A Constellation of Japanese Architecture to Shine on New York

Do you ever look at an architectural work and think, “Oh that’s Japanese.”? We certainly do. And while I’d like to say it’s because we all have such keen eyes, there’s something more to it. As Portuguese architect and curator Pedro Gadanho puts it, there’s “a Japanese constellation” of shared architectural themes and sensibilities that travel across generations of architects to create a strong regional identity. It stands in stark contrast to individuality-based “star-system” often found in the West and is the subject of an upcoming exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Toyo Ito. Sendai Mediatheque, Miyagi, Japan. 1995–2001. © Naoya Hatakeyama

“The show presents a survey of architectural production since 2000, and reveals a network of influence and cross-pollination”

Toyo Ito. Meiso no Mori Municipal Funeral Hall, Gifu, Japan. 2004–06. © Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects

“A Japanese Constellation: Toyo Ito, SANAA, and Beyond” follows the work of Toyo Ito and the many alumni he mentored, which include the Prtizker-winning SANAA, as well as some of Japan’s most exciting up-and-coming architects. The show presents a survey of architectural production since 2000, and reveals “a network of influence and cross-pollination” which is the mechanism behind us looking at a home and saying, “yup, that’s gotta be Japanese.”

Here it is in a nutshell: “a Japanese Constellation” | image created by Spoon & Tamago and does not represent the views of the Museum of Modern Art

Kazuyo Sejima. Nishinoyama House, Kyoto, Japan. 2010–14. © Kazuyo Sejima & Associates

Given that we’ve written about each of these architects, we’re definitely looking forward to seeing them all in New York for this show.

The show will be on display at MoMA from March 13, 2016–July 04, 2016. Given that it coincides with the 5-year anniversary of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, and that many of the featured architects have been involved in the Tohoku reconstruction efforts, the exhibition will also reflect how the architecture field is responding societal needs.