Ishibashiya, in Miyagi Pref. Photo: Masako Nagano
Dear Shaded Viewers,
From April 27, 21_21 Design Sight will present a new exhibition TEMA HIMA: the Art of Living in Tohoku. The exhibition will focus on the "foods and living spaces" of the Tohoku region as seen through the eyes of graphic designer Taku Satoh and product designer Naoto Fukasawa, two of the three directors of 21_21 Design Sight (Issey Miyake is the third).
TEMA (effort) and HIMA (time) two qualities that still live on with the making of things in the Tohoku region. People work steadily as they wait for the long winters to pass. They live humble lives, close to nature harvesting and preparing their materials with the changing seasons.
Dried persimmons (Yamagata). Peeled persimmons dried in the sun.
Smoked pickled white radish (Akita). White radish smoked before pickling.
To prepare for the exhibition a team of designers, a food director, a journalis, film artists and a photographer delved into the rich tradition in the "foods and living spaces" of the six Tohoku prefectures. Focus ia on how farmers pass on their unique traditions; craftsmen, who breathe life back into handcrafts; workshops with young talents to examine new possibilities for making things…
Kuruma dried wheat gluten (Yamagata). Bread flour mixed together with water.
Traditional cheep confectionary (Miyagi). Mix air into the warm candy.
The exhibition introduces the Tohoku regions unique version of making things, "TEMA HIMA foods and living spaces" through about 80 items of actual products as well as all new footage and photographs. It will feature graphics designed by Taku Satoh and a space designed by Naoto Fukasawa.
Paulownia clogs (Fukushima). Paulownia trimming.
Akita-cedar bucket (Akita). Join the barrel hoops.
The goal will be to identify keys to the future of design by looking into the wealth of wisdom and creative ingenuity within the collective culture and spirit of the people of Tohoku.
Date: April 27 – August 26, 2012
Location: 21_21 Design Site (Tokyo Midtown Garden)
9-7-6 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan
Organized by 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, THE MIYAKE ISSEY FOUNDATION
Special Sponsor Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd
Special Cooperation: Toraya Confectionery Co.Ltd.
