About
Design: Tamotsu Yagi
Shiro Kuramata and Ettore Sottsass in Japan, 1990 Photo: Takayuki Ogawa21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, that continues to propose design as culture that brings joy to life, will be holding the exhibition "SHIRO KURAMATA and ETTORE SOTTSASS" from February 2nd, 2011.
Japan's leading designer Shiro Kuramata (Nov. 29th, 1934 - Feb. 1st, 1991) and master of Italian design Ettore Sottsass (Sep. 14th, 1917 - Dec. 31st, 2007). The exchange between the two designers started with the 1981 "Memphis"(*1) collective that brought groundbreaking impact on the design world. The two, constrained by modernism, spoke through the language of design; Sottsass, with his background in Western European ideology, and Kuramata, with his Japanese aesthetics. The two dreamt together, sought beauty, cultivated a friendship, and never ceased to explore the possibilities of creation. Though different in expression, they together outshined functionality and convenience in pursuit of design that brings joy and a sense of surprise to life.
The exhibition features 65 pieces of transparent and precious works created by Shiro Kuramata after 1980, and 20 never-seen-before art pieces "Kachina"(*2) based on Ettore Sottsass's drawings created in his final years.
The meaning of design and making things is entering a phase of drastic transformation as the world demands us to reconsider the excessive commercialism and materialism that surround us. Please experience and enjoy a new encounter with spirited "design" of boundless freedom, found through the works of these two designers and their endless dreams and love.
(*1) A design collective led by Ettore Sottsass and formed by young designers and architects in 1980 when postwar high economic growth came to a pause. In 1981, the group held the first "Memphis" exhibition which created a great sensation, influencing architecture and design of the late 1980s.
(*2) Kachina are supernatural beings revered by some Native American cultures in the southwestern USA. Kachina dolls are symbols of these Kachina spirits. In recent years they have been seen as art and are stirring the powers of the human imagination. In Many artists, including George Nelson, Ettore Sottsass, and Genichiro Inokuma, have been inspired by Kachina.
- Title：
- Exhibition "SHIRO KURAMATA and ETTORE SOTTSASS"
- Date：
- 2011. 2. 2 (Wed.) - 7. 18 (Mon.)＊New exhibition period
Closed on Tuesdays (Except May 3rd) - Time：
- 11:00 - 20:00 (Entrance until 19:30)
＊Opening hours may change. Please confirm the latest information on main page. - Admission：
- General ¥1,000, University Students ¥800, High and Junior High School Students ¥500, Ages 12 and under may enter for free
（¥200 discount for a group of over 15 people)
Apr. 27 - Jul. 8 Special Admission：
General ¥1,000, University Students ¥500, High School Students and under may enter for free - Venue：
- 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT (Tokyo Midtown Garden)
9-7-6 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN
tel. +81(0) 3-3475-2121 - Access：
- 5 min. walk from Roppongi station on the Toei Oedo Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Nogizaka station on the Chiyoda Line
- 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; Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization,
Architectural Institute of Japan,
Japanese Commercial Environment Designers Association,
The Japan Industrial Designer's Association,
Japan Institute of Architects, Japan Interior Designer's Association
- Special Sponsor ：
- Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
- Supported by：
- KOKUYO Co., Ltd., KOKUYO Furniture Co., Ltd., TOSTEM CORPRATION
- In cooperation with：
- Canon Marketing Japan Inc., ISHIMARU CO., LTD.,
KURAMATA DESIGN OFFICE, MAXRAY INC.,
MIHOYA GLASS Co., Ltd., Studio Ettore Sottsass s.r.l.,
TOKI CORPORATION, YAMAHA CORPORATION
- Planning：
- Issey Miyake
- Exhibition Director：
- Yasuko Seki
- Planning Associates：
- Mieko Kuramata, Barbara Radice Sottsass,
Takao Ishimaru, Tomohiko Mihoya, Mitsumasa Fujitsuka
- Exhibition Space Design：
- Yasuo Kondo, Hisae Igarashi
- Graphic Design：
- Tamotsu Yagi
*Above information may change without notice.