21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT holds the exhibition "MINGEI - Another Kind of Art" directed by product designer Naoto Fukasawa, from November 2, 2018.

In 1925, Soetsu Yanagi (1889 - 1961) first named handicrafts made by anonymous craftspeople "Mingei," as he recognized the beauty in these everyday items used by common people.
The defining characteristics of Mingei, which draws on climate and custom, are handed down from generation to generation, developing originality in material, color, process, application, shape and so on, and evolved into innovative, impulsive, imaginative and original work not restrained by any one form or genre.

In today's world, unique characteristics of individual regions are diluting and affection towards items is dwindling. That is precisely why the innocent aesthetics and spirit of Mingei has such a strong impact on not only users, but also all people involved in making things, and provide them with triggers to create new energy for a coming era.

This exhibition features 146 traditional and contemporary Mingei items from The Japan Folk Crafts Museum's collection selected by its director, Naoto Fukasawa. They are displayed along with straightforward statements by Fukasawa regarding their appeals. In addition, we introduce the faces of Mingei in today's society through a film capturing the lives and work of the creators of Mingei and the people who promote it. Naoto Fukasawa's personal collection, and photographs revealing new forms of Mingei are also on display.

Furthermore, this exhibition gives a new glance at the history of Mingei by presenting Soetsu Yanagi's "Nihon Mingeikan Annai (Introduction to The Japan Folk Crafts Museum) " and "Verses from the heart," which are expressions straight from the heart conveyed in short phrases; the in-house magazine, "Mingei," for which Sori Yanagi oversaw the cover layout, "The Mingei Movement Film Archive" which captures the handicrafts during the early phases of the Mingei movement, and so forth.
Finally, the exhibition introduces the items created by present-day people who carry on the Mingei tradition in various regions throughout Japan. Through a myriad of exhibit, the exhibition will unravel the story of "Another Kind of Art = MINGEI," which will be the basis of design inspiration into the future.

Date

November 2 (Fri), 2018 - February 24 (Sun), 2019

Venue

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 1 & 2

Closed

Tuesdays (Except December 25), December 26 - January 3

Time

10:00 - 19:00 (Entrance until 18:30)

Admission

General ¥1,100 / University Students ¥800 / High School Students ¥500 / Junior High School Students and under may enter for free
Click here for more discount information

Organized by

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, THE MIYAKE ISSEY FOUNDATION

In association with

Agency for Cultural Affairs; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; MINATO CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Special sponsor

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Sponsored by

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd.

Exhibition Director

Naoto Fukasawa

Special Planning Associate

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum

Exhibition Graphic Design

TSDO

Text

Hisashi Ikai

Space Design

Takashi Nakahara

Infographics Design

Shohei Iida

Film Production

Noriaki Okamoto

Coordination

Yasuko Natsume

Participating Creators

Marty Gross, Mariko Ohya

Exhibitors

Masahiro Ishikawa (Ishikawa Glass Kogeisha), Yumi Ishikita, Isao Ishitobi, Yoshiteru Ito (Seiko Glass), Naoyuki Inoue, Yukihito Kanai (Kanai Kogei), Kazuko Komine, So Sakamoto, Asaji Sato, Mitsuo Tsunatori (Kozan Kobo), Takashi Tomii, Morito Toyonaga, Yoshihiro Nanao, Setsuo Numakura (Kamagami Studio), Yukiya Fujitani, Daizo Yamasaki, Yu Yonaha, Kengo Yonezawa

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Directors

Issey Miyake, Taku Satoh, Naoto Fukasawa

Associate Director

Noriko Kawakami

Director of Programs

Tatsuya Maemura