"100 Projects by Enzo Mari" Exhibition

Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Tokyo

Finished

Artists

Enzo Mari

Master designer Enzo Mari (1932-) is a keen investigator of the essence of his discipline. He is widely recognized as both a practitioner and theorist in the Italian design world. In over 50 years in the profession, Mari has produced a large number of works that have broken new ground in international design history, winning a number of important design awards including the Compasso d'Oro. In addition, he has collaborated with traditional craftsmen and artisans and corporations from all over the world; while in Japan he has worked with Muji, Hida, and Hasami pottery artisans from Nagasaki.

This exhibition introduces audiences to Mari's design world through the collection of Kenji Nagai, an interior designer living in Fukuoka. Nagai's collection includes furniture, tableware and other pieces assembled from around the world with a sharp eye attuned to the beauty of modern design, attracting accolades from both Japan and abroad for both its quality and quantity. The works by Mari on display were accumulated by Nagai over a period of around 40 years, including many valuable works that are no longer being produced. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an appreciation for the deep philosophical perspectives that inform Mari's design work and by extension the singular creativity involved in the discipline of interior design.

Schedule

Nov 3 (Mon) 2008-Nov 26 (Wed) 2008