Presentation by Design Philosopher Kenya Hara
In the heart of Los Angeles, the arts community is buzzing with excitement as renowned Japanese designer Kenya Hara shares his unique design philosophy. On April 12th, over 300 people gathered at UCLA Broad Art Center auditorium to hear Hara, the art director for Muji, discuss emptiness and design, his work for the Japanese lifestyle company, and the Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE, a website project and exhibition currently on display at the Los Angeles Gallery.
UCLA Arts Dean Brett Steele introduced Hara, highlighting his past work deeply rooted in Japanese culture and aesthetic. Hara's talk emphasized the role of emptiness in design, a concept central to Muji’s minimalist aesthetic and product philosophy. This philosophy proposes that simplicity creates meaning through space and user interaction.
The Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE, an exhibition curated by Hara, is a showcase of paper's delicate and subtle qualities. The exhibition, running from April 13 to May 23, focuses on the subtle qualities of paper and design, emphasizing restrained yet powerful expressions through tactile and visual experiences. The paper’s texture, translucency, and form invite viewers to contemplate simplicity and depth beyond surface aesthetics.
Following the talk, students formed a long line to speak with Hara. The interaction between students and Hara became a lively discourse on the ways and means of design. Hara emphasized the role of sketching in design as a creative and humanizing process, a fundamental practice in articulating design ideas and addressing creative challenges.
The Los Angeles Gallery, located on the second floor of the Hollywood & Highland Center, is hosting the Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE. Hara wrote that the theme SUBTLE indicates the aspect of our senses, which, led by paper, becomes subtly and elaborately sharpened. Photos of the event were taken by Tyler Yin.
Kenya Hara's previous exhibitions include Haptic-Awakening the Senses (2004), Tokyo Fiber-Senseware (2007, 2009), Japan Car (2008, 2009), and Designing Design: Kenya Hara in China 2011. His books Designing Design and White are considered required reading for design students.
Hara's presentation and visual images were a fresh take on his 2008 UCLA lecture, focusing on the concept of emptiness. The event was presented by Los Angeles website and UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, among others.
For those interested in experiencing Hara's design philosophy first-hand, the Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE is not to be missed. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the subtle qualities of paper and design, inviting viewers to contemplate simplicity and depth beyond surface aesthetics.
- The Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE, currently on display at the Los Angeles Gallery, is a testament to Kenya Hara's unique design philosophy, deeply rooted in Japanese culture and aesthetic.
- Kenya Hara's talk at UCLA Broad Art Center emphasized the importance of emptiness in design, a concept central to his work for Muji, a Japanese lifestyle company.
- Design students should consider reading Kenya Hara's books Designing Design and White, as they are considered essential reading for those interested in design.
- The deliberate focus on the subtle qualities of paper and design in the Takeo Paper Show: SUBTLE invites viewers to contemplate simplicity and depth beyond surface aesthetics, making it a must-see for those interested in experiencing Hara's design philosophy first-hand.
