tadao ando major retrospective on show at milan's armani/silos

inaugurated during milan design week 2019 at armani/silos, the challenge – tadao ando is a major exhibition that explores the creative principles of the celebrated japanese architect tadao ando. first held at the centre pompidou in paris last year, this redesigned version of the extensive retrospective showcases comprehensively the architect’s original use of nature and the combination of elements like water and light in his creations.

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video © designboom

this is not the first time giorgio armani works with tadao ando. back in 2001, armani commissioned the architect to design the armani/teatro at the armani/silos in milan’s via bergognone. ‘in tadao ando’s architecture, I see an extraordinary ability to transform heavy materials such as metal and concrete into something truly exciting,’ comments the designer. ‘I very much like his use of light, a fundamental element that helps shape the character of spaces.’

the retrospective looks back at the different periods in the career of tadao ando and sheds light on his decisive achievements. it presents over 50 major projects all divided between four categories: primitive shapes of space, an urban challenge, landscape genesis, and dialogues with history. each one is illustrated with drawings, original models, numerous slideshows, and videos.

the central section of the exhibition features the ‘naoshima’ installation, a work which illustrates the architect’s dialogue with the natural landscapes of naoshima island. his rich and varied achievements are rounded off by graphite drawings, travel notebooks and photographs taken by tadao ando himself, which will be shown for the second time in europe, following paris.

‘tadao ando is an absolute master of architecture, with an unmistakable aesthetic style that comes very close to my sensibility. I honestly admire what he does. I’m very happy about this new collaboration and believe that armani/silos, with its austere, evocative atmosphere, is the perfect place to express the poetry and power of his work,’ explains giorgio armani.

as a self-taught genius, tadao ando — winner of the prestigious pritzker prize for architecture in 1995 — reflects on typical aspects of his work in a distinctive way: ‘I wish to create an architecture that will live on eternally – not in substance or form, but as a memory within people’s hearts,’ he explains. ‘as architecture encounters various phenomena, it activates new dialogues. it is these dialogues that speak to people’s souls. how can I shape these dialogues to be more fundamental and more fruitful? there is no single answer to this question as every project has its own unique context. this is what makes architecture challenging. this is why it is fun. and still today, after half a century, I remain eager to continue tackling the endless challenge of creating architecture.’