February 28, 2017

Japanese Design Today meets Filipino Discoveries in Design

Time can have the ability to change one’s image and the same goes for the design industry. As the time and technology advance, so does the techniques and the styles of design. The Japan Foundation, Manila together with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines present to you the Japanese Design Today 100 to celebrate the excellence of Japanese designs and its influence in the global design. The 100 examples that were presented at the exhibit best represent the Japanese design and diversity. The said items were carefully chosen by Mr. Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Masafumi Fukagawa, Shu Hagiwara and Noriko Kawakami.

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Wasara or disposable utensils that are durable and varies in design that even includes bowls and saucers

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Childrens’ bicycle that had no pedals were all the rage back then in Japan

Starting from the Classic Japanese Design that includes the Kikoman Bottle which is still being used as of today to the latest in cookware, apparel and accessories, highlighting the uniqueness and practicality of the designs, this exhibit also shows how the design evolves together with the technology and the diversity of techniques that are present in this century both in Japan and globally.

Celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the Japanese – Filipino Friendship, MET has included a parallel exhibit entitled Discourses in Design that displays the talents of the Filipino furniture makers and designers like Kenneth Cobonpue, Christina Gaston, Maricris Brias and so much more that uses indigenous materials that can be found in the Philippines. Ms. Myrna Sunico, director of the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) personally chose the artists in the exhibit and is proud that these designers are able to have such diversity, character and passion in their art.

Unique furniture designed by the infamous Kenneth Cobonpue