Danish ecologically-minded design permeates many facets of life. Ranging from chairs that showcase the natural unadorned beauty of Scandinavian wood, to tableware made from materials that are gentle on the environment, Danish design has even ingeniously produced a bicycle with a baby car attached to it.

After Singapore, Hanoi and Seoul, the "Italian Genius Now" exhibition will show in Tokyo at the Italian Cultural Institute from April 29th to June 8th, presenting about 90 works from the important collections of the Centre for Contemporary Art “Luigi Pecci” in Prato (Tuscany), as well as other Italian galleries and institutions. This exhibition was conceived as a multidisciplinary journey through Italian art and design of the last sixty years. It features some of the most famous examples of “Made in Italy” creativity through paintings, pictures, sculptures and design objects by artists and designers such as Ettore Sottsass, Gaetano Pesce, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Mimmo Rotella and Massimo Vitali. Italian Genius Now is a unique chance to admire some of the most interesting creations and results of Italian contemporary trends in art, design and fashion.

Light cloth made out of natural materials that wrap around you like a soft breeze, or a shaft of light. Vessels and earthenware with the warmth of earth. The rugged strength of iron tools. This exhibition is a celebration of natural materials and refined colors in these everyday products. It displays interior accessories in a gallery setting, showing them off to their best advantage just as they might have been deployed in a home. Advice and commentary on the most felicitous arrangements according to the size, shape and color of the room are also on display.

Eight years into the new millennium and the question arises: where are we headed, now that we live in the century once hailed as the future? This question is the springboard and theme for our third exhibition, starting on the first anniversary of 21_21 Design Sight's opening in 2007. The exhibition title refers of course to the 21st century, and by "Man", to those of us living here, now. The title also expresses a desire to place our hope in the future. The focus of this show is on the 21st century and its people as a means by which to explore ideas for building a better future for this century and beyond. Exhibition director Issey Miyake has done extensive research to prepare for the show, which includes a wide spectrum of Japanese and international creators, all of whom address today's many doubts and insecurities through their own individual form of creative expression. Please see the website for more information and related events.

- "Recently Donated Modern Nihon-ga from the Okuma Collection" Including 10 masterpieces by Taikan Yokoyama, a total of 47 works from the Okuma Collection are on display. The exhibition is divided into three parts [April 22nd (Tue) through May 18th (Sun), May 20th (Tue) through June 15th (Sun), June 17th (Tue) through July 13th (Sun)] - Modern Painting and Sculpture" Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Maurice Denis, Georges Rouault, Moise Kisling, Ryusei Kishida, Harue Koga, etc. - "A Chair with Casted Roses - Shiro Kuramata 'Miss Blanche'" Recently fabricated Kuramata's chair "Miss Branch" is on display. [Image: Shiro Kuramata "Miss Blanche" Designed in 1988/ Produced in 2007]

William Morris (1834-1896) was the most prominent artist and thinker of the 19th-century England, and still has a great influence today. In this exhibition, approximately 90 works, including stained glass model, which became the basis of his career as a decoration artist, original wall paper, textiles, furniture and small rooms with interior accessories of his time, will be on display. -Special Talk by Harumi Tsuda This exhibition's editorial supervisor Tsuda Harumi will consider with her audience the artist's thoughts and dreams by tracking back his artistry and social climate of his time.

Fumio Asakura is known as the father of Japanese Modern Sculpture. Originally built as Asakura's home atelier, Asakura Choso Museum has a permanent exhibit of his major works. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.