Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin sculpture is back on Naoshima Island, Japan

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(CNN) — The famous yellow pumpkin sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was reinstalled on October 4 Naoshima island after it was swept into the sea and badly damaged in a typhoon last summer.

Local residents, students and officials gathered to celebrate the art island’s signature sculpture as it was put back On the pier on Naoshima Island, which lies in the Seto Inland Sea. It has been there since 1994.

“Since (the pumpkin) was a symbol of Naoshima, it’s great to see the same artwork installed again in the same place. We’re happy to share the joy with the residents of Naoshima,” said Yukari Stenlund, a spokeswoman for Benesse Holdings , the company that manages the sculpture and the rest of the island’s art offerings, told CNN Travel.

The sculpture, which is two meters high and 2.5 meters wide and made of fiberglass reinforced plastic, was swept into the sea in August 2021 and broken into three pieces.

According to Stenlund, Kusama’s production team chose to create a brand new yellow pumpkin sculpture – while staying true to the original – after evaluating the extent of the damage.

An unveiling took place on October 4, 2022.

Thanks to Tadasu Yamamoto

The artist’s production team started work on a new pumpkin earlier this spring, making the statue’s outer shell 10% thicker than the original so it could withstand strong waves and wind in the future. In addition, a hook was embedded in the stem so it could be easily towed to safety should another typhoon strike.

“We hope to showcase the pumpkin as a symbol of Naoshima’s connection to the world,” Stenlund added, saying that message formed the basis for the 1994 “Out of Bounds” exhibit, which featured the image for the first time. was installed on the island.

On the Japanese island of Naoshima, contemporary sculptures grace the landscape, while abandoned houses are transformed into works of art.

Naoshima is a quiet place with 3,200 inhabitants, located in the Setouchi Sea, north of Shikoku. With three museums of modern and contemporary art, it is known as an ‘art island’. The yellow pumpkin, which contrasts with the blue sea, has long been a popular site for Instagram photos.

The main way to access the island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Okayama town, which is a 50-minute high-speed train ride from Osaka.

The timing of the pumpkin couldn’t be better. Japan will open its borders to tourists on October 11, and the Setouchi Art festival will run until November 2022.

Photo of the “Yellow Pumpkin” Welcome Ceremony Courtesy of Tadasu Yamamoto

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