21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

Opened in Tokyo Midtown in Tokyo and Roppongi in March, 2007. This unique structure was designed by the architect Tadao Ando. It has a huge iron plate as its roof that bends down and is inclined toward the ground. It is noteworthy that, from the aspect of design, this construction functions as a place where people who visit feel happy at the design, and experience a fresh surprise at it and its variety of art-related proposals.

Three designers assume the position of the director; Issey Miyake (clothes designer) who knows the current state of design and the site of production well, Taku Satoh (graphic designer), and Naoto Fukasawa (product designer). They have held a number of programs such as exhibitions, talk events, and a workshop with its associate director, Noriko Kawakami (journalist). Simple, deep themes such as "Chocolate", "Water", "Person", "Nature", and "Bone" are chosen in the special exhibitions. In these one designer directions an exhibition on a single theme, which aims to re-examine the image and concept of the traditional design exhibition. This attempt can be seen as a realization of the concept stated by Issey Miyake that, "The design is unsuitable to sadness. There is hope in the design. The function of the design is to send a surprise and pleasure to people" (Issey Miyake, "Let's create a design museum to make the best use of "resource" ,Asahi Shimbun, evening edition, January 28, 2003).

This name originates in the English language phrase "20/20 Vision (Sight)" which indicates having perfect eyesight. The name “21_21 DESIGN SIGHT” therefore implies a wish to be a place from which future visions are created.

* Photo right top: Photo by Masaya YOSHIMURA / NACASA & PARTNERS, Inc.