MAD Architects’ Crazy Project for the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale
The architects restored a 750-metre-long Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, interspersed with art installations for the occasion.
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055115/02_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_Periscope_by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc._low-res-1024x683.jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
This project was devised by MAD Architects, the firm founded by Yansong Ma, for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Triennale 2018. Its goal was to restore the 750-metre-long Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel in Niigata Prefecture.
The team created five artistic spaces that evoked the natural elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). Just before the tunnel, a small wooden hut served as a café and souvenir shop, selling locally made artisanal products. On the upper level was a hot spring foot spa. All through the gallery, lights illuminated the different areas. But the show-stopper came right at the end, with an installation entitled The Light Cave, a pool of water with a mirror reflecting the surrounding nature.
More information on the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Triennale can be found on its website.
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055148/09_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_Periscope-2nd-fl._by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc_low-res..jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055204/12_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_Expression-of-colors_by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc._low-res.jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055227/14_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_the-drop_by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc.-1024x683.jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055251/16_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_the-Expression_by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc..jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
![](https://pen-online.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/02055327/19_MAD_Echigo-Tsumari_Tunnel-of-Light_Light-Cave_by-Nacasa-Partners-Inc.-1024x683.jpg)
Photography by Nacasa & Partners Inc. courtesy of MAD Architects
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