ハチ公、「部屋」で安らぎ　誕生１００年、アート作品に―東京・渋谷

　忠犬ハチ公の誕生１００年を記念し、東京・渋谷駅前のハチ公像を部屋の中にいるかのように飾り付けたアート作品が１２日、ハチ公前広場に突如出現し、通り掛かる人たちの目を楽しませた。
　実行委員会が渋谷区などと共催する「第１５回渋谷芸術祭２０２３」の一環で、テーマは「ハチ公の部屋」。街のモニュメントを取り込んで部屋を建設するなど世界各地で同様のプロジェクトを手掛けてきたアーティストの西野達さん（６３）が同日朝に完成させた。
　披露はこの日限りで、西野さんは「日本でアートをするとしたら、なじみのあるハチ公をやりたかった」とうれしそうに話した。また、２代目ハチ公像を制作した彫刻家安藤士さんの長女淳子さんも訪れ、「直接見ることができて感無量」と笑顔を見せた。（2023/11/12-11:27）

A temporary art piece was unveiled near Tokyo's Shibuya Station Sunday incorporating a statue of the loyal dog Hachiko, a landmark for the area, catching the eyes of passersby.
   "What's going on here?" a very surprised passerby said, taking a close look at the artwork that featured a room built around the iconic statue that has continued to watch over the station for decades.
   Created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hachiko, the dog that continued to wait for his deceased owner at the station, the art piece was put up on display for one day with the theme "Hachiko's room" by Tatsu Nishino, a 63-year-old Japanese artist.
   "I've always wanted to create an art piece with Hachiko should the opportunity arise to create a piece in Japan," said Nishino, who is known for his similar works throughout the world involving surrounding statues and other objects with a room-like structure.
   The current Hachiko statue is the second one, erected in August 1948 by Japanese sculptor Takeshi Ando, after the first was destroyed during World War II.