Serendipity of Sand: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Art Form

By Akio Oikawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

14:30 JST, August 29, 2025

“Sand pictures” are pieces of art in which patterns gradually shift with the flow of sand. These captivating pieces surprise and soothe observers with their ever-changing landscapes.

In one piece, sand in colors like purple, dark blue and gold flows down as if in an hourglass inside a 22-centimeter-high by 33-centimeter-wide frame. In the background is a beautiful dawn sky. As the sand falls, it piles up like the gentle ridges of mountains, eventually forming a complete “landscape painting.”

The pieces were conceived and created by Austrian artist Klaus Bosch in 1988. Several types of sand with different levels of density, along with water and air, are placed between two thin glass plates, and the edges are sealed with special silicone. When the artwork is inverted, the sand moves through the gaps between the bubbles, creating various patterns.

The pieces were sold as pop-up items by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co. “I was attracted to their artistic quality, as well as how they allow people to enjoy the serendipity of the sand,” said Akio Hisada, 65, who oversaw product development at Daimaru at the time of his interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun. “They are popular among a range of generations, both for personal use and gifting.”

The sizes vary from that of postcards to framed pieces measuring 50-centimeter-high by 70-centimeter-wide. In addition to wall-mounted pieces, there are also tabletop types with stands. Some pieces do not have backgrounds, but recently, those set against paintings or photographs have become popular.

For example, “Mangetsu” (Full moon) uses a photograph of a full moon taken by professional Japanese photographer Kagaya. Two types of blue sand represent the depth of the night sky, while white sand represents clouds, highlighting the light of the full moon. “It’s a wonderful piece that allows you to watch as the moon appears and disappears,” said Hisada.

The sand falls according to how vigorously the work is inverted and the amount of air used, so the same pattern never appears twice. Depending on size, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to five or six hours for patterns to shift after changing the orientation. In Europe, the sand pictures have been displayed in spaces where people gather, like offices and waiting rooms, to stir up lively conversations.

Adjustable air volume

The momentum of the sand falling is determined by the amount of air inside the glass plates. With a lot of air, the layer of bubbles becomes thicker, slowing down the movement of the sand. Conversely, with less air, the gaps between the bubbles widen with the weight of the sand, increasing the speed at which it falls. The amount of air can be adjusted using an attached tool called an injector.

“If you want to pile the sand like a steep mountain, use more air; if you want it flat, use less,” said Hisada. “By adjusting to your preferences, you open up even more ways to enjoy the art.”