Kenya Hara – författare

Through some 300 objects this book explores contemporary Japanese design: from everyday objects and packaging to interior design and lighting elements. Ultimately the book aims to explore the way in which Japanese design manages to harness its materials – whether natural or synthetic – and at the same time combines respect for tradition with forward-thinking and experimentation.The objects featured were chosen because of their strong Japanese character and the influence this 'Japaneseness' has had on Western culture. Rather than following a chronological order or concentrating on the designers, this book focuses on the objects and is categorized by material, highlighting the strong link between design and material in Japan. There will be a general introduction and then each section will have its own individual introduction:  - Wood, Bamboo & Lacquer   - Paper   - Metal  - Fabric & Textiles  - Ceramic   - Synthetic/new materialsThe book will include examples from some of the most important Japanese designers from Sori Yanagi and Shiro Kuramata to Naoto Fukasawa and Tokujin Yoshioka and there will be an introductory essay about Japanese design by Kenya Hara.

White not only plays an important role in Japanese culture in general but also in the work of designer Kenya Hara. In 100 Whites, Hara gives one hundred specific examples of white—such as snow, Iceland, rice, and wax. On the basis of these examples he discusses the importance of white in design—not only as a color but as a philosophy. Hara describes how he experiments with the different whites he mentions, what they mean in the process of his work, and how they influence design today. 100 Whites is the extension of his previously published book White. The new publication explores the essence of white, which Hara sees as symbolizing simplicity and subtlety.

'Designing Japan' presents renowned designer Kenya Hara’s vision of how his industry can support Japan in crafting a future founded on a unique philosophy of beauty as well as crowd-sourced wisdom from around the world. A master collaborator, meticulous organiser, and globally conscious innovator, Hara draws on more than three decades of participations in design work and exhibition curating, as well as deep professional interaction with creators from many fields.In 'Designing Japan' Hara reveals methods that make publicly accessible aesthetic inquiries of how this island nation will proceed as its population ages, other nations take over manufacturing, and technology develops. Illustrations and examples recognise successful problem-solving through design, proving that it is a living, changing industry that remains relevant not in spite of, but as a partner to, advancing technology.

"White" is not a book about colors. It is rather Kenya Haras attempt to explore the essence of "White," which he sees as being closely related to the origin of Japanese aesthetics - symbolizing simplicity and subtlety. The central concepts discussed by Kenya Hara in this publication are emptiness and the absolute void. Kenya Hara also sees his work as a designer as a form of communication. Good communication has the distinction of being able to listen to each other, rather than to press one's opinion onto the opponent. Kenya Hara compares this form of communication with an "empty container." In visual communication, there are equally signals whose signification is limited, as well as signals or symbols such as the cross or the red circle on the Japanese flag, which - like an "empty container" - permit every signification and do not limit imagination. Not alone the fact that the Japanese character for white forms a radical of the character for emptiness has prompted him the closely associate the color white with emptiness.

Cleanliness is a core value of societies around the globe. So much so that cleaning seems to be an inherent part of human nature and how we interact with and domesticate our environment. This book explores the concept of cleaning in all its various aspects and illustrates each cleaning method, thus expanding our conception of an activity that is such a big part of our daily lives. From a child sorting its toys, to the meticulous work of a clockmaker and an impressive deep-clean of a ship, each process is treated with the same gentle fascination. Short texts add a semi-poetic dimension. The portable book format invites readers to take this publication out into the world with them as they look at everyday processes with fresh eyes. Flipping through the pages of Cleaning is as enlightening as it is entertaining.

Visualize and Awaken deals with the question of how to see the world with new eyes. It is a summary of design research conducted over ten years in a seminar at the art college Musashino where Kenya Hara teaches and serves as a continuation of his earlier work Ex-formation. Awareness of the world emerges only after one has already entered an environment that feels self-evident. In other words, to become aware is to situate oneself within a network of cause and effect, where a sense of stability has formed in relation to one’s surroundings; learning that one action leads to another, interpreting signs and anticipating what comes next.As babies are born into this world, they use their sensory organs with full capacity, absorb the rules that govern their environment in and create an image of the world. To create new connections or uncover compelling phenomena in the world, we must observe this “obviousness” and try to step outside of it. The research exhibited here unravels the stable relationship between people and their environment, introducing unfamiliar modes of seeing and perception. It is an experiment that reframes the “ordinary” and the “unusual” while calmly observing the composition of “cognition.”