The Art of RAMEN Donburi
The exhibition explores the history of ramen donburi and its bowls, featuring pieces from Mino, Japan, decorated by renowned artists.
Entrance of 'The Art of Ramen Donburi' Exhibition (2022-08-18/2023-02-05) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
Served in a single bowl, ramen is a dish that combines five elements: Noodles, dashi, tarê, toppings, and fat, and it can be prepared in countless recipes with different flavors and styles. This unprecedented exhibition in Brazil, that showcases the important role ceramic bowls play in the preparation and composition of the various ramen recipes, seeks to understand what makes this dish such a phenomenon that has spread throughout Japan and the world.
Most ramen donburi have a standardized size, raw material, and shape, and approximately 90% of them are made in the region of Tono, southwest of Mino, in the Gifu prefecture, in Japan. The exhibition presents a Japanese approach to design, which values the beauty of everyday objects and elevates donburi, a utilitarian piece, to the category of art.
Organized by the designer Taku Satoh, and by the writer and editor Mari Hashimoto, together with the Ceramic Valley Association of Mino, the exhibition is divided into sections that present the ramen culture and anatomy; the ramen donburi, and the Mino ceramics product.
It starts with the history and culture of ramen, showing the rich diversity of ingredients that a single bowl can bring together. Also showcased here will be a giant sample of ramen created by Iwasaki, a company known for producing plastic food samples, which are extremely popular in Japan.
Donburi or works of art?
Donburi - the main attraction of the exhibition - is revealed in the second part, where it is possible to see 30 bowls and their spoons (renge) transformed into true works of art by the hands of 30 creators, such as visual artists, designers, and architects. Each brings references, experiences, and curious stories about their relationship with this famous dish.
Display of Mino Ceramic Fragments (2022-08-18/2023-02-05) by Japan House São PauloJAPAN HOUSE São Paulo
The art and the Artists
The limelight is on the work of the pioneering pop multi-artist, graphic designer, and illustrator Keiichi Tanaami, with a peculiar donburi decorated with a spider. The graphic designer and exhibition curator Taku Satoh, in turn, pays homage to traditional graphism, such as the “thunder pattern,” the dragon, and the phoenix.
The psychedelic style of the renowned illustrator Tadanori Yokoo can also be seen in a donburi decorated with happy skulls - an allusion to the tonkotsu ramen broth, which is made with pork bones.
In addition to them, also present at the exhibition are creations of Akira Minagawa; Alan Chan; Atsuki Kikuchi; Ayame Suzuki; Gugi Akiyama; Hikaru Ichijo; Hisashi Tenmyouya; lssay Kitagawa; Izumi Shiokawa; Jin Katagiri; Jonathan Barnbrook; Junya lshigami; Katsumi Asaba; Kazufumi Nagai; Kazumasa Nagai; Kazunari Hattori; Kenjiro Sano; Koichi Sato; Masayoshi Nakajo; Misa Awatsuji; Shin Matsunaga; Shin Sobue; Tabaimo; Yasumichi Morita; Yoshiharu Doi; Yuki Senda; Yuri Uenishi.
Mino Ceramic Valley
In the last section, visitors are introduced to the Mino Ceramic Valley, the main ceramic region in Japan, responsible for producing almost 90% of the country's porcelain ramen bowls, many of which have also found their way into ramen shops around the world.
On display there are maps, photographs and videos about the geography and history of this region, which for over 500 years has produced pieces that combine beauty and functionality. Also showcased here are ten more donburi produced by the skilled potters of Mino and which reflect the diversity of techniques and finishes produced in the ceramic kilns of the region. Its is possible to discover the variety of the production of Mino, which also manufactures ceramic tiling used in construction.
Press play and understand more about the exhibition:
Japan House São Paulo
Paulista Avenue, 52
Bela Vista – São Paulo/SP
Phone: +55 11 3090-8900
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