Wisdom and Design to Create a New Future of Noto

GOOD DESIGN Marunouchi, a communication space connecting design and society, is holding the exhibition “NOTO NEXT-Ideas beyond the Disaster-” through June 26 (Wednesday). This exhibition aims to create a sustainable future by transcending all boundaries, including age, occupation, and locality, and not to dismiss the Noto Peninsula Earthquake as a tragedy.

「See Other People’s Problems as Your Own

Six months have passed since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred on January 1 in 2024. Ishikawa Prefecture is long from north to south. The damage and recovery situation varies depending on the area, and traces of the earthquake still remain.

As interest in the affected areas declines over time, this exhibition will allow you to touch the heart of Noto, and begin to see other people’s problems as your own.

The heart of Noto is, for example, Wajima-nuri lacquerware, a typical traditional craft. Many of you may have heard the name, but may not know what kind of craft it is, what kind of history it has, who are carrying on the tradition, and how they feel.

In this exhibition, you can see a valuable collection of works with various techniques from the Edo period to the present day.

Talks on a variety of topics are held every weekend. A gallery talk was given by Masahiro Omukai of Koshudo, one of the leading companies in the lacquerware industry in Wajima.

In addition to the lacquer techniques that have been passed down, he explained the beautiful craftsmanship that requires skills, talent, and concentration to create delicate maki-e (sprinkled picture decollation) and other decorations, along with the history. Wajima lacquerware can be used not only as art but also in daily necessities. “The more high-quality the lacquer that is used, the more beautiful luster it exudes. I feel overwhelming love for it.” He said, “I would appreciate it if people could use it in such a way that it would grow into a bowl with good taste.”

In addition, a variety of speakers, including a government officer, creators, and students, are invited to participate in talks on topics such as reconstruction design and sustainable tourism.

Project from a Makeshift Studio

This exhibition started with a project to prevent craftsmen from stopping their work after the earthquake. It is said that craftsmen, like athletes and pianists, become desensitized if they do not move their fingers even for a day. Even though they lost their homes and studios, they had a strong desire to work while their hands remembered the movements.

The project was launched by Keita Suzuki, a product designer and director of the exhibition, for the desire of artisans and the future of traditional crafts. A collaboration has been created between Wajima-nuri and Kutani-yaki (a traditional craft in Ishikawa Prefecture). The Wajima-nuri artisans create new works through connecting Kutani ware damaged by the earthquake by using the kintsugi (an act of restoring broken pieces of pottery with gold) repair technique and the maki-e technique.

In this exhibition, reborn works such as pots and plates are displayed. Broken Kutani wares were repaired by kintsugi, decorated with maki-e, and transformed into elegant “works.”

Create the Future through Individual Voices

At the exhibition, survivors, supporters, artisans, writers, designers, and people from various walks of life talk about their feelings and perspectives on Noto, and share their experiences in thinking about the future.

There are a board and sticky notes in the venue. Visitors can write their thoughts or questions on the notes and put them on the board. You can also use the online whiteboard Miro on the website to express your ideas. Click here for Miro Board of NOTO NEXT-Ideas beyond the Disaster-.

When I asked Mr. Keita Suzuki, the organizer of the project, about the exhibition, he said, “I often hear people who want to do something for the Noto Peninsula, but don’t know what to do because of lack of information. This exhibition, NOTO NEXT, not only responds to their thoughts and provides a space to create ideas, but also exposes them to ideas, and inspires them to find what is right for them or what they want to do.

We have the opportunity to reflect your ideas in the venue and online. Please join us and watch the recorded talks. Let’s think about Noto together.”

Each person learns about the culture of Noto and the current situation after the earthquake, and has their own voice. A new future can be created through the collective wisdom gained from various perspectives.

Exhibition Name: NOTO NEXT-Ideas beyond the Disaster- Period: 11:00 to 19:00 on June 6 (Thursday) through 26 (Wednesday), 2024 Venue: GOOD DESIGN Marunouchi (1st floor, Shin-Kokusai Building, 3-4-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Admission Free Official Site: https://www.notonext.jp/

A Pop-up Shop Is Held at the Same Time!

During this exhibition, a pop-up shop is being held simultaneously at GOOD DESIGN STORE TOKYO by NOHARA (3rd floor, KITTE Marunouchi). A wide variety of items are available, including Wajima lacquerware, as well as lacquer works and kintsugi works created for the ongoing projects. We hope you will use them in your daily life. You will find out how wonderful they are.

Shop Name: NOTO NEXT STORE Period: 11:00 to 20:00 on June 5 (Wednesday) through 26 (Wednesday), 2024 Venue: GOOD DESIGN STORE TOKYO by NOHARA (3rd Floor, KITTE Marunouchi, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Official Site: https://gds.tokyo