From August 2–11, “72 Micro-seasons,” an immersive animation exhibition by U.S.-Japan Creative Artist Fellows Katelyn Rebelo and Kira Matsubara-Dane was held in a 150-year-old traditional house in Yoshino, Nara.

The exhibition drew inspiration from Japan’s seasonal calendar 24 Solar Terms as well as the daily life of a large family in Yoshino’s Chimata district. Visitors experienced an animated documentary that captured the subtle shifts of the seasons woven into everyday life.
Throughout the space, 19th-century animation devices, phenakistoscopes, were installed for visitors to touch and operate. The 24-chapter animation correlate to spoken reflections on daily life across the 24 solar terms, as told by a family living in a traditional, centuries-old farmhouse.  

Various events including animation workshops using phenakistoscopes and artist talk were also held during the exhibition!