21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT will hold an exhibition "Learning from Design Maestros" from November 21 (Fri.), 2025. Exhibition Directors are Noriko Kawakami, design journalist, and Kaoru Tashiro, curator and writer.

Human encounter provides avenues to think about the future of life and society. In this age of dramatically changing values, with its fast flows of mass information, we might wish to look back and consider masters who used design to articulate diverse viewpoints.

The exhibition introduces six towering figures under the label of Design Maestros. They are Bruno Munari (born Italy, 1907–1998), Max Bill (born Switzerland, 1908–1994), Achille Castiglioni (born Italy, 1918–2002), Otl Aicher (born Germany, 1922-1991), Enzo Mari (born Italy, 1932–2020), and Dieter Rams (born Germany, 1932–).

Some extended their work into teaching, assisting the development of future designers through education. But more importantly, all shared pioneering qualities, bringing new social insights. They opened up fresh eras by putting their hopes and beliefs into practice. This exhibition also includes the perspective of Shutaro Mukai (1932-2024) whose friendship with Max Bill and Otl Aicher laid the foundation for the Science of Design in Japan.

Acts of design that entail thought, creativity and communication are inseparable from life itself. The exhibition uses documentary film to show the human dimensions of the six designers' endeavors, in their own words, and puts this alongside their representative masterworks. It provokes in visitors a sense of what these designers expected from their followers, and how we too should be independent and proactive.

The role of designing grows wider and deeper in contemporary society. Today we place greater importance on interrogating our creative standpoints. This exhibition helps visitors to look back on the unforgettable design activities of these six pioneers, and consider what kind of message they may offer to our society, as we search for the unknown. The visitors are invited to ponder the significance of these designers' achievements.

We are sure that visitors to the exhibition will enjoy their encounter with these fascinating designers, and sensing their curiosity, inquisitiveness and courage.