guide to DESIGNART tokyo 2024: must-see exhibitions and shows

DESIGNART TOKYO 2024: Reframing—The Beginning of a Shift

DESIGNART Tokyo returns this fall for its 2024 edition, unveiling its theme, Reframing—The Beginning of a Shift. Known as one of Japan’s largest design and art festivals, the event brings together leading creators in design, art, interior design, and fashion to showcase their work across various locations in Tokyo, one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. This year’s edition reflects on the overwhelming abundance of information in the digital age, which often reduces creativity to mere déjà vu. In response, DESIGNART Tokyo 2024 invites visitors to explore fresh perspectives and new values that defy conventional boundaries. Running from October 18th to 27th, 2024, the festival reaffirms Tokyo’s role as a global hub for innovative design and art.

In the run up of DESIGNART Tokyo 2024, designboom previews the themes, venues, and exhibitions set to enliven the Japanese city this month. Discover our list of highlights below.

all images courtesy of DESIGNART Tokyo

a collaboration with Perrier-Jouët & FormaFantasma

DESIGNART Tokyo 2024 announces Perrier-Jouët as its official champagne, highlighting a design collaboration with the Italian design studio FormaFantasma. This year, the esteemed Champagne Maison partnered with the design duo to create an architectural installation at the Ambonnay vineyard in the Champagne region, inspired by Perrier-Jouët’s commitment to biodiversity. In Japan, a limited edition of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2016 is available for purchase, accompanied by two glasses designed by FormaFantasma. This collaboration emphasizes the intersection of design, nature, and fine champagne.

Formafantasma’s design for Perrier-Jouët

The Official ‘Reframing’ Exhibition 

The Reframing exhibition at the 2024 DESIGNART Tokyo brings together 18 creators under the direction of four prominent curators from the fields of art, design, craft, and technology. Each curator brings their own distinct perspective—some exploring unique aesthetics, others using art to express their beliefs—yet the boundaries between their practices are increasingly blurred. With this exhibition, the Japanese art and design festival challenges conventional thinking and encourages viewers to question a world shaped by preconceived notions and limitations. Are our perceptions shaped by external influences, or do they reflect reality? Reframing invites audiences to explore these questions and uncover new insights that may shape an inspiring future.

The HYBE Design Team, spatial designer of the Reframing exhibition, have envisioned a minimalist space that encourages visitors to reflect on the present while contemplating the future. By using recycled materials in their solid form, the exhibition sets a new standard, emphasizing sustainable design practices.

venue: World Kita-Aoyama Building (3-5-10 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Jiabao Li, TransVision

AXIS Gallery – JOINT EXHIBITION: Woodwork

AXIS GALLERY’s exhibition highlights the versatility and timeless appeal of wood as a foundational material in furniture and interior design. Architect Koichiro Oniki’s ODS / Oniki Design Studio presents Forêt, a series of console and low tables inspired by the Japanese Kumiko technique. Takusei Kajitani introduces CONSENTABLE, which delves into the theme Deep Dive into What I Want, representing a decade of innovative design exploration. Shizuoka-based workshop iwakagu showcases custom-made wooden furniture that reexamines the relationship between home and woodworking. MARUHON offers high-quality solid wood flooring, emphasizing the natural beauty of oak, iron, and stone. Designer Shinya Yamamoto contributes pieces that balance simplicity and charm, blending elements of product design and sculpture. TGDA+639 (Gaku Takasu and Toshifumi Momose) explores ‘deconstruction and reconstruction’ through geometrically complex designs. The design unit tossanaigh features a sustainable dining table crafted from forest wood remnants. Together, these exhibits present a fresh perspective on the evolving potential of wood in contemporary design and craftsmanship.

venue: AXIS Gallery AXIS Building 4F, 5-17-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Di+Re products by TGDA+639

TIERS GALLERY

TIERS GALLERY hosts an exhibition featuring new works by four emerging interior product designers. Makio Nomura and Takeru Sato’s Farm and Build introduce the Straight Arm Chair and Najio Low Table, reflecting their approach to design as a process of cultivating and discovering new values. Hojo Akira, a member of the UNDER 30 program, presents a sofa concept that redefines the relationship between users and manufacturers by shifting focus away from traditional mass production priorities like quality control and inventory management. This design also integrates recyclable materials to emphasize environmental sustainability. Masaya Kawamoto unveils his PF Chair / PF Armchair, featuring unique color tones achieved through an experimental salt bath coloring process. Meanwhile, the design collective PULSE—comprising Rikiya Toyoshima, Shomu Taki, and Daiki Mitsui— showcases GROPING PROCESS, a piece that explores innovative combinations of materials and techniques to create new design values.

venue: TIERS GALLERY, 5-7-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

work by Hojo Akira

DESIGN TOUCH 2024 | TOKYO MIDTOWN

During Tokyo Midtown’s DESIGN TOUCH 2024, three creators will showcase their works under the theme Woven Design—Weaving the Future.

Saki Takeshita (Galleria 2F, in front of Lucien Pellat-Finet) presents Eeyo, a graphic work that dyes balsa wood—the lightest wood in the world—using hot air at nearly 200 degrees to transform its colors, turning greens into pinks and blues into reds. This innovative process allows for the graphical processing of uneven, curved, and three-dimensional surfaces while preserving the wood grain’s texture.

Yusuke Wakata (Galleria 2F, beside Lucien Pellat-Finet) showcases RE 47 CRAFTS, a project that upcycles local fruits and food scraps from Japan’s 47 prefectures into new products. By collaborating with local artisans, he redesigns traditional crafts using these materials, highlighting regional culture and potential.

AAAQ (Galleria 2F, in front of Aēsop), a duo of product designer Atsuro Miyako and user interface designer So Ohta, presents Visible Stress, which uses photoelasticity to visualize invisible forces, allowing viewers to appreciate the interplay of light created by pressure. This work encourages reflection on our perceptions of ourselves and our surroundings.

venue: Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 

Hibiya OKUROJI

Hibiya Okuroji, nestled deep in Ginza, features impressive brick arches over a century old and will host unique exhibitions along its 300-meter-long walkway. Aqua Clara, a leader in Japan’s water server market, will showcase bottle upcycling in collaboration with Honoka, a design lab known for enhancing the appeal of materials and processes. Cyuon, a powder coating factory in Fukuyama City, has partnered with Naoto Ogawa from Nomura Co. to create ‘unknown,’ an artwork that highlights the unique textures of coloring and metallic finishes wrapped in transparent hues, embodying the theme Make the World a Better Place Through Robotics. Yukai Kogaku, a robotics developer, will present PROTOTYPING☆YUKAI, displaying not only their current products but also the development processes and prototypes that serve as seeds for new innovations. Color and Wonder exhibit new designs, including the 2DEE wall storage, 2TONE stool, and VOX stool, along with a first look at an unreleased table made of CLT (cross-laminated timber). Additionally, aesthetics researcher and smoke artist Ochi Baku presents Nocturnal White, a piece that evokes the beauty of darkness through the delicate art of fluttering smoke.

venue: Hibiya OKUROJI 1-7-1 Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Aqua Clara × HONOKA｜ Trace of Water

KEF Festival of Space Immersed in Sound and Light

The KEF Festival of Space Immersed in Sound and Light showcases an exhibition by the UK-based audio brand KEF, founded in 1961. Collaborating with renowned designer Michael Young and Klein Dytham architecture (KDa), who designed the KEF Music Gallery in Aoyama, the event will take place at this gallery. Attendees can expect an innovative multi-colored display of stick lights designed by Young in the 1990s, paired with KEF’s LS60 Wireless Speakers, creating a captivating fusion of sound and light that highlights the artistry of all three collaborators.

venue: KEF Music Gallery Tokyo 5-5-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Sticklight by Michael Young

Stellar Works and sony Group Creative CenteR

Stellar Works showcases its mainstay collection in a workplace setting, emphasizing the future of workspace design. As a global furniture brand with a focus on high-end hospitality, the exhibition illustrates how Stellar Works’ products can integrate into various environments. The display highlights the concepts of Cultured Sensibility and Timeless Craft, showcasing how these ideas contribute to the evolving landscape of workspace design.

Meanwhile, the Sony Group Creative Center presents Create More Fun, an interactive exhibition at the Aoyama StellarWorks showroom. This exhibition explores the dynamics of CMF (Color, Material, Finish) and how these elements integrate across physical and digital dimensions. Visitors can engage with the various facets of design, showcasing Sony’s innovative approach to creating enjoyable experiences.

venue: Stellar Works Showroom Aoyama Bldg. 2F, 1-2-3 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Create More Fun by Sony

TOYOTA Structural Design Studio presents memories of cars

The TOYOTA Structural Design Studio presents an exhibition based on its Geological Design philosophy, focusing on minimizing resource use while enhancing product appeal through recycling and upcycling. Dubbed Memories of Cars: Material Transformation and the Scenes through Glass, the show incorporates unconventional materials like rarely recycled glass and slag, a byproduct from metal reuse. By using glass as a medium, the display aims to showcase the diverse properties and transformations of these materials, visually preserving the memories of their previous forms and integrating elements from automotive production.

venue: Seeen B1F 4-13-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Toyota presents Memories of Cars: Material Transformation and the Scenes through Glass

Nomura focuses on Being: What if furniture had a life of its own?

Nomura Co., Ltd. specializes in creating spaces where people gather, including commercial facilities, hotels, workplaces, expos, and museums. The Nomura design team seeks to reimagine the relationship between people and architectural objects, crafting environments that foster deeper connections and experiences. One of the challenges they address is the tendency to discard usable furniture due to a lack of emotional attachment. This exhibition explores how viewing furniture as something to ‘be with’ rather than merely to ‘own and use’ can cultivate a long-term bond, encouraging a shift in how society perceives and values these objects. Through experimental designs, the exhibition invites visitors to reconsider the evolving relationship between people and the items they interact with.

venue: GYRE 4F, 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Nomura’s exhibition explores how viewing furniture as something to ‘be with’

&T × Hiroko Otake explore Flow and Movement

The embroidery art brand &T, launched by TAJIMA, a manufacturer of industrial embroidery machines, presents an art installation in collaboration with contemporary Nihonga artist Hiroko Otake. Using upcycled fabrics and yarns, the installation addresses the ideals and challenges associated with technological development. The exhibit features interactive embroidered butterflies that light up when touched, along with three-dimensional embroidered butterflies that appear to flutter in mid-air. The sensory experience is designed to engage both children and adults alike.

venue: Spiral Esplanade (Spiral M 2F) 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Behind the scenes of Takram’s product design 

Takram, a design innovation firm known for collaborating with changemakers across diverse fields, spotlights its approach to product design in this exhibition. The display offers a behind-the-scenes look at the design process, showcasing actual products along with project documents and prototypes. It aims to explore how new value is created while meeting client requirements and maintaining high quality. The exhibition also features a talk event with Takram designers and client representatives to discuss insights and methods used during the project.

venue: SAS B1F, 3-56-3 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

image by Shinya Sato (Shinya Sato Photography office)

Cocoon Anatomy

Selected as a member of UNDER 30, Hiroto Ikebe seeks to revitalize the declining sericulture industry by reinterpreting its traditions and combining them with modern technology. His exhibition, COCOON ANATOMY, showcases a garment made from waste products of cocoons, highlighting the connection between materials and producers. By visualizing the process and history of textile production, the exhibition aims to reestablish an appreciation for sericulture in a world transformed by industrialization.

venue: foundation B1F, 9-5-12 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

image by Yasunari Kimura / FFP©

Cassina ixc – Renovated Aoyama Main Store exhibit

The recently renovated third floor of the Aoyama flagship store feature the original and select brand Cassina ixc, along with ixc. EDITION, CECCOTTI COLLEZIONI, and other styles that embody the concept of Casa (house), offering a fresh perspective on personal interior design. Visitors can also join a guided tour of the Cassina ixc. headquarters office, designed by Patricia Urquiola. This exclusive tour showcases the redesigned office space, which blends functionality and beauty to create a more vibrant and comfortable workspace environment.

venue: Unimat Aoyama Bldg. 1F-3F (store) 4F (office), 2-12-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

BRIDGE sofa & table / ixc. EDITION

FLEXFORM – BETWEEN THE FOLDS

Flexform Tokyo unveils its collection FLEXFORM, characterized by its timeless and elegant beauty. The 2024 series showcases craftsmanship with historical roots. This collection includes a reissued model by Antonio Citterio, who has been supervising the brand for 40 years. Additionally, a new armchair designed by Fumie Shibata, the first Japanese designer to join FLEXFORM, is on display.

venue: Flexform Tokyo, 6-4-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

ERI armchair Designer Fumie Shibata

Molteni&C presents MOLTENI MONDO. AN ITALIAN DESIGN STORY

Italian brand Molteni&C hosts a launch event titled MOLTENI MONDO. AN ITALIAN DESIGN STORY. The event celebrates the brand’s 90th anniversary and features a photo book that captures its legacy. The book, reminiscent of a film production, is photographed by renowned American photographer Jeff Burton. During the exhibition period, a special installation is also available for public viewing at Molteni&C’s headquarters in Italy.

venue: MOLTENI&C TOKYO, Almost Blue Building A/B, 6-4-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

image by Jeff Burton

A Sky Pocket by Manami Numata

Manami Numata holds a solo exhibition at sync public, located in the newly relocated office of sync Inc. Numata draws inspiration from the beauty of nature while living in her hometown of Hagi City. Her new series, themed around the concept of the sky, adds vibrant colors to her existing body of work, which often features maps and still lifes as motifs. This year’s exhibition also showcases a commissioned piece from a new series: a large-scale painting of the city of Tokyo. 

venue: Shin-Aoyama Building West Wing 1F, 1-1-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Sky Pocket by Manami Numata

Brian Alfred’s Golden Hour at MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY

Situated at the cultural crossroads of Jingumae in Tokyo, where Harajuku and Aoyama converge, the MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY presents Golden Hour, a solo exhibition by New York-based artist Brian Alfred. Drawing inspiration from traditional American painters, Alfred’s works depict scenes from his travels and significant moments in his daily life. He describes each painting as a snapshot of a shimmering life moment and a page from a visual diary. The exhibition captures fleeting glimpses of the experiences that resonate with us during our busy lives, evoking memories of cherished moments and reminding viewers of the beauty found in everyday life.

venue: 2-4-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Brian Alfred / RISING SUN, 2024, acrylic on canvas

Straft presents NEST exhibition

Straft, a member of the selected UNDER30, presents Exhibition NEST, featuring works made from rice straw, an object historically revered in Japan for its use in roofs, walls, daily tools, and Shinto rituals. This exhibition takes place at the KARAKURI Gallery in Tokyo. Through this exploration of the natural world, the creator aims to live in harmony with nature and delve into the essence of spiritual richness that is essential in today’s society.

venue: Keshiki B1F 6th Heiwa Building, 6-5 Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Terence Conran – Making Modern Britain

At the Tokyo Station Gallery, an exhibition titled Terence Conran – Making Modern Britain explores the character of Sir Terence Conran (1931-2020), a transformative figure in British life and culture known for his Plain, Simple, Useful design philosophy. It features a large-scale showcase of Conran’s work, including The Conran Shop, which he launched in the 1970s and played a pivotal role in sparking a design boom in the UK. Over 300 artworks and documents will provide insight into Conran’s personality, highlighting his accomplishments as a founder, designer, and entrepreneur across various industries.

venue: Tokyo Station Gallery, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

YOichi Ochiai solo show at Brillia Art Gallery

Dubbed Divine Duality: Sushi, Null, and the Eel Dragon in Edo’s Cyclical Time and Space, Yoichi Ochiai’s solo show at Brillia Art Gallery (BAG) explores religious spaces in the Edo period and the cyclical nature of time and space, based on the digital and computational philosophies. Ochiai’s research on the history of the Yaesu, Nihonbashi, and Kyobashi areas led to the creation of two central sculptures. The first, One Buddha, Five Ayu, Eight Eels, Triangular Rimmed Buddha and Beast Mirror, modernizes Buddhist elements within Shinto-Buddhist syncretism. The second, Eel Dragon, represents the reincarnation of the Dragon God. Together, these works cycle through day and night, inviting reflection on the relationship between time, space, and spirituality.

venue: BAG-Brillia Art Gallery-Tokyo Tatemono Kyobashi Building, 3-6-18 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Yoichi Ochiai solo show – Divine Duality: Sushi, Null, and the Eel Dragon in Edo’s Cyclical Time and Space

project info: 

name: DESIGNART Tokyo 2024
theme: Reframing ～the Beginning of a Shift～
dates: 18 October – 27 October 2024
location: Omotesando, Gaienmae, Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Hiroo, Ginza, Tokyo station area
organizer: DESIGNART TOKYO COMMITTEE
Founders: Akio Aoki (MIRU DESIGN), Shun Kawakami (artless Inc.),
Hiroshi Koike (NONGRID), OkisatoNagata (TIMELESS), Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture)