In 2010, contemporary artist Mariko Mori began a monumental public project to create six site-specific artworks engaging unique ecological settings, local communities, and collaborators on each of the Earth’s habitable continents. Faou Foundation, a non-profit organization, was formed to realize the project and promote environmental awareness of the balance between humanity and nature.

Faou Foundation’s mission is to bring Mariko Mori’s vision to life by placing art installations in remote locations worldwide to foster cultural exchange, spark interest in and knowledge of local communities, and encourage gratitude towards nature for future generations.

Each host site is carefully selected and gifted a site-specific installation. These works seek to call attention to the rich heritage of each recipient community, help further sustainability initiatives, and nurture a creative and ongoing dialogue that focuses on the interchanges of art, local culture, and the natural environment.

The first artwork, Primal Rhythm: Sun Pillar, was completed in 2011 in Japan, and was a well-received tribute to the local community of Miyako Island. By emphasizing the delicate beauty of the ocean and coral reef, this piece brings humanity to the apex of art and environment.

Faou installed the second artwork, Ring: One with Nature, for the Véu da Noiva Waterfall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Inspired by a dream that Mariko Mori had and endorsed by the 2016 Olympic Games, Ring has become a focal point for the local community and has brought cultural awareness to one of the most renowned natural wonders in the world.