The 6th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale opens in western Japan 26 July - 13 September 2015. On the theme 'Humans are part of nature', commissioned artworks by international visual and environmental artists are spread across a wide region, connecting rural countryside locations and city. As well as the visual artworks, upcoming performing artists from Asian countries come to Echigo-Tsumari and give performances at hubs and villages. The Triennale highlights artworks representing creative approaches and techniques as well as devices to appreciate those that have been cultivated by people over generations. This constitutes an alternative “art” for the 21th century, going beyond existing definitions of art. Building upon a legacy of over 200 artworks created and accumulated from five previous triennales and nearly 20 years of activities, and the hospitality of local people, and networks with other regions, the 6th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale presents about 100 new artworks, exploring local sites and contexts, making use of local assets and revealing specific challenges. The different areas that make up the regional satoyama welcome you with their distinctive landscapes to experience a wonderful journey across local places, people and cuisine, guided by art. You can read more about the selected artists here Image: [top] 'Offering' by Toshihiro Komatsu; [bottom] WD Spiral Part III Magic Theatre by Hermann Maier Neustadt