The Tottori Sand Museum in Japan has opened its 20th anniversary exhibition, themed around Spain. The show features monumental sand sculptures recreating iconic Spanish landmarks, including several of Antoni Gaudí's structures, most notably the Sagrada Familia basilica. The exhibition began last month and will run through January 3, continuing the museum's tradition of annual themed displays that began outdoors in 2006 and moved to a dedicated indoor building in 2012.
This milestone exhibition highlights the Tottori Sand Museum's unique role in the art world, transforming ephemeral sand into large-scale, lasting sculptures that draw international attention to the region. By dedicating its 20th show to Spain, the museum underscores its commitment to cultural exchange and the celebration of global heritage through an unconventional medium. The exhibition also reinforces Tottori's identity as a destination for innovative, temporary art, similar to how Sapporo's Snow Festival uses natural materials for creative expression.