About the artwork

The term “natural levee” refers to the slightly higher ground created by the overflow of rivers during repeated flooding events, found particular along downstream portions of rivers. In 2001, it was discovered that the accumulation of gravel, small stones, and round stones was deposited by the ancient Shinano river. 12,600 years ago (determined by carbon-14 dating), during the early Jomon Era, the Shinano river flowed through what today are fields. This work can be considered the nucleus of a series of installations exhibited here since 2000 having Shinano river as a theme.