sustainability

Article
Sublime Experience for Sustainable Underground Space:
Integration of the Artists’ Works in Chichu Art Museum
Eun Joo Park 1, * and Eunki Kang 2, *

1 Department of Architecture, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea

2 Department of Architecture, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
* Correspondence: [email protected] (E.J.P.); [email protected] (E.K.)

Abstract: This paper investigates a vision of the underground environment associated with an
aesthetic discipline. Its fundamental notion is sublimity, which was a phenomenon that involved
a number of artworks engaged with changing the perception of the underground experience. This
paper seeks to clarify how the idea of the living environment underground has changed by examining
the works of writers, painters, and architects who have drawn inspiration from the concept of imagi-
nary underworlds. Through a case study of the Chichu Art Museum, a representative underground
space in terms of a sustainable relationship between architectural spaces and nature that could be
experienced as sublime, this paper considers how to integrate visitors to distribute their awareness
of artists’ work. It also stimulates visitors’ perceptions of a more sustainable future through sublime
experiences, offering a way to understand underground integration with artworks. Therefore, this




paper contributes to the knowledge of the relationship between architecture and artwork by increas-

 ing the aesthetic value of the underground space and considering how art intervenes in architecture
Citation: Park, E.J.; Kang, E. Sublime to create a sustainable didactic.
Experience for Sustainable
Underground Space: Integration of Keywords: sublime experiences; underground spaces; sustainability; artworks; Chichu Art Museum
the Artists’ Works in Chichu Art
Museum. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126653
1. Introduction
Academic Editors:
There is a growing interest in securing new spaces within a limited area as contem-
Carmela Cucuzzella,
porary cities are becoming overcrowded [1–4]. Further, urban development has lost its
Cynthia Hammond and
relationship with the city, along with its urban identity, and has not been concerned about
Jean-Pierre Chupin
the history of the site [5–8], its so-called context. Philosopher S. K. Langer described the
relationship between architecture and place as follows: “Architecture visualizes the charac-
Received: 10 May 2021
Accepted: 8 June 2021
teristics of a place” [9]. The essence of architecture is marked on a place with each unique
Published: 10 June 2021
characteristic, and architecture always takes root in the place and makes its shape with
its meaning. Placeness includes not only the visible material things but also the cultural
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
and social meanings, which represent the historical site with a significant collection of
with regard to jurisdictional claims in
memories and history [10,11]. Heidegger also said that “the place reveals the bond between
published maps and institutional affil- the world and the outside and places the human in a way that confirms the depth of the
iations. human freedom and reality” [12]. The place is a profound and complex aspect of the human
experience in the world [13,14]. In this way, the place means more than the location of the
architectural form as a unit of the urban environment; it is a fusion of human intention and
natural order that can be distinguished from other places, especially in the underground. In
Copyright: © 2021 by the authors.
addition, the natural and social phenomena of the underground space allow us to approach
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
meaningful architecture by understanding and reading the context of the site.
This article is an open access article
The development of the underground space through the historical construction of a
distributed under the terms and site has been considered an alternative to improving the urban environment [3,15]. The
conditions of the Creative Commons development of underground spaces has the advantage of minimizing the destruction of
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// the natural environment on the ground and can contribute to solving the problems caused
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ by the overcrowding of urban areas. The underground space has been regarded as a safe
4.0/). dwelling, which started as a shelter from the dangers of nature; as a religiously sacred

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126653 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 2 of 15

space in ancient civilizations; as the world of the dead; as a space containing a mythology of
fear. Thus, underground spaces have not been diversified as a result of their restrictive and
negative image, nor have they been valued as a major spatial resource for future-oriented
urban development. However, the underground has the potential to create a sustainable
green space by comfortably preserving and using the natural and cultural resources of the
above-ground space [3].
Recently, unconscious connections to architecture have again become the subject of
research. The unconscious is one of the few areas where alternative narratives are still
possible, and there is nothing more strategic about inserting the unconscious into areas
dominated by rational thought such as architecture [16].The architectural metaphors and
perceptual, imaginative and spatial of theories are rich sources of understanding that
architects create spaces that responds to unconscious desire [16]. Yet, the function of
aesthetic experiences based on emotion, feeling, and even imagination in the process of
shaping environmental attitudes, has not been considered and verified [17]. Moreover, its
significance as it relates to underground spaces has not been adequately assessed. Thus,
this study seeks to ascertain the possibility of its application in underground architecture
and artworks and searches for a sustainable vision of the underground space. In other
words, it presents the underground space as an alternative space to the sublime experience
of the aesthetic interpretation of the artists’ works, triggered by the development of the
underground space.
By solving the problem of aesthetic interpretation recently raised in response to the
concept of the sublime in the underground space [3], this study considers the possibility of
urban application and tries to locate the aesthetic horizon of the future underground space
through the sublime as an aesthetic concept of a new era. To achieve this, this paper:
1. Reinterprets the notion of the sublime experience through the imagination, as shown
in artforms such as myths, novels, and paintings (in Section 2.1);
2. Locates the concept and meaning of sublime experience within the aesthetic discussion
that can be had in underground spaces (in Section 2.2);
3. Analyzes the Chichu Art Museum in Japan as the representative underground mu-
seum, in terms of sustainable relations between architectural spaces and nature, such
as through light, darkness and geometric form, with sublime experiences based on
the correlations between architectural spaces and artworks (in Section 3).
In this way, this study investigates how the underground spaces are integrated with
the artworks, which have altered the visual and sensory experiences. Thus, the purpose
of this study is to deal with the nature of space, engaging with the site through aesthetic
analysis, rather than functional and technical analyses of the underground space. From
the perspective of these analyses, this paper addresses how the vision of the underground
could be transformed by the integration of the artworks to create a sustainable environment
in the future.

2. The Sublime, the Underground and Artworks

2.1. The Sublime Experience
Philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy called the sublime “a fashion that has never been stopped
from the beginning of the modern era to our time” [18]; the sublime has a different attribute
to beauty and has always existed [19]. According to Longinus, the sublime is character-
ized by the qualities of great oratory: elegant and eloquent phrasing intended to inspire
passion [20]. However, the sublime has been neglected for a long time in philosophical
aesthetics [21–23]. It was Edmund Burke who animated the modern discussion of the
sublime, considering it one of the aesthetic categories. According to Burke, the sublime,
unlike the beautiful, is a feeling related to pain or danger that is not threatening to life [24].
The objective bases of beauty and the sublime are actually the opposite. Beautiful tends
to refer to small things that may be smooth, diverse, delicate, clear, or bright, while the
sublime connotes great qualities, such as uniformity, power, obscurity, and sobriety [25].
Thus, Burke stated: “[t]he ideas of the sublime and the beautiful stand on foundations so
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 3 of 15

different, that it is hard . . . to think of reconciling them in the same subject, without consid-
erably lessening the effect of the one or the other upon the passions” [26]. In the case of the
sublime, the imagination utilizes its own capacities of apprehension and comprehension.
According to the Kantian point of view, nature has provided us with a sense of both beauty
and the sublime by creating the human [27]. Following Burke and Kant, the beautiful and
the sublime were categorized to study nature, resulting in artistic outputs, including poetry,
painting, and novels. The sublime, a life-changing experience of uncertainty, can be seen as
a transformative discourse on the subject [28]. Thus, by the mid-eighteenth century, the
sublime had crossed the disciplinary boundaries of literature to incorporate morality and
the visual arts as well [27].
Today, the sublime is used colloquially as a vague superlative. The sublime is more
than simply an aesthetic trend; it is a holistic experience, encompassing all aspects of life.
We find that one of the most consistent claims about this experience is that it involves an
element of fear [29]. It has a specific meaning in the realms of philosophy, literary studies,
art history, and cultural criticism and may be used to refer to transcendence, insensitivity,
exaltation, or ecstasy [30]. More particularly, it is also used to refer to the awe-inspiring,
the grandiose, or the great [31].
The sublime provides an alternative and aesthetic path to understanding modernity
and allows for an important opening of architectural discourse [26]. In architectural theory,
the sublime appears in many ways and it is fundamental to the construction of modern
aesthetics, which has restricted our ability to see architecture from a lasting perspective
in terms of the sublime. The sublime connotes immense ideas, such as space, time, death,
and divinity [27]. Its importance for the subjects of aesthetics and architecture lies in
its conceptual scope or spiritual dimension. Thus, this study suggests that the sublime
provides alternative and aesthetic ways to understand architectural space, especially
underground space. More specifically, it proposes that a series of underground imaginings
have changed our environmental visions of architecture to portray a more sustainable
future through sublime experiences.

2.2. A Vision of the Underground Imagination in Art

Rosalind William observed in “Notes of the Underground” that Sigmund Freud
(1856–1935) considered the subterranean metaphor as central to his ideas about the human
“subconscious” [32]. Juhani Pallasmaa deals with a psychic understanding of architecture
by “opening up a view into a second reality of perception, dreams, forgotten memories
and imagination.” [33]. Pallasmaa’s conception of the unconsciousness is similar to Freud’s
idea of eccentricity wherein silence sympathizes with the sublime. The phenomenon of
underground development began with imaginative literature, and changing perceptions
of the living environment. The narrative tradition retained its popularity through the
eighteenth century, and numerous scholars and intellectuals have drawn inspiration from
the concept of an imaginary nature [34–36], which will continue to fascinate human beings
in the future.
The underground space in myth is related to death, which can be attributed to the
custom of burying the dead. In Greek and Roman mythology, the underworld is depicted as
a conceptual space, revealing a fear that is close to horror and awe, rather than a substantive
space, and Hades was the god who governed the underground space (see Figure 1). Fear
is considered a component of the sublime. For example, the self-preservative passion of
simple fear has pain as a constituent, while the self-preservative passion arises when pain
is threatened at a relatively safe distance, or when pain is experienced as a component
of moderation, awe, and “tranquility shadowed with horror” [26]. In other words, the
underground space is not only a space of fear that alienates human beings [37]; it is also a
space of death from which humans want to turn away, despite being part of nature.
 Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 15

pain
pain is
is threatened
threatened at
at aa relatively
relatively safe
safe distance,
distance, oror when
when pain
pain is
is experienced
experienced asas aa compo-
compo-
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653
nent
nent of moderation, awe, and “tranquility shadowed with horror” [26]. In other words,
of moderation, awe, and “tranquility shadowed with horror” [26]. In other words,
4 of 15
the
the underground
underground space
space isis not
not only
only aa space
space of
of fear
fear that
that alienates
alienates human
human beings
beings [37];
[37]; it
it is
is
also a space of death from which humans want to turn away, despite being part
also a space of death from which humans want to turn away, despite being part of nature. of nature.

Figure
Figure1.1. Hell,
1.Hell, François
Hell,François de
Françoisde Nomé,
deNomé, 1622
Nomé,1622 (Source:
1622(Source: Wikimedia
(Source:Wikimedia Commons)
WikimediaCommons) [38].
Commons)[38].
[38].
Figure

Similarly,
Similarly, French
Similarly,French novelist
Frenchnovelist Jules
novelistJules Verne’s
JulesVerne’s
Verne’s (1828–1905)
(1828–1905)
(1828–1905) science
science
science fiction
fiction
fiction is
is best
is best known
known
best knownforfor
a
for
aa variety
variety of of innovations
innovations and and technological
technological advancements.
advancements. In In Verne’s
Verne’s
variety of innovations and technological advancements. In Verne’s book “A Journey to book book
“A “A Journey
Journey to to
the
the
the Center
Center of the
Center of the
the Earth”
ofEarth” [39], [39],
Earth” etching
etching
[39], images
etching images illustrate
illustrate
images the
the voyage
the voyage
illustrate into
into the
voyage the
the “darkness”
into“darkness” of
of the
“darkness” of
the underground,
underground,
the underground, and theand
andbookthe book
the described described
book described the
the underworldunderworld
the underworld in suchin in such
a way a
suchasa to way
way as
explain to explain
as to intense
explain
intense
intense emotion
emotion as a source
emotion as
as aaofsource
fear but
source of
of fear
also but
fear also
as the
but as
as the
the pleasure
alsopleasure of
of the
the undiscovered
of the undiscovered
pleasure world,
world, which
undiscovered world,
which
iswhich is emphasized
emphasized as
as a metaphor
is emphasized a metaphor
for thefor
as a metaphor for the
Romantic Romantic
movement
the Romantic movement
movement[40].The [40].The
narrative
[40].The narrative alter-
alternates
narrative alter-
nates scientific
scientific research research
with with claustrophobia
claustrophobia and and
acute acute representations
representations
nates scientific research with claustrophobia and acute representations of the challenges of the of the challenges
challenges and
and
and feelings of fear and pleasure as they are experienced by an individual endowed with
feelings
feelings of fearof fear
and and
pleasurepleasure
as they as
arethey are experienced
experienced by an by an
individual individual
endowed endowed
with incred-
with
incredible
ible
incredible perceptibility
perceptibility and
and creative
and creative
perceptibility imagination.
imagination.
creative The heroes
imagination. The
The heroes
in in
in the
the novels
heroes novels
the rely
novels on rely on
on inter-
intermittent
rely inter-
mittent
light, light,
which
mittent which
which gradually
light,gradually brightens
gradually brightens
to present
brightens to
to present
spaces spaces
present that were
spaces that were
were concealed
thatconcealed in
in darkness
in darkness
concealed (see
darkness
(see
(see Figure
Figure Figure 2).
2). 2). Moreover,
Moreover, the
Moreover, the darkthe dark
dark spaces
spaces spaces are
are are where
where where the
the the psychological
psychological space
psychological space space expands
expands expands to
to become to
the experience
become the of the
experience sublime.
of the Through
sublime. intense
Through light,
intensethe dark
light, space
the
become the experience of the sublime. Through intense light, the dark space is perceived dark is perceived
space is by the
perceived
audience
by
by the and thisand
the audience
audience darkness
and this expandsexpands
this darkness
darkness into theinto
expands space
into theofspace
the the sublime
space of
of the experience.
the sublime
sublime experience.
experience.

Figure
Figure2.2.
Figure An
2.An illustration
Anillustration from
from
illustration thethe
from novel
novel
the “A
“A Journey
“A Journey
novel to theto
Journey the
the Center
toCenter of
of the
of the Earth”
Center Earth”
the by Julesby
Earth” Jules
Verne,
by Verne,
Julespainted
Verne,
painted
painted
and and
illustratedillustrated
and illustrated
by Édouard by Édouard
byRiou.
Édouard Riou.
TheseRiou. These
These
etchings etchings
etchings
depict depict the
depict the
the creatures creatures encountered
creatures encountered
encountered in
in the
in the imaginationthe
imagination
imagination of the subterranean
of the landscapes
subterranean landscapes
landscapes through which they pass (Source: Wikimedia Com-
of the subterranean through which through
they passwhich they
(Source: pass (Source:
Wikimedia Wikimedia
Commons) [41]. Com-
mons)
mons) [41].
[41].
“Le Carceri d’Invenzione (Imaginary Prisons)” by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1761)
epitomizes the archetype of fabricated vastness and, as such, represents the underground
in architectural constructions. Piranesi created a prodigious oeuvre of dynamic and curious
images of magnificent buildings and mysterious prisons. While not literally underground,
they convey an overwhelming sense of enclosed spaces and an infinite subterranean
environment [42]. Piranesi’s poetic imagination of infinite space, with its contrasts between
 “Le Carceri d’Invenzione (Imaginary Prisons)” by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1761)
epitomizes the archetype of fabricated vastness and, as such, represents the underground
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 in architectural constructions. Piranesi created a prodigious oeuvre of dynamic and5 curi- of 15
ous images of magnificent buildings and mysterious prisons. While not literally under-
ground, they convey an overwhelming sense of enclosed spaces and an infinite subterra-
nean environment [42]. Piranesi’s poetic imagination of infinite space, with its contrasts
light and dark,
between largedark,
light and and large
small,and
appears
small,asappears
a modelasofaromanticism. As Burke suggests,
model of romanticism. As Burke
feelings of sublimity might be aroused by external nature and the “artificial
suggests, feelings of sublimity might be aroused by external nature and the “artificial infinite,”in-
a
nonorganic visual object of great dimensions [26]. Inside these prisons, it is possible
finite,” a nonorganic visual object of great dimensions [26]. Inside these prisons, it is pos- to
imagine
sible to an emptyan
imagine silence
emptythrough
silenceinfinite
throughspace and the
infinite colossal
space and architectural structures—
the colossal architectural
infinite staircases and arching domes, narrow corridors and impenetrable fortifications,
structures—infinite staircases and arching domes, narrow corridors and impenetrable for-
columns, chains,
tifications, and chains,
columns, furnaces
and(see Figure 3).
furnaces (see Figure 3).

Figure3.3.Giovanni
Figure GiovanniBattista
BattistaPiranesi,
Piranesi,“The
“TheImaginary
ImaginaryPrisons
Prisons(Le
(LeCarceri
Carcerid’Invenzione”,
d’Invenzione”,plate
plateVII:
VII:
The Drawbridge) (Source: Princeton University Art Museum) [43].
The Drawbridge) (Source: Princeton University Art Museum) [43].

Architecture, sculpture,
Architecture, sculpture, and
and painting
paintingonce
oncebelonged
belongedtogether.
together.Indeed, they
Indeed, theywere ad-
were
mirably intertwined
admirably intertwined at various
at variouspoints in history.
points During
in history. relatively
During recentrecent
relatively times in human
times in
civilization,
human the separation
civilization, of art and
the separation architecture
of art has taken
and architecture place, place,
has taken resulting in thein
resulting appli-
the
cation of a new
application aesthetic
of a new principle
aesthetic of the
principle ofsublime to the
the sublime tounknown
the unknownunderground
undergroundspace. The
space.
underground can be viewed as the symbol of the
The underground can be viewed as the symbol of the development of development of the perception of
perception of thethe
city, and it illustrates the desire for the aesthetic through imaginative and
city, and it illustrates the desire for the aesthetic through imaginative and technological technological
achievements. It
achievements. It is
is worth
worth revisiting
revisiting past
pastvisions
visionsofofunderground
undergroundimaginings
imaginingsthatthatcould
could
influencethe
influence theurban
urbanenvironment
environmentof ofthe
thefuture.
future.Numerous
Numerousscholars
scholarsandandintellectuals
intellectualshave
have
drawninspiration
drawn inspirationfrom fromthetheconcept
conceptof ofan
animaginary
imaginaryunderworld,
underworld,which
whichwillwillcontinue
continueto to
fascinatehuman
fascinate humanbeings beingsin inthe
thefuture
futureasaswell.
well.

2.3.
2.3.Framework
Framework
From
Fromthetherepresentation
representationofofthetheunderground
underground space
spacepresented
presented above, a new
above, a newfascinating
fascinat-
vision emerged, which introduced models of the human environment
ing vision emerged, which introduced models of the human environment for the future for the future [44].
The underworld is something entirely different, neither nasty nor beautiful.
[44]. The underworld is something entirely different, neither nasty nor beautiful. In addi- In addition,
underground spacesspaces
tion, underground were not only
were notcharacterized by fear,by
only characterized but were
fear, also
but seen
were as seen
also evocative of
as evoc-
the pleasant darkness and infinite space of the unknown world, offering new
ative of the pleasant darkness and infinite space of the unknown world, offering new pos- possibilities
for expressing
sibilities a vision ofa undiscovered
for expressing underground
vision of undiscovered spaces. The
underground analysis
spaces. Theframework was
analysis frame-
derived
work was from the underground
derived spaces shownspaces
from the underground in Section
shown2.2 and extended
in Section 2.2 to
andfactors related
extended to
to the characteristics of sublime experiences (see Table 1).
factors related to the characteristics of sublime experiences (see Table 1).
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 6 of 15

Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 15

Table 1. Characteristics of the sublime experience in imaginings of the underground (Source: Authors).

Table 1. Characteristics of theMyth

sublime experience in imaginingsNoble Painting
of the underground (Source: Authors).
Imagination Medium Jules Verne, “Journey to the Giovanni Battista Piranesi,
François de Myth
Nomé, “Hell” (1622) Noble Painting
Center of the Earth” (1864) “Imaginary Prison” (1761)
Imagination Medium Jules Verne, “Journey to the Center Giovanni Battista Piranesi,
François de Nomé, “Hell” (1622)
of the Earth” (1864) • “Imaginary
materializedPrison”
in (1761)
• exploration of
• • fear close to horror
fear close to horror and and awe architectural constructions
•
fear has pain as a constituent•
undiscovered
exploration world
of undiscovered materialized in architec-
• • poetic imagination
awe • organic nature
world tural constructions
Characteristics • related to death • infinity stairs
• • fear has pain as a constitu-
dark, mysterious space •
• contrast between light
organic nature • • poetic spaces
endless imagination
Characteristics • entnatural environment
and dark
• • nonorganic
infinity stairs
• • contrast between
fictional light and •
expression
visual object
• related to death ofendless spaces
great dimensions
dark • nonorganic visual object
• dark, mysterious space • fictional expression of great dimensions
• • natural environment
underground spaces are characterized not only by fear, but also by the pleasant darkness and
Summary of • underground spaces
infinite space of theare characterized
unknown world not only by fear, but also by the pleasant darkness and infi-
Summary
SublimeofExperience
Sublime Ex- • nite space
the darkofspace
the unknown
graduallyworld
becomes bright, expanding into the space of the sublime experience
perience • • theinfinite spaces
dark space are depicted
gradually with bright,
becomes contrast between light
expanding andspace
into the darkness to sublime
of the arouse the imagination
experience
• infinite spaces are depicted with contrast between light and darkness to arouse the imagination

3.3.The
TheSublime
SublimeExperience
ExperienceUnderground:
Underground:AAReview
Review
3.1.Context:
3.1. Context:Chichu
ChichuArt
ArtMuseum
Museumin
inNaoshima
Naoshima
Naoshimaisisa asmall
Naoshima small island
island with
with 3400
3400 inhabitants
inhabitants andand an area
an area km2 that
of 14.22
of 14.22 km2belongs
that be-
longs
to to the Kagawa
the Kagawa Prefecture,
Prefecture, the northernmost
the northernmost of the four of prefectures
the four prefectures
of the islandof the island of
of Shikoku
Shikoku
in in the administrative
the administrative territory of territory
Japan.ofNaoshima
Japan. Naoshima was economically
was economically booming booming
when
when Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi MiningMining established
established a coppera smelter
copper smelter
in 1917, in but1917, but it heavily
it became became polluted
heavily pol- by
heavy
luted metal waste
by heavy as itwaste
metal was used
as it as
wasanused
industrial
as an waste
industrialtreatment
wasteplant until the
treatment plant1980s [45].
until the
The
1980sfortune of the
[45]. The island,ofwhich
fortune has lost
the island, its vitality,
which has lost hasitschanged
vitality,as hasa result
changed of the
as aefforts
resultofof
local governments
the efforts of localand citizens to revive
governments the abandoned
and citizens to revive island. In 1989, Benesse
the abandoned island.Holdings,
In 1989,
aBenesse
Japanese publishing
Holdings, and education
a Japanese company,
publishing invested in
and education a cultureinvested
company, and artsincenter for
a culture
the
andisland with for
arts center thethe
intention to “make
island with the islands
the intention destroyed
to “make by people
the islands beautiful
destroyed with
by people
human
beautifulhands” [46]. Tohands”
with human overcome [46].these problems,
To overcome sustainable
these problems, development efforts have
sustainable development
begun that combine the areas of environmental preservation
efforts have begun that combine the areas of environmental preservation and art. and art. Naoshima is now
Na-
described
oshima is now described as having been transformed from a garbage island to anTadao
as having been transformed from a garbage island to an art island [47]. art is-
Ando, the architect
land [47]. who designed
Tadao Ando, the architectthe Benese Group center
who designed and carried
the Benese Group out major
center andprojects
carried
for sustainable development, was integral to this transformation [48].
out major projects for sustainable development, was integral to this transformation [48].
The
TheChichu
ChichuArt ArtMuseum
Museumplayed playedaamajor
majorrole
roleinintransforming
transformingNaoshimaNaoshimainto intoan anartart
island. In 2004, Tadao Ando completed the museum, which was
island. In 2004, Tadao Ando completed the museum, which was built under a hill, on the built under a hill, on
the southern
southern slope
slope on on which
which a salt
a salt mound
mound remained.
remained. Chichu
Chichu means
means underground,
underground, andandthe
the
museum humbly hides in the ground so that its appearance is not visible from thethe
museum humbly hides in the ground so that its appearance is not visible from en-
entrance (Figure4).4).
trance (Figure

Figure4.4. A
Figure A view
viewof
ofthe
theChichu
ChichuArt
ArtMuseum
Museumfrom thethe
from sky. To avoid
sky. undermining
To avoid the natural
undermining land-
the natural
scape, the building was constructed underground. (Source: Benesse Art Site Naoshima) [49].
landscape, the building was constructed underground. (Source: Benesse Art Site Naoshima) [49].
ability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 15

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 7 of 15

Ando said: “Darkness rather than the light, below ground rather than above—the
Chichu Art Museum is the most direct expression of this feeling rooted deep inside me”
Ando said: “Darkness rather than the light, below ground rather than above—the
[50].
Chichu Art Museum is the most direct expression of this feeling rooted deep inside me” [50].
To adapt to the natural environment, Ando realized his architectural concept of not
To adapt to the natural environment, Ando realized his architectural concept of not
enacting violence on the ridgelines, skylines, and horizons of the surrounding islands in
enacting violence on the ridgelines, skylines, and horizons of the surrounding islands in
such an extreme way that so-called context and architecture of nature co-exist at the site.
such an extreme way that so-called context and architecture of nature co-exist at the site.
Even though the museum is in underground, naturally designed skylights and window
Even though the museum is in underground, naturally designed skylights and window
ceilings were used to bring natural light into the underground space, and to enable people
ceilings were used to bring natural light into the underground space, and to enable people
to feel the changes in the
to feel nature, suchin
changes asnature,
light, wind, and
such as rain.wind, and rain.
light,

3.2. The Sublime3.2.

Experience of theExperience
The Sublime Chichu ArtofMuseum
the Chichu Art Museum
3.2.1. The Architectural
3.2.1. TheLanguages
Architectural Languages
The Chichu ArtThe Chichucomprises
Museum Art Museum threecomprises
floors, and three floors, and
its structure is its structure
divided intoisandivided into an
entrance
entrance area, two area, two
courtyards andcourtyards and three
three art spaces art underground.
located spaces located The underground.
composition The composition
of the
of the Chichu Art ChichuisArt
Museum Museum
based on theisforms
basedofon the forms
a square, of a square,
hexagon, hexagon,with
and triangle, and triangle, with
two voids on thetwo voids
north andonsouth
the north and south
axes allowing axes from
a view allowing a view
the top from
of the hill the topsea.
to the of the hill to the
sea. The architect sought to achieve a highly complex
The architect sought to achieve a highly complex and varied sequence of sublime experi- and varied sequence of sublime
experiences for visitors within a configuration of simple,
ences for visitors within a configuration of simple, geometrical forms. Ando carved vol- geometrical forms. Ando carved
umes into the volumes
earth andinto theinstall
tried earth in
and triedainstall
them sense in of them
further a sense
depth,of which
furtherinevitably
depth, which inevitably
resulted in lessresulted
light andinanless light andatmosphere
intensified an intensified [50].atmosphere
He examined [50].
every Heaspect
examinedof theevery aspect of
the amount
amount and quality andpenetrating
of light quality of light penetrating
the darkness and thehighlighting
darkness and thehighlighting
individual the individual
spaces, makingspaces, making each
each distinctive. The distinctive.
museum was The museum
intended was intended
to guide the visitor tobyguide the visitor by the
the use
of light. Through Ando’s architectural language, the museum reproduces the sublime ex- the sublime
use of light. Through Ando’s architectural language, the museum reproduces
perience—relatedexperience—related
to spaces of fear to spaces
and of fearand
darkness, andtodarkness, and to infinite
infinite spaces—in spaces—in
the form of a the form of a
sustainable building
sustainable building (see Figure 5). (see Figure 5).

Figure 5. Plan diagram

Figure 5. Planofdiagram
the Chichu Art
of the Museum
Chichu Art (Source:
Museumauthor’s
(Source:drawing).
author’s drawing).
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 8 of 15

3.2.2. The Entrance and Corridor

The entrance of the museum meets at a sharp angle from the long concrete wall
following the stairs of the two-story square garden underground. The walls have the
characteristic of intentionally turning the lines that connecting the spaces so that it is
impossible to predict the view ahead. This allows visitors to experience the uncertainty
of the invisible space. This is a strategy for creating a sublime experience, producing a
phenomenological effect that amplifies the anticipation of the museum by the complex
flows of visitors, building on the fear of not knowing what is ahead. Visitors walk down the
dark angled stairwells made of Ando’s signature concrete slabs to an exterior-less gallery
and then into a corridor. Ando allows visitors to establish and coordinate relationships
with architecture through unique experiences when visiting his architecture. One of
the representative characteristics of this unique process is the maze of movement in the
underground space. The entrance that passes through the two voids, where the wall meets
at an acute angle, does not show the space ahead but filters it, introducing the remaining art
spaces as mysterious, while creating a dramatic atmosphere. Moreover, if visitors observe
the characteristics of the spatial composition arranged according to the flow of movement,
the bright and dark spaces alternately repeat as they move, leading to a new experience that
always changes according to the contrasts and developments in the light (see Figure 5).

3.2.3. Two Courtyards

Stairs and lamps are vertically connected between the art spaces of the museum, which
can be experienced in different directions, as the visitor chooses the route. To access the
square courtyard, visitors must pass through a long and narrow corridor in darkness. The
labyrinthine movement from the entrance to the art spaces gives visitors a sense of fear in
the unknown space even before they view the artwork. A square and a triangle-shaped
courtyard are located in the center, and sunken spaces run around each area. These two
areas are connected by an outdoor passage, akin to a trench. At the end of the corridor, a
bright light from a window creates a beautiful contrast and arouses curiosity about the
space on the bright side. As visitors progress, little by little, along the dramatic beam of
light from the entrance, a series of geometric shapes are formed between the concrete walls,
and light, blue sky, green space, and fresh air alternate in the frame. The slight light in
the darkness makes the space appear to converge at the surface of the museum in the
ground, creating a refracted space and evoking a gradual change of emotion from fear
to pleasure. The outdoor aisle is open towards the sky, which visitors can see from the
underground space, experiencing the natural light, wind, rain, and clouds directly. This
is reflected in Ando’s architectural conception of “the coexistence of people, architecture,
and nature” [46]. Thus, the museum in the darkness is a mysterious space that enhances
curiosity and expectations about “what is ahead?” because it is difficult to predict the space
that will meet in the middle of nowhere.

3.3. Architecture Integration of Artists’ Works

The Chichu Art Museum exhibits only three artists’ works, including a monumental
sculpture by Walter de Maria, meditative light installations by James Turrell, and a series
of Claude Monet’s incomparable “Water Lilies”. Ando has created a specific art space for
each work. This section explores how the spaces integrate the central concepts of these
three artists’ works.

3.3.1. James Turrell

When visitors arrive at the art space for the “Open Field” by James Turrell, they can
see a screen full of walls (see Figure 6a). The “Open Field” was designed to make the
ceiling gradually higher by planning an inclined floor section toward the inside of the
room, with an entrance of 3200 mm and the inside of the room at 3900 mm. This effect
is also achieved through a slanted floor section approaching the room. As visitors climb
the stairs and move carefully toward the screen, the screen wall that they expect to hit
 Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 15
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stairs and move carefully toward the screen, the screen wall that they expect to hit turns
turns
into ainto a blue
blue space,
space, which which
theythey
cancan enter
enter into
into with
with a afear
fearofofnot
notknowing
knowing what is ahead.
ahead.
James
JamesTurrell
Turrelltreats
treatslight
lightitself
itselfasasmatter,
matter,which
whichisisthe
theessence
essenceofofhis
hiswork.
work.When
Whenvisitors
visitors
move
moveup upand
anddown
downthe thestairs,
stairs,the
thescenery
sceneryand
andshadows
shadowsreflected
reflectedononthe
thelight
lightand
andsphere
sphere
change
change depending on the position and angle of the viewer, and the feelings of theviewer
depending on the position and angle of the viewer, and the feelings of the viewer
also
alsochange.
change.

(b)
(a)

Figure6.6.(a)
Figure (a)“Open
“OpenField”,
Field”,(b)
(b)“Open
“OpenSky”
Sky”(Source:
(Source:Benesse
BenesseArt
ArtSite
SiteNaoshima)
Naoshima)[49].
[49].

“OpenSky”
“Open Sky”provokes
provokesaamysterious
mysteriousexperience,
experience,as asififan
aninfinite
infinitespace
spaceisisconnected
connectedtoto
itit(see
(seeFigure
Figure6b).6b).The
The“Open
“OpenSky” Sky”art
artspaces
spaceshavehavean an8000
8000mm mmceiling
ceilinghousing
housingaasquare
square
openingthat
opening thatfully
fullyexposes
exposesthe thecenter
centerofofthe
thepavilion
pavilionto tothe
thesky. Beforeentering
sky.Before enteringthe
the“Open
“Open
Sky,”the
Sky,” the4500
4500 mm-high
mm-high space
space waswas35003500
mm mm lowerlower than
than the the art
main main artunder
space spacetheunder
“Openthe
“Open
Sky.” BySky.” By this
this height height difference,
difference, Ando tried Ando tried toa dynamic
to provide provide aimpression
dynamic impression with
with a contrast
a contrast
between thebetween the two
two spaces. This spaces. This to
is a strategy is aemphasize
strategy to theemphasize
verticalitythe verticality
of the exhibitionof by
the
exhibitionthe
designing by designing
entire room theatentire room at the
the beginning. beginning.
The entrance The andentrance and the surround-
the surroundings are low
ingsdark,
and are low andviewer
so the dark, enters
so the the
viewer enterswith
art space the low
art space with lowmeaning
expectations, expectations,
that themeaning
bright
and
thathigh art space
the bright andproduces an even
high art space greater an
produces impression,
even greaterwhich is dependent
impression, which onisthe sense
depend-
ofentinversion.
on the senseThe of
dizzying ceiling
inversion. Theheight,
dizzyingtexturally rich materials,
ceiling height, texturallyand mathematically
rich materials, and
precise installation
mathematically createinstallation
precise a deeply reverential and meditative
create a deeply reverentialspace capable of inspiring
and meditative space capa- a
sense of awe.
ble of inspiring a sense of awe.

3.3.2.
3.3.2.Claude
ClaudeMonet
Monet
The
The museummostly
museum mostlydepends
dependson onnatural
naturallight;
light;thus,
thus,its
itscorridors
corridorsare
arecool
cooland
anddark,
dark,
while the galleries are large and bright. This simple differentiation heightens the
while the galleries are large and bright. This simple differentiation heightens the experi-experience
of entering
ence the artthe
of entering space
artby allowing
space viewersviewers
by allowing to have toa visual
have astimulus. At the entrance
visual stimulus. to
At the en-
Monet’s art space, visitors are able to see the vivid greens and blues bursting from
trance to Monet’s art space, visitors are able to see the vivid greens and blues bursting canvases
that
fromseem less like
canvases flatseem
that surfaces thanflat
less like portals to fecund
surfaces preternatural
than portals scenes
to fecund within a brilliant
preternatural scenes
white interior with rounded walls that create an edgeless impression of infinity. The size,
within a brilliant white interior with rounded walls that create an edgeless impression of
design, and materials of the room were all carefully selected by the architect to combine
infinity. The size, design, and materials of the room were all carefully selected by the ar-
Monet’s paintings with the surrounding space. Monet’s art space uses natural light, which
chitect to combine Monet’s paintings with the surrounding space. Monet’s art space uses
seeps in through the crevices where the walls and ceiling meet, to remove the setting. This
natural light, which seeps in through the crevices where the walls and ceiling meet, to
allows visitors to view the paintings in light, which changes the overall tone of the works,
remove the setting. This allows visitors to view the paintings in light, which changes the
depending on the season, weather, or time of day.
overall tone of the works, depending on the season, weather, or time of day.
3.3.3. Walter de Maria
3.3.3. Walter de Maria
After passing through a narrow and dark corridor, visitors are able to meet de Maria’s
After passing
installation through a narrow
“Time/Timeless/No Time”,and darkorb
a giant corridor, visitorsofare
in the middle ableset
stairs to in
meet
the de Ma-
center
ria’s installation “Time/Timeless/No Time”, a giant orb in the middle of stairs
of a 10-m-wide concrete art space (see Figure 7). The large-scale artwork in the concrete set in the
center of a 10-m-wide concrete art space (see Figure 7). The large-scale artwork
room, surrounded by Ando’s architectural language, reminds visitors how the space of in the con-
crete
the room, surrounded
artwork can expand by Ando’s
their architectural
perceptions of andlanguage,
pleasurereminds visitors
in artistic how the space
experiences. The
artwork transforms the natural light and surrounds the glowing walls with gold rectangles.
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Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 10 of 15

of the artwork can expand their perceptions of and pleasure in artistic experiences. The
artwork transforms the natural light and surrounds the glowing walls with gold rectan-
The
gles.clarity and deliberation
The clarity of the architect’s
and deliberation creation
of the architect’s are noticeably
creation activated.
are noticeably The space
activated. The
features a cross-sectional plan that gives depth and visual effect by creating changes
space features a cross-sectional plan that gives depth and visual effect by creating changes in
the ceiling, while the staircase progresses from the entrance across the entire room
in the ceiling, while the staircase progresses from the entrance across the entire room in in the
direction of theofgaze.
the direction To introduce
the gaze. natural
To introduce light, light,
natural glass skylights were planned
glass skylights on fouronsides
were planned four
along the center and outer corners of the art space. The light falls through a deep gap on
sides along the center and outer corners of the art space. The light falls through a deep
the side of the room and is filtered through a much softer and more subtle light on the wall.
gap on the side of the room and is filtered through a much softer and more subtle light on
As de Maria stated, “In my life and work I seek . . . the right place, the right action, the
the wall. As de Maria stated, “In my life and work I seek … the right place, the right action,
right time” [51]. Space and artwork are integrated to emphasize the powerful and delicate
the right time” [51]. Space and artwork are integrated to emphasize the powerful and
sublime experience that gives visitors order and clarity.
delicate sublime experience that gives visitors order and clarity.

Figure 7. Walter de Maria, “Time/Timeless/No Time” (2004). Chichu Art Museum, Japan. Image ©
Figure 7. Walter de Maria, “Time/Timeless/No Time” (2004). Chichu Art Museum, Japan. Image ©
Mitsuo Matsuoka (Source: Benesse Art Site Naoshima) [49].
Mitsuo Matsuoka (Source: Benesse Art Site Naoshima) [49].

4.4.Discussion
Discussion
4.1.
4.1.The
TheMatrix
Matrixofofthe
theIntegration
Integrationofofthe
theSublime
SublimeExperience
Experiencewith
withthe
theArtworks
ArtworksininChichu
Chichu Art
Art Museum
Museum
The
The sublime
sublime experience
experience ofof Chichu
Chichu Art Art Museum’s
Museum’sintegration
integrationofofitsitsartworks
artworks cancan be
be divided into three contexts. First, the placeness of natural elements,
divided into three contexts. First, the placeness of natural elements, such as light, wind, such as light,
wind, and sound
and sound from from seasky,
sea and and is
sky, is perceived
perceived through
through the architecture
the architecture in relation
in relation tosur-
to its its
surroundings. As Ando regards the beginning of architecture as harmony
roundings. As Ando regards the beginning of architecture as harmony with the site, he with the site,
he
hashas
notnot destroyed
destroyed nature,
nature, butbut tried
tried to to induce
induce more
more active
active cognitive
cognitive development
development in in
re-
response
sponse totonature’s
nature’scontrasting
contrasting effects,
effects, enhancing
enhancing thethe relationship
relationship between
between nature
nature and and
the
the human
human through
through architecture [52].
architecture[52]. ThisThis is why
is why AndoAndo focused
focused on onthethe entire
entire context
context of
of the
the site, adding geometrical artificiality: “[T]he goal is to create a higher level of space
site, adding geometrical artificiality: “[T]he goal is to create a higher level of space of pos-
of possibility, where art, nature, and humans work together to stimulate each other. I
sibility, where art, nature, and humans work together to stimulate each other. I hope that
hope that architecture will be a device that can enhance people’s imagination and evoke
architecture will be a device that can enhance people’s imagination and evoke conversa-
conversations with art or nature” [53]. Following his idea, the appearance of the museum
tions with art or nature” [53]. Following his idea, the appearance of the museum becomes
becomes one with nature, buried in nature, and it is not easy to recognize the form of the
one with nature, buried in nature, and it is not easy to recognize the form of the museum
museum from the outside. The museum occupies only space in the ground and needs no
from the outside. The museum occupies only space in the ground and needs no expression
expression on the outside.
on the outside.
Second, the underground museum was conceived as a space in which architecture and
Second, the underground museum was conceived as a space in which architecture
artworks would exist as a single entity, where the merging of architecture and art would
and artworks would exist as a single entity, where the merging of architecture and art
become apparent. When viewing the artworks of James Turrell, Claude Monet, and Walter
would become apparent. When viewing the artworks of James Turrell, Claude Monet, and
de Maria in the Chichu Art Museum, a sublime experience occurs in the spaces where
Walter
the de Maria
architect in thegeometrical
combines Chichu Artforms Museum, a sublime
and natural experience
elements. occurs
Visitors can in the spaces
understand
where the architect combines geometrical forms and natural elements.
the space by illuminating the dark interior through the flow of light as an underground Visitors can under-
space made of darkness. The museum provides an experience that encompasses something
beyond architecture and the natural environment, incorporating each particular artwork
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Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 11 of 15

stand the space by illuminating the dark interior through the flow of light as an under-
ground space made of darkness. The museum provides an experience that encompasses
something beyond architecture and the natural environment, incorporating each particu-
lar
andartwork
allowing andus allowing
to perceive us and
to perceive
interact and withinteract with itand
it in different in different
important and important
ways. When
ways. When experiencing the art spaces, it becomes clear that
experiencing the art spaces, it becomes clear that the darkness of the spaces at the museumthe darkness of the spaces
at the museum
exists in a stateexists in a state of interdependence.
of interdependence. That is to say, That is to say,experience
the sublime the sublime is experience
as much a
is as much a element
contributing contributingto theelement
display and to the displayofand
reception reception
artists’ worksof in artists’ works
art spaces, andineach
art
spaces,
space isand each space
interrelated withis interrelated
the others. with the others.
Last, the underground
undergroundmuseum museumprovides providesaasustainable
sustainableapproach
approach toto art,
art, encompass-
encompassing
ing the environment, society, and culture. According to
the environment, society, and culture. According to Ando, architecture is a part Ando, architecture is a part ofof the
overall
overall environment;
environment;hence, hence,hehetriestriestoto preserve
preserve nature
naturearound
around hishisarchitecture
architecture andandto en-
to
courage
encourage sensitivity
sensitivity to the changes
to the changes in nature
in nature [54].[54].
The persistent
The persistentcharacteristics of a place
characteristics of a
are
placeclearly relatedrelated
are clearly to ourto continuing
our continuing experience of the of
experience change and continuity
the change of thatof
and continuity place,
that
or to the
place, or nature of the of
to the nature change itself, and
the change this
itself, andstrengthens the relationship
this strengthens between
the relationship archi-
between
architecture
tecture and place.
and place. As sustainability
As sustainability is related
is related to theto sense
the sense of placeness,
of placeness, evenevenwhen when
the
the surrounding
surrounding is changed,
is changed, it is it is that
felt felt that
this this
placeplace
will will last and
last and remainremain a distinct
a distinct entity;
entity; this
this
is anisexample
an example of the ofsituation
the situation in which
in which architecture
architecture and and artworks
artworks are integrated
are integrated withwith
the
the experience
experience of sublime.
of the the sublime. The Themuseum museum provides
provides a place
a place supporting
supporting a widea wide
range range of
of sus-
sustainable
tainable approaches,
approaches, encompassing
encompassing the the environment,
environment, society,
society, andand culture.
culture.
To explain the sublime experience of integrating integrating architecture
architecture and and artworks,
artworks, an an anal-
anal-
ysis of the spatial experience of the artworks in the underground museum based on the
architect’s language
architect’s language is is presented
presented in in the
the matrix
matrix shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 8. 8.

Matrix
Figure8.8.Matrix
Figure of sublime
of sublime experience
experience of artworks
of artworks in Chichu
in Chichu Art Museum
Art Museum (Source:drawing).
(Source: author’s author’s
drawing).
4.2. Synergistic Influence of the Place in Which Art Is Presented on Its Perception
4.2. Synergistic Influence of the Place in Which Art Is Presented on Its Perception
The general spirit of the place is important in terms of the perception of artistic
The general spirit of the place is important in terms of the perception of artistic events.
events. The sublime experience of the space can be transferred to the assessment and im-
The sublime experience of the space can be transferred to the assessment and impact of
pact of the events taking place within it. In this respect, the Chichu Art Museum focuses
the events taking place within it. In this respect, the Chichu Art Museum focuses on
on sublime
sublime experiences
experiences that
that result
result fromchanging
from changingspaces,
spaces,provoking
provokingdifferent
different feelings
feelings and
and
emotions. The underground museum is minimal in its appearance and
emotions. The underground museum is minimal in its appearance and material; however, material; however,
the
the experience
experience ofof aa continuous
continuousspace
spacethat
thatflows
flowsfrom
fromitsitsentrance
entrancethroughout
throughout itsits entirety
entirety is
is a reversal of the minimal, continuously introducing new and unexpected
a reversal of the minimal, continuously introducing new and unexpected spaces that evoke spaces that
evoke
feelingsfeelings
of fearof
andfear andand
awe, awe, and
also also
the the pleasure
pleasure of joy. of joy.
The underground museum pursues a
The underground museum pursues a sustainable sustainable vision of an
vision of underground
an underground environ-
envi-
ment
ronmentthatthat
embraces
embraces nature and and
nature adapts to the
adapts to context of the
the context of site, connecting
the site, withwith
connecting the sur-
the
surroundings. In addition, the reason why the Chichu Art Museum is more highly appreci-
ated than any other underground space is because of its sustainable relationship between
the architectural space and the existing artwork. Ando believes in presenting the beauty
Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 15

Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 roundings. In addition, the reason why the Chichu Art Museum is more highly appreci- 12 of 15
ated than any other underground space is because of its sustainable relationship between
the architectural space and the existing artwork. Ando believes in presenting the beauty
created by human beings in the colorless space created by nature and breathing life into
created by human beings in the colorless space created by nature and breathing life into
the architectural space rather than revealing the form or materials of the building.
the architectural space rather than revealing the form or materials of the building.
Sublime experiences and sensibility change from time to time, but this architecture
Sublime experiences and sensibility change from time to time, but this architecture
offers a way to introduce poetic and dramatic stories underground. Scenes and spaces are
offers a way to introduce poetic and dramatic stories underground. Scenes and spaces
connected by motion and time to form a sequence, and the dramatic transition of these
are connected by motion and time to form a sequence, and the dramatic transition of
sequences and the flow of the change capture a story as a whole. Architecture is not an
these sequences and the flow of the change capture a story as a whole. Architecture is
object of appreciation, such as a work of art that is only to be observed, but an object of
not an object of appreciation, such as a work of art that is only to be observed, but an
experience and perception by all senses. Therefore, the Chichu Art Museum pursues a
object of experience and perception by all senses. Therefore, the Chichu Art Museum
sustainable vision of the
pursues a sustainable underground
vision environment,
of the underground which is which
environment, completed by the experi-
is completed by the
ences of those who inhabit and experience it—that is, the perceptive subject
experiences of those who inhabit and experience it—that is, the perceptive subject shapes the
shapes
environment, rather than the architecture itself (Figure 9).
the environment, rather than the architecture itself (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Sustainable model of underground space (Source: author’s drawing).

Figure 9. Sustainable model of underground space (Source: author’s drawing).
5. Conclusions
Underground development represents humankind’s pursuit of scientific accomplish-
5. Conclusions
ments for authenticity,
Underground competency,
development aestheticism,
represents and refuge.
humankind’s pursuitHowever, the
of scientific increasing
accomplish-
intricacies
ments of the underground
for authenticity, mayaestheticism,
competency, result in a change to the However,
and refuge. prioritization of the require-
the increasing in-
ments of the built environment and those of the people. Reliance on technology
tricacies of the underground may result in a change to the prioritization of the require- could
have aof
ments negative
the builteffect on social relations
environment and thoseand ofinteractions
the people.between
Reliancepeople, which can
on technology also
could
provide a sense of protection, sometimes even more beneficial and efficient
have a negative effect on social relations and interactions between people, which can also than that of-
fered by technology. This study, by solving the problem of aesthetic interpretation recently
provide a sense of protection, sometimes even more beneficial and efficient than that of-
experienced in the underground space—the concept of the sublime experience—clarified
fered by technology. This study, by solving the problem of aesthetic interpretation re-
the working processes of the senses, discussed the development of the underground to
cently experienced in the underground space—the concept of the sublime experience—
evoke the sublime, and presented this alternative as an aesthetic concept for a new era.
clarified the working processes of the senses, discussed the development of the under-
Historically, the sublime underworld cannot be accurately defined: it is, at the same
ground to evoke the sublime, and presented this alternative as an aesthetic concept for a
time, repulsive and appealing; ambiguous and cryptic, but not oppressively so; abhorrent
new era.
and alluring. Nevertheless, the positive aspects have gained ground; the underworld
Historically, the sublime underworld cannot be accurately defined: it is, at the same
has been transformed into an enchanted land, a safe haven, free of flaws and deficien-
time, repulsive and appealing; ambiguous and cryptic, but not oppressively so; abhorrent
cies. Numerous scholars and intellectuals have drawn inspiration from the concept of an
and alluring. Nevertheless, the positive aspects have gained ground; the underworld has
imaginary underworld, which continues to fascinate human beings. When considering the
been transformed into an enchanted land, a safe haven, free of flaws and deficiencies. Nu-
possibility of urban application, the aesthetic vision of the underground is found in sublime
merous scholars
experience, not inand intellectuals
technological have drawn inspiration
accomplishment. Therefore,from
it is the concept
necessary to of an imagi-
create a plan
for inducing the sublime experience by constructing a history of the underground space,
which could diversify its use and support user’s cultural and social experiences.
The Chichu Art Museum demonstrates a sustainable vision of an underground en-
vironment that embraces nature and adapts to the context of the site, thereby leading
Sustainability 2021, 13, 6653 13 of 15

to the transformation of spaces through different feelings and emotions. The museum
provides a harmonious yet enriched space and environment by establishing an organic
relationship between the natural environment, humans, and architecture that is called
sustainable. The museum is minimal in its appearance and materiality; however, the
experience of a continuous space that follows the flow of movements from the entrance,
to the entire space, to the exit is a reversal of the minimal, continuously meeting new and
unexpected spaces that endow feelings of fear, awe, but pleasure. Thus, the Chichu Art
Museum reveals the sustainability of the underground space by eliciting in those who visit
this underground space. Sublime experiences and sensibility that change from time to
time, as if architecture provides a way to introduce poetic and dramatic stories into the
underground. Scenes of space through motion and time are connected to form a sequence,
and the dramatic transition of these sequences and the flow of change capture a story as a
whole. Architecture is not an object for appreciation, such as a work of art that is only to be
looked at, but an object for appreciation experienced and perceived through all our senses
and perceptions. Therefore, the Chichu Art Museum pursues a sustainable vision of the
underground environment that is completed by adding the experiences of those who visit
and experience it, that is, the sensitive subject, rather than the architecture itself.
In short, the underground is a place where you can experience fear, darkness, and
infinite spaces integrated with artworks. It reflects not only the imagination of visitors but
also the experience of the body, and as a sublime space that gives visitors a sense of place,
it is a space of reflection. The spaces and forms of architecture itself are not perfect, but
visitors can experience sublime moments through the continuity of architectural elements
underground, transformed into a sustainable vision of the urban environment.
The relationship between the architectural space and its artworks creates a sublime
experience, leading to new ways of perceiving the underground environment, which
enhances our imagination and helps us to find sustainable solutions for an underground
future. Further, the sublime experience is significant in the relationship between the
architecture and the artworks in the underground space. Therefore, this paper contributes
the knowledge concerning the relationship between architecture and artworks as a catalyst
for sustainable underground development of strong value of local identity that engages
in the conservation of the natural environment. The most important idea is to reverse the
current approach that considers only the spatial value of underground buildings to find
new underground features and conserve surface space for the future. More discussions
will be necessary in order to develop ideas on how artworks affect visitors’ experiences
behavior in the underground museum, or what sort of sublime experiences can induce to
become more powerful, which could be examined in future researches.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, E.J.P.; methodology, E.J.P. and E.K.; investigation, E.J.P.
and E.K.; writing—original draft preparation, E.J.P.; writing—review and editing, E.J.P. and E.K.;
visualization, E.J.P.; supervision, E.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of
the manuscript.
Funding: This research was supported by Sejong University in 2021.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: No data is available for this work.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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