La Triennale Milan presented TAKEO PAPER SHOW to 27,000 visitors over the 6 days of the Salone Milan 2016,

The Japanese paper distributor TAKEO Co, Ltd, under the curatorship of Kenya Hara invited 15 creators including architects, illustrators, graphic designers and art directors to explore the material paper for their annual paper show.

Since 1965, TAKEO has produced its’ TAKEO PAPER SHOW, an annual exhibition with the purpose of contributing to the culture of paper with design and technology.

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred during the preparation of the 46th edition, forced a reconsideration of the history and significance of the show.

After two years of planning, and with art direction by Kenya Hara, the 47th edition focuses on the delicacy, resilience and important value of paper, with the intention to rethink and further broaden the possibilities for fine paper.

In turn, this finely bound and richly illustrated volume presents the shows contents: an array of paper types, paper objects and artworks, as well as highly creative applications for paper that push the boundaries of the medium

takeo paper show 2014 tokyo

In 2014, the 47th TAKEO PAPER SHOW took “SUBTLE” as its theme, exploring the fundamental attraction of paper.

The Takeo Paper Show was a display of art and design objects made from paper, showcasing how design and technology can advance such a simple medium.

takeo paper show 2014 tokyo

The exhibition includes original art works by designers include Kenya Hara himself, and many samples from public and/or private collections.

Some of the pieces were mind blowing, using techniques of laser cutting and perforations to create layered depth and pattern.

Triennale Milan 2016 Exhibition – ” Subtle ”  by Takeo Paper curated by Kenya Hara

The theme of the exhibition was “SUBTLE”, focusing on its delicate “ Subtle World” with paper as a medium to explore and re-discover the appeal of paper in a contemporary context.

Subtle was a visually appealing exploration of the wondrous physical capabilities of paper

The Triennale 2016 Subtle show was based on four perspectives on this theme:

SUBTLE | CREATION, which presented the concept of subtle as expressed by 15 creator

SUBTLE | COLLECTION, which explored and presented subtle phenomena that bring out delicate sensory perceptions

NEW RELEASE, which introduced new fine paper products

PAPER: A PORTRAIT, an expression of the primordial fundamentals of paper by photographer Yoshihiko Ueda.

The word “subtle,” has multiple meanings; it can be defined as delicate or sensitive, precise, fine or wise.

“Subtle” is delicate, but not small, and is in fact a concept linked to the infinite world of sensory perceptions, from which we would like to look closely at the future of paper.

The show is an experimental exploration around the theme “subtle”, an attempt to locate the roots of the allure of paper, that enigmatic incentive to the human experience.’

“Paper itself is not inherently delicate. It is the perception elicited by paper in the user that is delicate.

Paper is white and resilient. Its qualities affect us, awakening and nurturing exquisitely acute sensory perceptions that enable us to perceive even infinitesimal distinctions.

Experiences rich with sensory perceptions are cultivated and realized, thanks to this white medium, fragile, easily soiled, gracefully evolving.

Our senses enable us to perceive degrees of flatness, smoothness and softness imperceptible to precision measuring devices, they detect differences in color and flavour, indiscernible even by the most advanced sensors.”

The SUBTLE Takeo Paper Show, demonstrated works from different artists and designers demonstrating the unsuspecting power of subtle concepts visualized using paper.

Paper Reef by Fuukou

Control by Ryuji Nakamura sees paper being conveyed in its most controlled, vunerable state – the resulting object is an incredibly fragile structure with rings lined up and joined at individual points

Spring by Junya Ishigami – by rolling up gradated paper into the form of a pencil and shaving the ends, he created beautiful, one of a kind forms that emulate the fragility of flowers.

Drawings – tags and labels by Jinah Ham, hand drew in stunning detail labels and receipts she has collected over time as an alternative way of recording memories

The Hate You / Love You project by Yoshiaki Irobe, (who is a designer from Kenya Hara studio) printed colour only on the papers’ back, which then reflected on the base as a shadow. Here paper was used to display an ambiguous message through manipulations in colour and material

Samples of thick Washi, traditional Japan paper, which has nice texture made by layers of natural fibers.

Samples of business cards and envelopes with fine letterheads

Missing stamp

Kenya Hara presented cheap paper coasters – which are an art object when exhibited like this.

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Paper / Human / Paper by Bunpei Yorifuji

Spring by Junya Ishigami

Something like a necklace connected sharing a light contact by Yumiko Miyatai

Looking Closely by Guardere Da Vicino

Torafu Architects – a single thread creating a connection

Wrappers

Paper Fire starters

Kaorli Kasai – Stone that tries to pierce paper or paper trying not to let it do that

Moulded paper patisserie packaging

Moleskine books

Japanese traditional paper folding has many styles and each has each meaning and story behind them

Folded paper

Fans

Paper : A Portrait by photographer Yoshihiko Ueda was an expression of the primordial fundamentals of paper

This wrinkled paper was a black and white photograph by Yoshihiko Ueda

Triennale Design Museum,
Via Emilio Alemagna 6

About Kenya Hara

Kenya Hara is a Japanese designer who works in multiple areas of design, including: graphic design, industrial design, branding and curating. He has an active voice among the design community through his advocation for new design practice.

He also gained more widespread international attention in recent years for his public activities.

First, as a successful designer, he influences me a lot by his design works .

Kenya Hara’s unique eastern aesthetic was perfectly expressed by his works .

From his graphic design to his product, we can easily sense the meaning of ” Eastern Beauty.”

More than that, the deep understanding of the internal logic of things is also expressed by his works. For example, as a graphic designer, we can see his grasp of space and proportion.

As an industrial designer, his understanding of human nature is also creatively used in a subtle way.

As a branding master, the concept and expression are also combined perfectly by him (He is the director of life style brand MUJI).

Hara Design Institute is a design think tank.

While we continue to soundly function as an orthodox design office offering solutions to clients, we’ll place equal importance on proposing possible design projects based on our observations
of society and the world that will lead us to the discovery of new problems to be solved.

While the media environment is changing, communication methods and the meaning and role of design will undergo drastic change as well.

We work in all possible media and fields, bringing in outside talent and technologies when necessary.

Whether graphic design, architecture, products, websites, books, exhibitions, hotel direction, urban systems or navigation design, we provide solid, quality solutions.

If our site brings a possibility to mind, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We’re happy to work with any kind of organization on any type of project.

Note: Hara Design Institute has a staff of 20, including Kenya Hara.

Every project here begins with vision sharing among all.

About Takeo Co Ltd

TAKEO Co, Ltd. is a specialized paper trading company.

Since its foundation in 1899, it has contributed to the expansion of the market for paper by developing and making available a range of fine paper-high grade special printing paper that incorporates elements such as color, texture, pattern, and a refined sense of materials.

Working in collaboration with paper manufacturers around the world and adopting state of the art technology, TAKEO produces paper that stimulates the creativity of top designers.

With its focus on paper, design and technology, TAKEO continues to extend the potential of paper, contributing to the development and future of our society.