TREMBLEY, Nicolas (cur.)
Mingei Now

The catalogue of an exhibition curated by Nicolas Trembley, that explores the presence and legacy of Mingei, the Japanese fold craft movement founded in the late 1920’s by philosopher and critic Soetsu Yanagi. Based on handcrafted art the movement originally finds beauty in everyday ordinary and utilitarian objects created by nameless and unknown craftsmen. Mingei Now associated works by historical masters with others by contemporary artists: ceramics by Shoji Hamada, Kawai Kanjiro, Bernad Leach, and Jiro Kinjo, were presented alongside pieces by Toshio Matsui, Ryuchi Kakurezaki, Kazunori Hamana, Masato Komai, Masafumi Onishi, Mai-Thu Perret, Natsuko Ochino; antiques objects in dialogue with works of contemporary designers Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and Sori Yanagi; coats, clothes, textiles, next to weaved works by Asakur Mitsuko, Brent Wadden, and Andrea Zittel; last but not least, the show included works by Dan Coopey, Matthew Luyz-Kinoy, and Lee Ufan.

The book Mingei Now comprises wonderful photographs of the works and the displays at Sokyo Gallery, with an introduction by designer Naoto Fukasawa, and an essay by Trembley that unfolds the logics of the project.

Published by Sokyo Gallery, 2020
Design by Yamaguchi Design Office
Exhibition Catalogues / Crafts