Menu

Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow

Exhibition / Installation

Partner Programme

18 — 26 Sept 2021

Graphic Design & Visual Communications, Multi-Disciplinary Design

Japan House London

101-111 Kensington High Street,

London

W8 5SA

#Japanhouselondon

Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow explores the pioneering design strategy and lasting legacy of the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, which are often seen as a turning point for Japan. See the first ever sports pictograms, the original Games posters and the award-winning Tokyo 1964 symbol designed by Kamekura Yūsaku.

This exhibition shows how a group of young Japanese designers and architects harnessed the opportunity presented by the 1964 Olympic Games to reframe the country’s profile and tell a fresh story to the world. Their ground-breaking designs are important as they have informed the design principles of all subsequent major international sporting events. Running alongside Tokyo 1964: Designing Tomorrow is: Tokolo Asao [CONNECT] Individual and Group. Brought into the spotlight as the designer of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ Harmonized Chequered Emblem, Tokolo Asao is a trained architect and works within the interdisciplinary fields of art, architecture and design. Tokolo's work with patterns and geometric shapes is presented through a variety of 2-D and 3-D media including ceramics, urushi (lacquer), woodwork, Edo kiriko cut glass and canvas prints, many created in collaboration with expert Japanese craftspeople. This exhibition, which begins as an encounter with his geometric shapes in the building’s windows and continues onward through installations on each floor, presents a selection of pieces and ideas from Tokolo’s work over the past 20 years.