From origami to hightech: Red Dot Design Museum Essen presents exhibition on Japanese design
Entitled “Under the Sign of the Circle”, the Red Dot Design Museum Essen in Germany presents an exhibition of Japanese products until 19 March 2017. From electronic drums to extravagant packaging to origami chair: Around 100 exhibits invite visitors to discover Japanese design. A special is that visitors can touch and test numerous exhibits.
The exhibition presents among others the luminaire series “IN-EI” by star designer Issey Miyake which was inspired by the origami folding technique. Moreover, the agency Bullet from Tokyo shows how to pack Japanese rice wine impressively: They created a packaging design which was inspired by koi carps. Since the focus of the exhibition is on technological innovations, for which Japan is well known, visitors can discover among others well-shaped cameras and smartphones. In addition to numerous current exhibits, the Walkman from Sony, which won an award in Essen back in 1986, serves as an historical example which is on show in “Under the Sign of the Circle”.
The title of the exhibition takes up a basic geometrical form which is considered to be perfect: the circle, which is located at the centre of the Japanese flag. It has no beginning and no end, and is a symbol for unity. This leitmotif is also reflected in the exhibition since it shows with which result Japanese designers and manufacturers connect different approaches: Traditional crafts are combined with state-of-the-art technologies and western influences are made consistent with the Japanese principle of harmony. All products, communication works and design concepts, which are currently presented at the Red Dot Design Museum Essen, stand out with their good design for which they were awarded with the Red Dot seal by international experts.
Until 19 March 2017:
“Under the Sign of the Circle: Red Dot awarded Design Innovations from Japan”
Red Dot Design Museum Essen
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site
Areal A [Schacht/Shaft XII], Kesselhaus [A7]
Gelsenkirchener Straße 181
45309 Essen
Germany
