Fukuoka Asian Art Museum

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The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, located on the 7th and 8th floors of Hakata Riverain, is perhaps the most exciting and refreshing part of this latest addition to our city. Far from the usual stodgy, musty museums, the Asian Art Museum positions itself as an avant-garde repository of contemporary and modern Asian art, presenting a quality and range of artifacts found for the first time under one roof. From photographs, sculptures and paintings to installation art and computer-related interactive exhibits, artists here have expressed themselves using an amazing range of media. But most interesting of all, you can actually watch artists at work. At the Open Studio, on the 8th floor, strike up a conversation with the maestros as they bring their creations to life, or simply gape in wide eyed wonder. The present “1st Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale 1999” exhibition featuring 55 artists from 21 countries and regions, lasts till June. Visit the library, the Art Information Counter, potter around in the Museum Shop stocked with exotic Asian artifacts and a few of the exhibit artists works, or catch your breath in the sun-drenched cafeteria in the Sculpture Lounge. A great place to spend a weekend afternoon.