Each bookstore will act as a concierge, recommending "the book you should read now" to FASHION HEADLINE readers. Every Thursday, each branch of the art bookstore "NADiff" will introduce a book they recommend. This time, we will be introducing the book recommended by NADiff Contemporary, a branch in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, Tokyo (located inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo). ■ "On the Beach 1 / On the Beach 2: Jurgen Lehl" by Jurgen Lehl, Kazuko Koike

"I remember the beautiful Japan. If it were possible, I would like to live in this country forever."

This is what designer Jurgen Lehl writes at the beginning of this book. After moving to Japan over 40 years ago, he also had a home on the beach in Okinawa in his later years, where he spent half the month. While visiting the beach with his dog, he was heartbroken to discover a mountain of plastic trash buried in the sand. He began collecting these items, along with beautiful coral and shells, and transforming them into artistic and practical objects, hoping to raise awareness of the current situation through his work. This book, which documents his activities, begins with a passage titled "The End of Civilization" and includes photographs of his collection of beach sandals and other items, as well as artworks he has created using these items. His message is strongly conveyed through the photos, which contrast the trash with Ishigaki Island's beautiful nature. The current exhibition, "Whose Place Is This? For Adults and Children alike?" (running until October 12th) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, displays colorful lampshades made from beach trash, found flip-flops, and sand mixed with a large amount of plastic trash, along with his photographs. These two books offer a glimpse into the space that directly reflects his philosophy: "We don't need anything that doesn't return to nature."

As no official catalogue has been published for the exhibition "Adults and Children Think: Whose Place is This?" currently being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, this is the only book featuring Jurgen Lehl's exhibited works. In these days when we are exhausted by various social problems, this is a collection of works that should be picked up now to remind us that we live on Earth.
【Book Information】
"On the Beach 1 / On the Beach 2: Jurgen Lehl"
Author: Jurgen Lehl, Kazuko Koike
Editor, Design: Matsumura Hideaki
Publisher: HeHe
208 pages, 130 pages / both A5
Published: July 18, 2015
Price: 2,000 yen, 1,800 yen
【Exhibition Information】
"Adults and Children alike Think: Whose Place is This?"
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Special Exhibition Gallery, 1st Floor
Address: 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Dates: July 18 - October 12
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (*Fridays in September until 21:00. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.)
Closed: Mondays (open on September 21st and October 12th), July 21st, September 24th Admission: Adults 1,000 yen; University and vocational school students and those 65 and over 800 yen; Middle and high school students 600 yen; Free for elementary school students and younger