In March 2010 Ginza Graphic Gallery (ggg) will hold "Shigeo Fukuda's Visual Jumping," the third in a series of exhibitions of works in the DNP Graphic Design Archives.
A year has now passed since Shigeo Fukuda's sudden death in January 2009. The news of the passing of this graphic designer of worldwide renown came as a great shock to people everywhere, and the loss felt by his absence is deep indeed. The works he left behind, however, have been garnering ever-higher acclaim as a cherished legacy in the realms of both design and art, giving Mr. Fukuda an unshakable place in history.
In August 2009 the family of Mr. Fukuda generously donated the entire body of posters found in his studio to the DNP Graphic Design Archives. This exhibition at ggg, a special show in his memory and an event to commemorate the archiving of his posters, will introduce 108 works gleaned from the near 1,200 posters Mr. Fukuda created during his lifetime.
It is said that whenever Mr. Fukuda would come up with what he thought was a brilliant idea, he would leap from his chair and shout, "That's it!" The use of the words "Visual Jumping" in the exhibition title comes from his visual sequences indicative of this special feature of his vibrant creative activities.
The goal in mounting this exhibition is to shed light on how internationally outstanding and persuasive his posters, created in a flash of brilliance, are as a language shared by people worldwide. The appearance of "Victory 1945," a masterpiece that will remain within the history of design, was revolutionary in the way it transfixed people not only in the design field but people in all fields. This poster, imbued with sophisticated humor and Mr. Fukuda's inimitable wit backed by a cynic's way of thinking, today continues to enthrall people around the world. But it will be only one of numerous outstanding works, many less familiar, on exhibit. Visitors will also be introduced to messages from overseas as well as rare interviews of Mr. Fukuda taken at his studio and at various art museums, all brought together in order to introduce his creative setting and bring his achievements into sharp relief.
From GNP
