Shiro Kuramata’s Design: Microcosm in Memory
About the Venue

This exhibition, held on the 30th anniversary of his death, is an attempt to convey Shiro Kuramata as a person as well as a designer, using not only his furniture and interior works, but also image sketches, dream diaries, and the artist’s own words to trace the source of his creations. Many of you may have seen the works themselves, but learning about the person who created them will give you a new perspective. With this question as a starting point, the design of the exhibition space began.

In this exhibition, sketches and Kuramata’s own handwritten words, which are exhibited for the first time, are placed in contrast to the tense straight lines and curves created by craftsmen’s hands and machines. The aim is to coexist in one space the contrast between the soft lines drawn freehand and the precise lines found in furniture and interior works. In addition, the fixtures used in the exhibition are not newly created, but are repaired and reused from existing stages. This is not only an environmentally friendly design, but also an approach that resonates with the spirit of recycling and reuse found in Kuramata’s work.

The exhibition structure is divided into four rooms and unfolds chronologically from chapters 1 to 4. In the first half of the exhibition, chapters 1 and 2, three-dimensional works are arranged on a stage in different layouts: one row for chapter 1 and two rows for chapter 2. The timelessness of the works is highlighted by the materials used in the works, which incorporate transparency, monotone, and light.
In the latter half of the exhibition, chapters 3 and 4, the freehand lines are further extended, allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibit as if they were walking around in the sketches. The works are placed directly on the floor and are designed to be viewed at the height of use. Underneath the exhibited works along the freehand line are pieces of paper cut into small pieces from past exhibition flyers used at the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art. This creates a sense of unity between the exhibition space and visitors, allowing them to enjoy a visual experience reminiscent of snow and sand. This shredded paper strip arrangement was chosen because of its suitability for laying out curves. These pieces of paper were produced with the help of local volunteers. The task of creating such a large quantity of paper strips must have been difficult, but we were told that they cooperated with the museum as it was a pleasure to be involved in the display of the museum’s collection.

Miss Branch” is an exhibit that slowly draws you into its presence, shrouded in a misty veil. Lightly colored acrylic furniture invites visitors to become immersed against the slightly brightly lit white walls.

Toyama Prefectural Art Museum
Period: February 17 (Sat) – April 7 (Sun), 2024