"Future Beauty: Japanese Fashion: A Continuum of Discontinuity" is running at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto until May 11th.

The "Future Beauty" exhibition began at the Barbican Art Gallery in London in 2010 and has since traveled to five cities around the world, with Kyoto being the sixth city. Each city has its own unique exhibit related to the venue, and in Kyoto, works born from a collaboration between traditional Nishijin textiles and the latest dyeing techniques are on display.

Approximately 100 pieces are on display at the venue, organized into four categories: "In Praise of Shadow," "Flatness," "Tradition and Innovation," and "Weaving a Story." The exhibition features a selection of works by designers active since the 1980s, such as Rei Kawakubo of COMME des GARÇONS and Yohji Yamamoto of Yohji Yamamoto, who sparked new movements in the global fashion world, as well as young designers of the 2000s, such as Kunihiko Morinaga of ANREALAGE and Keisuke Nagami of hatra. The "In Praise of Shadows" section, located immediately inside the exhibition, features works in black and achromatic colors that caused a sensation in the European fashion world in the 1980s and became synonymous with Japanese fashion. On display are Rei Kawakubo's all-black knitwear and Yohji Yamamoto's dress, which was described by the Washington Post as "Swiss cheese" and features intentionally punctured holes in plain-weave white cotton. The exhibition compares the "impact of black" creations, freed from Western aesthetic sensibilities, to the "distinguishing between light and shadow" described in Junichiro Tanizaki's book of the same name.

The second zone, "Flatness," showcases works by Japanese designers that utilize the flat characteristics of kimonos and the mathematical calculations of origami, resulting from flexible thinking and meticulous work. Works by Issey Miyake and others, such as a garment that instantly becomes three-dimensional when lifted from the floor, highlight the fascinating aspects of fashion design.

The third zone, "Tradition and Innovation," showcases the history of Japanese designers' collaborations with textile manufacturers in material development. Visitors can see how designers' creations are expanded by technology, such as Junya Watanabe's dress, made from a highly water-repellent material, and Anrealage's coat, which changes color when exposed to UV rays.

The final zone, "Weaving a Story," features works by designers from the 1990s through the 2000s. The exhibition features works that convey a story that emerges from the dialogue between the wearer and the clothes, including works by 20471120, which is strongly linked to subcultures such as manga and anime; clothing by Aski Kataski, made from old leather and fabric collected from Paris flea markets; and the work of Yokoo Kaoru, who artistically mends holes in knitwear and frayed blouses.

In addition to the costumes, the venue also displays footage of shows from Paris Collections in the 1980s, as well as materials such as invitations from that time.


[Event Information]
Future Beauty Japanese Fashion: A Continuum of Discontinuity
Venue: The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Address: Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates: Until May 11, 2014
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays, last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: 1,200 yen for adults, 800 yen for university students, 500 yen for high school students, free for junior high school students and younger
Closed: Mondays (open on April 28th and May 5th)