Following on from the last blog, this is the final chapter on art.

*Please note that this article does not mention headlamps or outdoor activities.

Whenever I go abroad, I always make time to visit art museums. I go to experience the art of the present. First, I went to the Netherlands.

"WORLD PHOTO PRESS ~International Photojournalism Exhibition~"

I've been there once before, and there are some striking photos here. First of all, there are the photos that are posted all over town as promotional posters.

It's so cool. No, it's electrifying. I stood there for a few minutes in front of this photo. Because of my job, I really wanted to take a photo like this. This man looks like a GOLD MINER, like a leader who is leading the eight workers. But his eyes are sharp.

It was turned upright for the poster, but here is the original composition.

This is definitely better.

A few other good photos.

I was inspired.

And this is in front of the station closest to the hotel where I was staying. It's an amazing object, and it's full of playfulness.

Also, when you go to a park, you will see trees that have naturally grown at an angle, and someone has added a sculpture to them. It's interesting!

Now, let's move on to Lyon, France.

As I was walking around town, I heard classical music blaring from an apartment building. It was so loud that I wondered if the neighbors would complain, and I started to worry. I was walking along thinking about all the different kinds of people there.

This time, I was in front of a bar and French hip hop was playing. It's what's commonly known as a "BLOCK PARTY." It's a genre I personally like, so I stopped and enjoyed the atmosphere.

As I walked further, I heard a huge bass sound echoing through the town. I wondered what it was and headed in the direction of the sound. Then I found the cause. This is it. ↓

We set up two of these amazing sound systems and had a dance party in the park.

A kindergartener who happened to be passing by was surprised by the loud noise and joined in. I was impressed by the teachers who brought the children here, a sight that would never happen in Japan. It was a heartwarming space.

The DJ was playing authentic dub plates, livening up the atmosphere.

As my wandering around the city was coming to an end, I looked up at the sky and saw a treble clef formed by contrails.

When I asked a pedestrian why there was so much music playing, I was told that June 21st is France's "Music Day," or "the day to enjoy music," and is a nationally recognized holiday. So genre, race, and national borders don't matter. It's all about enjoying the music.

I wish we could have such a wonderful holiday in Japan, but it seems like it will be a while before that happens in conservative Japan. Anyway, it was a whirlwind tour of Europe where I was able to experience art.

I would like to write a blog about this sort of thing from time to time.