Tokyo Station Gallery, located inside the Marunouchi North Exit Dome of JR Tokyo Station, is hosting an exhibition of world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma's work, "Kuma no Mono: Kengo Kuma and Whispering Materials, Talking Materials," from March 3rd to May 6th.

The exhibition marks the culmination of approximately 30 years of projects in which Kengo Kuma has put into practice ideas such as "losing architecture" and "natural architecture," based on his deep knowledge of ancient and modern Eastern and Western thought.

Great (Bamboo) Wall 2002 Photo: Satoshi Asakawa
Focusing on materials with which Kengo Kuma has had an ongoing dialogue through his work, this exhibition attempts to provide an overview from the perspective of "things" by classifying and organizing his accumulated architectural and product designs not chronologically but by primary material (bamboo, wood, paper, stone, earth, etc.). By liberating "things," the exhibition explores the possibilities of architecture as a medium for human senses, consciousness, and the environment.

Ukian (Fuan) 2007 Photo: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Through exhibits such as models, mockups (full-scale partial models made from actual materials), videos, and material samples, the exhibition will introduce Kengo Kuma's work from various angles and present his vision for the future of how materials and humans will interact. It will also feature several pavilions from his past that allow visitors to enjoy spatial experiences, including a new pavilion that makes use of the properties of bamboo and the "Ukian" teahouse, made from balloons and extremely thin fabric.

Photography is permitted in almost all exhibition rooms, with some exceptions. Visitors will be able to share this exclusive space, and some of the materials on display will be tactile.

This will be the first architecture-related exhibition at Tokyo Station Gallery in approximately three years since "Tokyo Station: 100 Years of Memories," and the first solo exhibition by an architect in 12 years since "Kunio Maekawa Architecture." Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit.