Since 2006 Japan’s Niigata Prefecture and Musashino Art University (aka “Musabi” in Japan) collaborated to create the “Wara Art“, a summertime festival, in tribute to the annual rice harvest in that region. During the event, amazing giant animal sculptures made from massive bundles of rice straws are displayed to the visitants. Huge lions, eagles, crabs, spiders, other animals, and mythical creatures impress by the level of accuracy applied.
Rice straw is a symbol of the rice that supports the lives of Japanese people. Through collaboration between Musabi students and Niigata City residents to create artwork made with rice straw and exhibit this as an event, modern usage of rice straw is presented and regional revitalization and people-to-people exchanges are promoted.
Wara Art Festival
More info: Website, Instagram (h/t: Colossal, Designboom).
