New Exhibition at Japan House London – Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

Japan is synonymous with exemplary design yet, it doesn’t have its own national design museum.

Seven leading Japanese designers with completely different disciplines were asked, “If there were a permanent Japanese design collection, what would you put in it?”. Their diverse responses are the subject of Japan House London’s newly opened exhibition: Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

 

@urbanadventurerldn

[BLOG POST IN BIO] I was invited for the press preview of Japan House London’s new exhibition: ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? Japan is synonymous with exemplary design yet, it doesn’t have its own national design museum ???????? Seven leading Japanese designers with completely different disciplines were asked, “If there were a permanent Japanese design collection, what would you put in it?” ???? Their diverse responses are the subject of Japan House London’s new exhibition that opened today Make sure you join the conversation by participating two activities at the end of the exhibition and tell something about your favourite design ???? ???? 15 May – 8 Sept 2024 ????️ Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm | Sun & Bank Holidays: 12pm – 6pm ????️ FREE | Booking a time slot is encouraged. You can book your free time slot on Japan House London official website #japanhouselondon #japaneseart #japanesedesign #designmuseum #japaneseculture #japanese #design #CapCut

♬ Japanese style music – kurenaidouke

 

Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

 

Design Discoveries - Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

“Spanning ten millennia, this exhibition is an experiment in imagining what a design museum of the future might look like. It is about speculation and collaboration.” – says Director General and CEO of Japan House London, Sam Throne.

 

Seven well-known Japanese creators, from filmmakers to fashion designers, were asked to try to find an answer of a simple yet complex question: “What is design?”

 

Kuramori Kyōko, Director of Design Museum Foundation at Japan House London

Kuramori Kyōko, Director of Design Museum Foundation

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

As Kuramori Kyōko, Director of Design- DESIGN MUSEUM Foundation and Chief Producer of NHK explains, design shouldn’t necessarily be an intricate and super expensive piece of art. Design can be an everyday object we can find connection to in our everyday lives.

 

This is why ‘Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN’ exhibition showcases artefacts that have close connection to our lives, such as toys, fashion or even cutlery.

 

Hand-Picked Artefacts from Well-Known Japanese Creators

 

Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

The exhibition showcases Japanese artists’ and creators’ chosen national treasures spanning 10,000 years across Japan, chronologically telling the story of each individual piece.

 

Originally thousands of different objects have been collected by DESIGN MUSEUM Foundation to be potentially displayed at a future Design Museum Japan.

 

Out of the thousands of objects, seven individual pieces were selected that, the curators thought, would be the most suitable for the UK audience.

 

The selected seven objects are set to represent different parts of Japan from North Japan all the way to Kagoshima Prefecture at the Southwestern tip of the island.

 

It was also important to showcase diverse objects from pottery to fashion to music from both male and female creators.

 

Design Treasure Hunt

 

Japan House London - Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

The exhibition has been created to be like a treasure hunt.

 

Each creator’s chosen object has its own section to tell the story of the artefact on display and why the artist picked that particular item.

 

Visitors are encouraged to walk around the display cubes and read quotes from the artist and interesting facts about the object displayed. This gives an experience similar to a treasure hunt.

 

Highlights of the Exhibition

 

 

Morinaga Kunihiko Noro priestess garment at Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

Fashion designer Morinaga Kunihiko presents Noro priestess garment. It’s a talismanic patchwork garment made from different clothes from the whole community in order to protect the young priestess from harm.

 

The triangular shapes represent butterflies that are believed to carry the soul of their ancestors. This garment has never left Japan before, therefore it’s a very unique opportunity for visitors to marvel at this wonderful piece.

 

Sudō Reiko Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 at Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

One of Japan’s most influential textile designers, Sudō Reiko showcases sportswear inspired by huge paper lanterns, presented in Toyama’s Yotaka Andon Festival. The festival is also called ‘Fighting Lantern Festival’ because of the violent clashes of enormous lanterns with warrior pictures painted on them.

 

Tsujikawa Kōichirō wooden spinning tops - Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Filmmaker Tsujikawa Kōichirō has chosen wooden spinning tops from Hyōgo because, according to Kōichirō, a spinning toy is the first designed object a human comes into contact with in their life.

 

Mizuguchi Tetsuya ‘transacoustic piano’ - Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Architect and ex-SEGA video game designer Mizuguchi Tetsuya presents a ‘transacoustic piano’ from Shizuoka. The piano has an embedded speaker that creates a sonic experience that can be felt throughout the entire body.

 

Tane Tsuyoshi 10,000-year-old earthenware - Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Architect Tane Tsuyoshi offers earthenware from over 10,000 years ago from the Jōmon Period and explores how these potteries still impact Japanese design today.

 

Be Part of the Exhibition – Add Your Design Treasure

 

Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN - Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

  

The exhibition ends with two activities.

 

Visitors are invited to share their own ideas about design and what designs mean to them. Simply grab a piece of paper provided and write down what design means to you and place it on the wall. The aim is to cover the entire wall with colourful papers full of ideas and thoughts about design.

 

Activity at Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN Exhibition at Japan House London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Is there a particular design close to your heart? Grab a small piece of paper and a little flag and write down (or draw) what design it is and in which country it can be found. When you’ve finished, pierce the flag in the country in the world map on the wall and connect your flag with your paper.

 

Need some assistance? A friendly member of staff is always there to help you put your paper and flag on the wall if needed.

 

Practical Info

 

Design Discoveries- Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN - Japan House Kensington London

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

 

Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

 

Address

Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA

 

Opening Times

15 May – 8 Sept 2024

 

Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm

Sun & Bank Holidays: 12pm – 6pm

 

Tickets

FREE | Booking a time slot is encouraged. You can book your free time slot on Japan House London official website

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for your next adventure? You still have a chance to visit Bandai Namco Cross Store’s free One Piece pop-up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the anime series and Luffy’s birthday.