2006 Volume 69 Issue 5 Pages 383-388
In Kobe City, Japan, the installation of open-air sculptures was started as part of the reconstruction efforts following the Second World War. This initiative has continued to the present. Initially, 'symbol roads' with sculptures to create greater cultural scenery were established as a means to enhance the city's profile. At first, only roadside spaces were considered for open-air sculptures but types of location eventually began to expand. In particular, since the early days of the project, an increasingly higher ratio of installations began to be located in parks and open spaces. However, since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, new installations have decreased in number, a downward trend that continues. This research aims to clarify the reason behind the change and to consider the relationship between open air sculptures and open spaces since the earthquake. It will also consider how the status of open air sculpture installation projects has changed in the periods of post-war recovery and post-quake reconstruction.
