Lucie Rie exhibition, Tokyo
Lucie Rie is one of the fortunate grandes dames of design whose contribution was recognised whilst she was still alive. Indeed the Austrian-born, London-based ceramicist was actually made a dame in 1991 for a lifetime’s service to the arts.
Yet, barely a decade after her death, her name is far from a household name amongst the design literate today. Perhaps this is due to nothing more than the fact that ceramics are a relatively niche area, falling between art and design. We’re sensing a pleasing surge of interest in her work though, which a new exhibition at Issey Miyake’s 21_21 will bolster.
The exhibition is called U-Tsu-Wa, which means vessels, and brings together around 100 works of Lucie Rie, together with pieces by Scottish ceramicist Jennifer Lee and German woodworker Ernst Gamperl. Miyake enlisted the help of Tadao Ando for the exhibition design and, as you’d imagine with such a pairing of creative heavyweights, the result is surreal and spectacular. Centre stage is a gigantic pool of water on which Rie’s ceramics appear to float, highlighting the delicate fragility of her ceramics.
Miyake is something of a Lucie Rie fanatic and this is the second time he’s showed her work in Tokyo. He first discovered her twenty years ago by accident, stumbling across a book about her in a London bookshop. After visiting her studio he was hooked – ‘upon entering, meeting her and seeing some of her work I sensed ‘this is what it means to create’. I remember feeling energised as well as inspired’.
ADDRESS
21_21 Design Sight
Tokyo Midtown Garden
9-7-6 Akasaka Minato-ku
Tokyo 107-0052
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi almost become lovers in Luca Guadagnino’s Chanel No.5 campaign: watch the film
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi front the new Chanel No.5 campaign in a film directed by Luca Guadagnino and soundtracked by Daft Punk
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Art Basel returns to Paris: here is everything to see and do
Art Basel Paris 2024 (18 - 20 October 2024) returns, opening at the newly renovated Grand Palais
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
PAD London’s 16th edition is a blisteringly optimistic case for human achievement
At PAD London, collectible design is more than rarefied furniture; it is a compelling case for the uplifting power of craftsmanship at the dawn of the AI revolution
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a museum of creativity
Designart Tokyo presents global design highlights through a series of exhibitions involving global creative talent and traditional Japanese craft
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated
-
Exhibition in Japan celebrates all things Eames
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Eames design office, Tokyo’s Isetan The Space gallery hosts an exhibition (until 5 January 2022), highlighting some of Charles and Ray Eames’ most celebrated designs as well as new editions and collaborations
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Fashion brands leave their sartorial mark on Salone del Mobile 2021
Here we present the Wallpaper* edit of the finest fashion brands at Salone del Mobile 2021, from Dior’s ‘Medallion’ chair exhibition, which enlisted 17 artists and designers, to Valextra's collaboration with Tom Dixon, Gucci's debut Lifestyle collection, and the latest home offerings from Hermès and Armani Casa
By Scarlett Conlon Last updated
-
Fritz Hansen Tokyo HQ opens in Kengo Kuma-designed building
Fritz Hansen unveils a new Tokyo HQ, in a building originally designed by Kengo Kuma in 1991. In a new film created to mark the opening, the architect shares his creative vision and his views on both Scandinavian and Japanese design
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a living, multi-sensory museum
The third edition of the fair (18-27 October) showcases over 100 exhibitions across the Japanese capital
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated
-
How Tokyo’s creative universe is evolving at Designart’s second edition
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated
-
The things that define you: an exhibition of zakka at 21_21 Design Sight Tokyo
By Tom Howells Last updated
-
Tokyo Designers Week 2013: The highs and lows
By Catherine Shaw Last updated