Twenty-first century Japanese design has been the subject of global attention. This design reflects the unique Japanese spiritual world of wa(和), or “harmony,” which blends conflicting concepts to sublimate them in to a higher dimension. This involves the combination of tradition and cutting-edge technology, natural and artificial, Japanese and international, and so forth to generate more outstanding creations.

As part of an event to commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2011, the Korean Foundation, in conjunction with the Japan Foundation, has organized the exhibition Wa: The Spirit of Harmony and Japanese Design Today, which takes this spirit of harmony as its them.

Planned by four leading Japanese design theorist - Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Masafumi Fukagawa, Shu Hagiwara, and Noriko Kawakami – this exhibition features a total of 161 representative works according to six keywords defining Japanese design, including “sensitivity,” “texture,” and “minimal,” as well as 12 categories according to the product’s function, including tableware, home electronics, stationery, outfits and sundries, furniture, and lighting apparatus.

Featuring a number of works by leading Japanese designers, including Sori Yanagi’s “Butterfly Stool” and Naoto Fukasawa’s “Humidifier Ver. 3,” Wa: The Spirit of Harmony and Japanese Design Today will afford an excellent opportunity to encounter the characteristics and philosophy of Japanese design.

Organized by The Korea Foundation, The Japan Foundation, Public Information and Cultural Center (Embassy of Japan in Seoul)