azuma makoto installs monumental bouquet of flowers into buddha's hands

azuma makoto’s monumental bouquet

hidden within the tadao ando-designed ‘hill of lavender’ (see more here) is the latest installation by azuma makoto titled ‘atamadaibutsu to hana (the hill of the buddha and flowers).’ the sculptural work was installed just last weekend beneath the lavender field, in sapporo, japan, and sees the introduction of a monumental flower bouquet arranged within the arms of the seated buddha statue.

while the place is currently buried under a cloak of snow, the installation will last until the springtime. then, rows of purple lavender will bloom through the summer and radiate outward from the central skylight through which the buddha’s head emerges. sited within a hokkaido cemetery, the built landscape harmonizes with the surrounding nature.

images courtesy of azuma makoto | @azumamakoto

approaching the buddha

azuma makoto (see more here) installs his ‘atamadaibutsu to hana (the hill of the buddha and flowers)’ beneath tadao ando’s lavender-covered hill that encloses the buddha. thus, the floral sculpture is only visible from within the underground space, or through the skylight from above. approaching the buddha from below, visitors pass through a tunnel lined with a series of arching concrete ribs that evokes a ‘womb wrapped in darkness.’

during the entire approach through the 40 meter (130 foot)-long corridor, the full figure of the buddha will never be visible until the final entrance into the light-filled rotunda which houses it. visitors must tilt their heads back before they can finally see the face of the buddha under the sunlight streaming in from above.

sculpted with a wish of world peace

tadao ando comments on the hill of the buddha, in which the azuma makoto installation is located: ‘I purposely made the buddha rotunda as a roofless, open-air space. the raw elements of nature, including not only sunlight but also rain, wind, and snow, enter directly into it. these ever- changing elements of nature richly imbue a divine feel into the space for the visitors’ encounter with the buddha.’

arranged in buddha’s hands as if they are being held, the sculptural bouquet of flowers are dedicated by azuma with a wish of world peace.