DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN: Investigating Japanese design
The exhibition features research done by eight creators who extol the history of the “design treasures” present in the daily life of different Japanese prefectures.
By JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Japan House - 2023
Piano of the research of experience architect Tetsuya Mizuguchi (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Eight Japanese creators from different areas of activity have their research brought together in the exhibition ‘DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN: Investigating Japanese design.’
Underlining each of the investigations are experiences and stories collected in seven Japanese prefectures visited by internationally renowned creators, such as Akira Minagawa, Reiko Sudo, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Tsuyoshi Tane, Kenya Hara, Koichiro Tsujikawa, Kumiko Inui, and Kunihiko Morinaga.
NHK + JH: Global roaming
Organized by NHK, Japan’s public broadcasting system, together with NHK Promotions and NHK Educational, which are companies of the group, the exhibition is part of Japan House’s global roaming project, beginning in São Paulo, moving on to Los Angeles, and then going to London.
“When we think about the Japanese culture, one of the first references that comes to mind is design; however, there is currently no museum dedicated solely to this subject in Japan,” explains NHK’s chief producer Kyoko Kuramori, who is in charge of the exhibition at JHSP.
“In this sense, the exhibition plays an important role in bringing together different items present in the daily life of the Japanese population from the perspective of these renowned creators, which says a lot about timeless aspects of local life, the landscape, and the history of different regions of the country - showing that all it takes is a curious look to find design in almost everything that surrounds us,” says Kuramori.
Creators and creatures
Most of the creators have, in fact, already been the subject of individual exhibitions or have had their work exhibited at JHSP, as is the case of:
Reiko Sudo (NUNO – Contemporary Textile Poetics), Akira Minagawa (The Art of RAMEN Donburi), Kunihiko Morinaga (ANREALAGE – A LIGHT UN LIGHT), Kenya Hara (Subtle – Subtleties on Paper and Architecture for Dogs), and Tsuyoshi Tane (Tsuyoshi Tane | Archeology of the Future – Memory & Vision) - who signs the expography of the exhibition.
In addition to the spaces dedicated to each of the investigations, including featuring videos produced especially by NHK on the research processes, visitors may also have access a collection of titles about the creators and the topics they address.
Spinning tops of the research of videomaker Koichiro Tsujikawa (2023-03-28/2023-06-18) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
What does design mean for you?
Finally, the exhibition has an interactive section, where visitors are invited to leave their impressions and to contribute with examples present in Brazilian daily life that can be considered true ‘treasures’ of each region of the country.
JHSPdrops DMJ
In this edition of the JHSPdrops series, important and influential personalities in different areas of design were invited to comment on the subject of the exhibition. Check it out here.
The chief producer of NHK’s art and culture group and the person in charge of producing the exhibition, Kyoko Kuramori, and the Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane, present the concepts of Design Museum Japan and the work of the creators featured in the institution’s new exhibition. Check it out!
Click play and explore the design treasures in Iwate and Amami
Click play and explore the design treasures in Iwate and Amami
Find out more about the exhibition ‘DMJ: Investigating Japanese Design:'
Find out more about the exhibition ‘DMJ: Investigating Japanese Design:'
Japan House São Paulo
Paulista Avenue, 52
Bela Vista - São Paulo/SP
Phone: +55 11 3090-8900
