Kenya Hara Delivers Informative Presentation
Kenya Hara's Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE Captivates Los Angeles
Kenya Hara's latest exhibition, Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE, is currently captivating audiences at the UCLA Broad Art Center and Los Angeles Gallery. The event, presented by a Los Angeles-based website in collaboration with UCLA's School of the Arts and Architecture, Department of Design Media Arts, Department of Architecture & Urban Design, and Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies, invites viewers to slow down and engage sensorially with the subtle qualities of paper.
Hara, a renowned Japanese designer and curator, is known for his philosophy of minimalism and the beauty of "emptiness." His work as art director and curator for the Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE showcases this philosophy beautifully, inviting viewers to appreciate paper's delicate textures, translucency, tactile sensations, and its ability to convey meaning beyond just being a medium for printing or writing.
The exhibition highlights how subtle variations in paper—such as thickness, fiber arrangement, and surface finish—can evoke emotions and sensory perceptions. This mindful experience goes beyond the visual, encompassing touch and even sound.
During the event, Hara gave an in-depth talk, focusing on the concept of emptiness, a concept he developed through his work with Japanese lifestyle company Muji. He emphasized the depth and richness hidden in what might seem simple or mundane, aligning with his broader design philosophy that values restraint, quietness, and the power of subtlety in communication and aesthetics.
The discourse between Hara and the over 300 students, professors, and guests in attendance was lively, focusing on the ways and means of design. After the talk, students quickly formed a long line to speak with Hara. In response to a student, Hara summarized his perspective on design: "Working as a designer is a form of communication."
Photos of the event were taken by Tyler Yin. The event took place at the UCLA Broad Art Center auditorium on April 12th. The Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE will be on display from April 13th to May 23rd at the Los Angeles Gallery.
Hara wrote that paper's contribution to human history lies in how it has stimulated and inspired the creation of culture. This exhibition is a testament to that, offering a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the nuanced qualities of paper as a material.
- The art exhibition, 'Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE', curated by Kenya Hara, is currently showcased at the UCLA Broad Art Center and Los Angeles Gallery, promoting a sensory engagement with the subtle qualities of paper.
- As a renowned Japanese designer, Hara's philosophy of minimalism and 'emptiness' is beautifully demonstrated in his latest exhibition, inviting viewers to appreciate paper's delicate textures, translucency, and ability to convey meaning.
- The 'Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE' explores how subtle variations in paper can evoke emotions and sensory perceptions, going beyond just visual aesthetic, encompassing touch and sound.
- During the event, Hara emphasized that working as a designer is a form of communication, a concept he had developed through his work with Japanese lifestyle company Muji, thus encouraging the power of subtlety in design and communication.
