An exhibition of the "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT," a Japanese culture rediscovery project launched by former Japan national soccer team player Hidetoshi Nakata, will be held at the Panasonic Shiodome Museum in Tokyo from April 9th to June 5th.
The project is one of Nakata's ongoing activities since retiring from active play. It aims to rediscover the value and potential of traditional Japanese crafts, culture, and techniques that have been passed down for generations, and to promote their appeal to a wider audience. Each year, a theme is set for a single material, such as "ceramics," "washi paper," "bamboo," "stencil paper," or "lacquer." An advisory board consisting of critics and other experts teams up with craftspeople and artists to create works based on free and original ideas.
This exhibition, which marks the project's culmination, brings together approximately 30 never-before-seen works born from the collaboration of Japanese crafts with contemporary art and design. Of the five materials used in the exhibition - ceramics, washi paper, bamboo, stencils, and lacquer - nearly all of the works using bamboo, stencils, and lacquer will be on public display for the first time.
Ceramic works include "UFO Nabe," a collaboration between Nakata himself, ceramic artist Kasumi Ueha, and painter and sculptor Yoshitomo Nara; and "Hikariki," a collaboration between ceramic artist Akishi Niizato, contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima, and fashion designer Hiroshi Fujiwara. Other works on display include "Nuno Moare," a stencil-themed piece by stencil maker Isao Uchida, web designer Yugo Nakamura, textile designer Reiko Sudo, and product designer Toshiyuki Kita; and "Exquisite Pearls and Delicate Mother-of-Pearl: Lacquer Bangle," a lacquer-themed collaboration between Kanazawa College of Art Professor Shinya Yamamura and artists Teresita Fernandez and Vanessa Fernandez, TASAKI, and Nakata.
In addition, from 2pm to 4pm on April 23rd, a symposium entitled "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT and the Future of Japanese Crafts" will be held with Nakata, painter Mitsuke Masayasu, and ceramic artist Niizato Akishi. Also, from 2pm to 3:30pm on April 16th, bamboo artist Nakatomi Hajime will be holding a workshop entitled "Making a Bamboo Ball Pendant," and from 2pm to 4pm on May 7th, Hashimoto Shoichi, the 21st head of Deco Yashiki Honke Daikokuya, will be holding a workshop entitled "What is Paper Mache? - Let's Paint Cute Mame Daruma and Cat Paper Mache."
【Event Information】
"REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT Exhibition: Japanese Crafts Encountered by Nakata Hidetoshi"
Venue: Panasonic Shiodome Museum
Address: 4F Panasonic Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-5-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Dates: April 9th - June 5th
Closed: Wednesdays (open on May 4th)
Time: 10:00 - 18:00
Admission: 1,000 yen for adults, 900 yen for those 65 and over, 700 yen for university students, 500 yen for junior and senior high school students, free for elementary school students and younger
