yoko Ichikawa, a 28-year-old lacquer artist from Osaka, said: "Amami Oshima is a part of Japan, but the climate and the plants here are different and I feel very relaxed."
