World famous Japanese designer Ken
Okuyama is going to be an 'Ambassador' of the Italy Pavilion at
Expo 2025 Osaka too.
Okuyama has joined the list of Italy Pavilion 'Ambassadors' that
includes fashion designer Junko Koshino, furniture and product
designer Toshiyuki Kita, conductor Tomomi Nishimoto, sculptor
Susumu Shingu and entrepreneur Yuzo Yagi, whom we have to thank
for the restoration of Rome's Pyramid of Gaius Cestius.
"It's an honour to have been chosen as an 'Ambassador' for the
Italy Pavilion and the theme of the pavilion, 'Art Regenerates
Life', perfectly reflects my philosophy," said industrial
designer Ken Okuyama.
"My goal is to be the designer of social systems, giving
importance not just to functionality or price, but also to
background and history.
"This is the philosophy of Ken Okuyama Design, which was
developed in Italy.
"I hope the Italy Pavilion can become a space of success, where
visitors can dive deeply into art and the possibilities it
generates".
Ambassador Mario Vattani, the Commissioner General for Italy at
Expo 2025 Osaka, said that: "the design philosophy of Ken
Okuyama, combined with his exceptional capabilities and his deep
ties to Italy, make him the perfect interpreter not just of the
Expo 2025 theme, 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives', but
also of the Italy Pavilion theme, 'Art Regenerates Life'.
"In Ken Okuyama we have an 'Ambassador' capable to embodying the
soul of Japanese and Italian design: beauty, innovation and the
know-how that has always distinguished our nation on the
international panorama," Vattani said.
Ken Okuyama's 'Orizuru Chair' will be on show at the ADI Design
Museum from March 23 to June 9 at the 'Origin of Simplicity - 20
Visions of Japanese Design' exhibition.
The show, curated by Rossella Menegazzo, the Head of Culture for
the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025, brings together works by 150
Japanese artisans and designers.
Ken Okuyama worked for Pininfarina Spa for around 12 years and
he was the first foreigner to design a Ferrari: the Ferrari Enzo
(2002).
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