Philadelphia Museum of Art will open the exhibition “Naoto Fukasawa Things in Themselves” and will present the first major solo presentation at a U.S. museum of Naoto Fukasawa. This exhibition celebrates the Collab Design Excellence Award 2024 and will be open from December 13, 2024, to April 20, 2025.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art was founded as part of the Centennial Exposition in 1876, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United States’ independence, and officially opened later.

From the outset, it was designed not only as a traditional fine arts museum but also one that emphasized applied arts. It began as a museum that focused on crafts, furniture, architecture, and design. It is one of the first public museums in the U.S., boasting a world-renowned collection of approximately 240,000 items.

Furthermore, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Japan share a long-standing connection. In 1984, the museum hosted “Japanese Design: A Survey Since 1950”, the first exhibition in the U.S. dedicated to post-war Japanese design. The exhibition subsequently toured the Galleria dell'Triennale (Italy), the Düsseldorf City Museum (Germany), the Centre Pompidou (France), and the Suntory Museum Tenpozan (Japan) between 1985 and 1986.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has presented the Collab Design Excellence Awards. This award, hosted by Collab, the museum’s modern and contemporary design group, honors a designer of international renown. Previous recipients include George Nakashima (1986), Jonathan Ive (1999), Gaetano Pesce (2005), Frank O. Gehry (2008), Alberto Alessi (2010), Zaha Hadid (2011), Marc Newson (2013), Dieter Rams (2018), and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec (2021), each of whom has had exhibitions at the museum. And in 2024, Naoto Fukasawa was selected as the recipient. He became the first Japanese to receive this honor.

We invite you to visit this exceptional exhibition.

Exhibition Dates: December 13, 2024 ー April 20, 2025
Venue: Philadelphia Museum of Art Collab Gallery 219
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Opening Hours: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 8:45PM
Closed on: Tuesday, Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

philamuseum.org/exhibition
philamuseum.org/award

Naoto Fukasawa
Fumie Shibata

From October 9 to 12, 2024

The exhibition will be open to the public on the following dates.Please feel free to visit us.
9th：11:00〜15:00
10th：11:00〜16:00
11th and 12th : 11:00〜18:00

Venue : Gallery 5610
Organized by : Onao Co.,Ltd.
Venue Design : Naoto Fukasawa Design

onao.co.jp

“As you climb up the long and steep path step by step, you are so out of breath from the sheer steepness of the climb that it’s like you just keep looking at the ground under your feet and have no time to look around at the scenery around you. Suddenly, someone’s legs appear in your narrow field of view, and I follow them and look up to see a hermit standing there, not breaking a sweat. It is Achille Castiglioni.”
( book review by Naoto Fukasawa “Achille Castiglioni Design as Free Inquiry” Yosuke Taki Axis published in Dec. 2007 )

Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) was an Italian designer and architect representing the 20th century. His former studio in Piazza Castello in Milan was taken over by his daughter Giovanna and son Carlo and has been open to the public since January 2006.The Achille Castiglioni Foundation was established in December 2011. Exhibitions and studio tours attract everyone from children to professionals, making it a meaningful place to enter the world of Achille Castiglioni and experience the space in which he created his designs.

However, the foundation is currently facing eviction. The building’s owners have now asked the foundation to vacate the property. In response, journalists Antonella Galli and Pierluigi Masini launched a petition drive during Milan Design Week in April 2023. Over 11,000 signatures had been collected, as of July 2024.

NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN thinks that Achille Castiglioni's studio is an important place to preserve.The studio is a precious legacy of Italy and design, and an important place to pass on to the next generation. We kindly ask for your signatures.




Petition to save Achille Castiglioni Foudation



Foundazione Achille Castiglioni


Prize : Winner in Task Seating

Asari / Herman Miller

INTERIOR DESIGN 2023 Best of Year Awards

Prize(s) : Winners in Chandeliers

Lladró / Mokuren

LIT LIGHTING DESIGN AWARDS 2023

Discipline : Product : Gold Certification
Categories : Product Design in Small Series & Hand-Made / Lighting fixture in small series or hand-made : Platinum Certification

Lladró / Mokuren

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition

DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2023
Product Design award in the Furniture & Lighting category
Prize: Winner in Product Design/Furniture & Lighting

Lladró / Mokuren

DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2023

The October 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR, released on September 7, 2023, features a special section titled "Naoto Fukasawa's Current Location: DESIGNER, NAOTO FUKASAWA."

HIROSHIMA armchair designed by Naoto Fukasawa for maruni is in the G7 Hiroshima Summit from 19 to 21 May 2023

*Image courtesy of G7 Hiroshima Summit Official Website

Bags collection
www.uptoyouanthology.com

BLOCCO chair / BLOCCO stool / TO table / LAND
www.plank.it

Cinnamon sofa / Tuscany chaise longue
www.molteni.it

Black Tako chair and round table / Hiroshima armchair in ash
www.maruni.com

MOKUREN chandelier
www.lladro.com

A collection : home-office collection (desk, chair, lamp and partition)
www.kettal.com

AF/21 New faucet for ABOUTWATER
www.fantini.it

SO weaving chair
www.depadova.com

SO weaving chair
www.boffi.com

TETRAMI
www.bebitalia.com

Kuru Kuru - The Mud Turnner project
www.alessi.com

“As you climb up the long and steep path step by step, you are so out of breath from the sheer steepness of the climb that it’s like you just keep looking at the ground under your feet and have no time to look around at the scenery around you. Suddenly, someone’s legs appear in your narrow field of view, and I follow them and look up to see a hermit standing there, not breaking a sweat. It is Achille Castiglioni.”
( book review by Naoto Fukasawa “Achille Castiglioni Design as Free Inquiry” Yosuke Taki Axis published in Dec. 2007 )

Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) was an Italian designer and architect representing the 20th century. His former studio in Piazza Castello in Milan was taken over by his daughter Giovanna and son Carlo and has been open to the public since January 2006.The Achille Castiglioni Foundation was established in December 2011. Exhibitions and studio tours attract everyone from children to professionals, making it a meaningful place to enter the world of Achille Castiglioni and experience the space in which he created his designs.

However, the foundation is currently facing eviction. The building’s owners have now asked the foundation to vacate the property. In response, journalists Antonella Galli and Pierluigi Masini launched a petition drive during Milan Design Week in April 2023. Over 11,000 signatures had been collected, as of July 2024.

NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN thinks that Achille Castiglioni's studio is an important place to preserve.The studio is a precious legacy of Italy and design, and an important place to pass on to the next generation. We kindly ask for your signatures.




Petition to save Achille Castiglioni Foudation



Foundazione Achille Castiglioni


THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION's book "DESIGN SCIENCE_01" was released.

The science is definite and reliable. The design is abstract, indefinite, and somehow magical and mysterious. What do we find when we consider design as a science? Top runners at the cutting edge of their fields, including designers, novelists, ecological psychologists, anthropologists, visual space directors, and psychiatrists vividly depicts the knowledge that emerges from "DESIGN x SCIENCE," which switches the world toward the beauty by launching the sensory organs of people's awareness and interest in the quality of daily life and the environmental world.

Author
Naoto Fukasawa (Designer / THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION Founder)
Masato Sasaki (Ecological Psychologist)
Kaoru Mende (Lighting Designer)
Keiichiro Hirano (Novelist)
Tomoko Mukai (Visual-Spatial Designer / Design and Art Educator)
Yutaka Nakamura (Design Anthropologist)
Katsuhiko Kushi (Professor at Kyoto Institute of Technology)
Katsuyuki Toritani (External Director, Geniee,Inc.)
Nobutaka Matsuo (Patent Attorney)
Akio Koyama (Psychiatrist)
Tsunao Nagasaki (Designer / Professor at Tama Art University)

Edit
THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Website
Instagram

Publisher
Gakugei Miraisha

Buy
Amazon

From March 3 to June 25, 2023

Venue : 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT Gallery 1 & 2
Opening Hours : 10:00 - 19:00( Entrance until 18:30)
Closed on : Tuesdays (Except Mar.21, 2023)


It has become difficult to identify what an original is. We can be sure what it is not - imitation, copy, homage or influence. Among these "influence" stands apart as not implying conscious mimicry, and yet it is impossible to escape influence. What people unconsciously feel themselves drawn towards is what we here call The Original. The power of The Original is such that it attracts. It is next to impossible to conceptualize a design that is not in some way indebted to The Original. The Original exerts influence, giving rise to trend, and so swiftly proliferating.

The above sequence is the norm. However, some Originals prove resistant to emulation. They possess an originality so intense that their shapes cannot be borrowed. Such Originals represent true excellence in design. Most, it must be said, were created about the same time as the word "design" came into being. Today we have moved on. As a society we have grown indifferent to design. People scarcely care what The Original is and what is the imitation. That state is because we are no longer sufficiently invested in the high quality entailed by The Original. I thought this a tragedy, and so planned the present exhibition.

I want visitors to feel how wonderful The Original can be. I want people to share my excitement.
Design tools have evolved dramatically so that anyone can produce beautiful lines and forms. This proliferation risks copy-and-paste jobs that take design down blind alleys.
Let's learn how amazing The Original is! Let's admit not just that we are influenced by such pieces, but let's be jealous of them! The greatest masters and regular people live to the same age, so let all of us use our time to create wonderful Originals for the future.
This is why we title this exhibition "The Original." It is fun, I believe, to search out something to which you can rightfully give that label.

Naoto Fukasawa

"THE DESIGN SCIENCE FOUNDATION" was established by Naoto Fukasawa.

Website: https://thedesignsciencefoundation.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_design_science_foundation

From April 10 to May 1, 2022, at HOMO FABER EVENT at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini (Venice San Giorgio Maggiore Island) will be holding an exhibition titled “12 Stone Garden”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa and Tokugo Uchida.

Homo Faber Event returns to Venice in 2022 to unveil an unprecedented cultural experience of craftsmanship with 15 immersive exhibitions. For its second edition, the event looks to highlight the excellence of master craftsmanship internationally. With a special focus on craftspeople from Japan, it spotlights the country’s venerated craftsmanship traditions and time-honoured skills, and showcases its influence on European creativity and craftsmanship.

”12 Stone Garden”　Curated by Naoto Fukasawa and Tokugo Uchida. On display are objects by 12 Japanese National Living Treasures, master artisans whose mastery of traditional skills makes them a valued part of the country’s cultural heritage. Among the exquisite works are kimonos, an urushi lacquered harp and a bamboo flower basket. All the objects are displayed on 12 stone-shaped blocks designed by Naoto Fukasawa.

Organised by the Michelangelo Foundation

homofaber.com

On April 15, 2021, Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. launched the Elevator designed by Naoto Fukasawa.
All the plane surfaces are uniform with one tone of color, conceiving a monolithic impression. The details are carefully crafted, the iconic shape of the ceiling lighting, the clear visibility of the buttons, the comfort of the handrails. Those elements create a beautiful space that travels up and down and brings a high-quality experience to the passengers.

http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3510/

iF DESIGN AWARD 2021
PLUS / team-demi

From March 19 to May 9, 2021, MUJI Ginza Atelier MUJI GINZA will be holding an exhibition titled “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa.

The Mingei Movement of folk craft and MUJI, although born of different eras, have each continued to question their origins in the context of consumerism, while also taking in the influence of changing trends and lifestyles. Produced with the cooperation of The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), the traveling exhibition, “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,” hoists high the MUJI banner in an innovative, forward-looking form. The exhibition offers visitors a message replete with guideposts to the future and opportunities to appreciate the beauty of mingei. The name MUJI is derived from the original Japanese, Mujirushi Ryohin, which can be translated as “no-brand quality goods.” As the name suggests, MUJI is all about creating products that serve a useful everyday purpose by subtly and modestly blending into day-to-day life. MUJI’s aim has been to become a useful part of people’s daily lives all around the world, whatever the setting might be—from the kitchen to the living room to the washroom. Our hope is that this exhibition will provide guests with an opportunity to take a good, close look at the philosophy that has always shaped MUJI’s craftsmanship, one product at a time.

In February 2021, Naoto Fukasawa and Emeco launched the Za stool collection.
A series of three-size stools handcrafted from recycled aluminum used everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
“Za” means 'a place to sit' in Japanese.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3441

From January 16 to March 7, 2021, MUJI Naoetsu Open MUJI will be holding an exhibition titled “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,”, curated by Naoto Fukasawa.

The Mingei Movement of folk craft and MUJI, although born of different eras, have each continued to question their origins in the context of consumerism, while also taking in the influence of changing trends and lifestyles. Produced with the cooperation of The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), the traveling exhibition, “MINGEI—The Shape of Beautiful Living,” hoists high the MUJI banner in an innovative, forward-looking form. The exhibition offers visitors a message replete with guideposts to the future and opportunities to appreciate the beauty of mingei. The name MUJI is derived from the original Japanese, Mujirushi Ryohin, which can be translated as “no-brand quality goods.” As the name suggests, MUJI is all about creating products that serve a useful everyday purpose by subtly and modestly blending into day-to-day life. MUJI’s aim has been to become a useful part of people’s daily lives all around the world, whatever the setting might be—from the kitchen to the living room to the washroom. Our hope is that this exhibition will provide guests with an opportunity to take a good, close look at the philosophy that has always shaped MUJI’s craftsmanship, one product at a time.

In September 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and maruni launched the Tako series, a new collection consisting of solid wood chairs and tables, using innovative industrial processes and traditional craftsmanship methods.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3363/

In September 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and PLUS released the new team-demi. Inspired by PLUS original palm-sized stationery set from 1984.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3323/

In August 2020, Naoto Fukasawa and HAY launched the Pao lighting series, an exciting collaboration on a collection of lamps.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3301/

In the AXIS issue, released on October 1, 2020, a dialogue about the brand book "True design" viewed through ALEXIS, was posted with Naoto Fukasawa, the designer of ALEXIS Shelf, the photographer Tamotsu Fujii and art director Kaoru Kasai.

iF GOLD AWARD 2020
- HITACHI / Air Purifier
ifworlddesignguide.com

iF DESIGN AWARD 2020
- SUS, ALEX / Alex Shelf
- TAOBAO Choice, ALIBABA / Elements of Life

On December 5, 2019, UP TO YOU ANTHOLOGY presented bags collection designed by Naoto Fukasawa at Corso Garibaldi, 116 in Milano.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3126/

2019 GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD
- MUJI / GACHA

2019 GOOD DESIGN BEST 100
- SUS / Alex Products Alex Shelf
- HITACHI / Air Purifier

2019 GOOD DESIGN AWARD
- TAOBAO Choice, ALIBABA / Elements of Life
- MUJI / ROUND CHAIR
- COTTO / OVAL
- JAKUETS / KAME

Embodiment by Naoto Fukasawa (Phaidon Press) received the Best Book of Contemporary Design in Richard Schlagman Art Book Awards.

whitechapelgallery.org

Naoto Fukasawa and COTTO announced the release of a unique bathroom series collaboration on March 2019. The Oval Collection includes a wash basin, faucet, toilet, showerhead, and a mirror. It utilizes the warm and elegant geometry of the oval to create a set of complementary elements connecting the human figure and the ambiance of the bathroom.
http://naotofukasawa.com/ja/projects/2814/

The cutlery series ITSUMO was released as part of ALESSI’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection at MAISON&OBJET PARIS on January 18, 2019.
http://naotofukasawa.com/ja/projects/2709

“Elements of Life”, designed by Naoto Fukasawa, was launched and released onto the market by Taobao Xinxuan, operated by China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., on December 3, 2018 at the International Design Museum of China (designed by Alvaro Siza, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province). This symbolic design was created using only square and round elements; rather than creating an impact on the user’s life, the products are inevitable elements that become one with their environment.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2356

Seventy three new products were released onto the market by TAIWAN GLASS on January 11, 2019. These form a series comprised of cups, plates, coffee cups and wineglasses made of glass and ceramics. The U-shaped cup for drinking water forms the design language base for the whole series, and each product has been unified under this language. The series was designed with a view to enhancing quality from the simplest acts in life.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/3130

“Monolithic Cookware” designed by Naoto Fukasawa was released by JIA Inc. on September 27, 2018. This is a series of light, durable pots made from cast aluminum and utilizing the latest Teflon processing technology. Slimming down the base of the handle intuitively highlights how easy they are to hold. This series was selected for Best meals on wheels at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2019.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2227

“A Special Dialog: Jonathan Ive x Naoto Fukasawa – Industrial Design That Changed the World” was printed in AXIS magazine’s February edition, released on December 29, 2018. This is a dialog between Apple’s chief design officer, Jonathan Ive, and Naoto Fukasawa. The two designers, both leading forces in industrial design, discussed the evolution of design.

21_21 DESIGN SIGHT holds the exhibition "MINGEI - Another Kind of Art" directed by Naoto Fukasawa, from November 2, 2018.

Naoto Fukasawa, together with three kilns producing Mashiko-yaki, launched BOTE & SUTTO, a new ceramicware brand; sales of the brand through IDEE’s Roppongi store commenced on January 25, 2019.
As the brand’s director, Naoto Fukasawa ascertained the clay, glaze and shape that constitute Mashiko-yaki, along with its history and background, and affordedan outline from the essence of these elements. Based on this outline, Fukasawa, Mashiko town and potters in the township worked together to create thirty six products, some on the thick side and some with a fresh feel to them.
http://naotofukasawa.com/projects/2290

A collection of Naoto Fukasawa’s works was released by British publishing house PHAIDON. This is the second collection of his works published by PHAIDON, the first being NAOTO FUKASAWA, published in 2007. The book contains stunning photos and accompanying explanations of more than 100 of his designs spanning the 10 years since his previous book was released.