This time, so-called artworks in both islands are not talked about but this article only writes about KARAMI slag to give you rather unnoticed perspective to appreciate your island visit in Setouchi.
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| KARAMI bricks at 'I love ❤︎ you' public bathhouse in naoshima |
KARAMI is a byproduct of refining copper or other minerals. In a word, it's slag. Due to lack of technology, slag contained more than just waste once; that was rather okay because it still had good content and could be made into other products such as bricks, tiles, and blocks. They are not available any more because the raw material KARAMI is now simply waste thanks to the advanced technology and can't made into such items but still used for construction material, for instance.
Even now, the KARAMI products can be found in Naoshima without being noticed specially.
A set of KARAMI blocks that is easy to find is on the front porch of I ❤︎ you, an artistic public bathhouse in Miyanoura, the port area.
Inujima, one of the three major Benesse-related islands more reminds you of the KARAMI bricks than Naoshima and those in Inujima were used to expand the copper refinery premises. The Inujima copper refinery started its operation in 1909 and operated only for 10 years. The KARAMI bricks speak to us now, remaining on the grounds of the refinery-turned art museum.
In Naoshima, you should look up or down to find the remains of KARAMI. They can be found along the alleys and roads while you walk in the neighborhood of, particularly, Miyanoura Port where you arrive by ferry to start your Naoshima exploration. Considering the history of islands in the Seto Inland Sea and Japan's rushed industrialization in the 20th century, what still remains there are our food for thought and deepen our understanding of the islands and human acts.
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| a picture of KARAMI roof-tiles |
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| Gallery 6, a former pachinko parlor made into art space is currently exhibiting KARAMI project materials |
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| KARAMI brick displayed in the gallery |
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| where KARAMI remains in Naoshima |
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| THIS is KARAMI |
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| KARAMI roof tiles: a former tabbaco shop in the left of the house is now living as an ice cream and soup take-out store named KOBATA (wine and beer are also served), a minute-walk from Miyanoura Port & a barber's shop in the right NOW from naoshima to inujima by passenger boat |
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| to the Seirensho Museum focusing on KARAMI bricks this time |
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| the refinery grounds were expanded with the KARAMI slag bricks |
 the rail made of slag
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| three round smokestacks remain and one is integrated into art gallery |
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| old chimney on the hill as a legacy of industrialization; this one is octagonal |
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| now going back to the gate |
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| the last day before the Museum closes during the 2021-2022 winter time; much less visitors due to covid |
