The works of 300 Japanese designers and artists, including
folding fans, eco-bags and furoshikis (traditional Japanese
cloth-made wraps used to hold and carry items) feature in a large
exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Shanghai, which
will run until January 19 next year.
The exhibition, Eco X Design: Japanese Eco Goods Designed by 300
Designers and Artists, co-organized by MoCA Shanghai and Recruit Co
Ltd of Japan, displays some 800 eco goods that correspond to the
universal trend towards environmentally friendly products.
"In the 20th century, particularly from the beginning of the
1950s, Japanese mainstream society has absorbed, adored and adopted
modern Western designs.
At the same time, Japan has succeeded in integrating its
historical traditions into popular culture, and thereby
successfully creating its own style," said Samuel Kung, chairman
and director of MoCA Shanghai.
"While global warming is threatening our environment and
problems of polluting the eco-system are severe, protecting the
environment is a vital issue for sustainable development.
Through this design exhibition, MoCA Shanghai aims to discover
the combination of aesthetics and daily living that conveys a
respect and responsibility toward nature, ecology and thinking
green," he added.
The audience can explore the designers' individual concepts
concerning environmental protection, and witness the best and
emerging creations of Japanese graphic design and illustration.
"We are not here to decide which is the best work, but to invite
everyone to act every day to protect the environment, like using
fans rather than air conditioning, eco bags rather than plastic
bags, and furoshikis rather than wrapping paper," said Nobumitsu
Oseko, curator of the exhibition.
Besides, posters, videos and sculptures are also on display.
Time: 10 am-6 pm, Monday to Sunday; 10 am-10 pm, Wednesday,
until January 19
Place: Inside Renmin Park, 231 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 021-6327-9900
(China Daily December 22, 2007)