Washi Futurism

The exhibition ‘Washi Futurism’ offers an immersive journey into the beauty, craftsmanship, and local material culture behind the traditional Japanese paper, Sekishu Washi. Based on a book publication of the same name, Washi Futurism invites visitors to dive into the cosmos of this unique paper through a floating, luminous paper installation, close-up videos of material tests, insights into production steps, and hands-on exploration of the paper’s texture and pliability.

The designers behind this work have collaborated with papermakers So Kubota and Masaru Nishita for over two years. In 2023, they visited them in Misumi, Japan, to learn about the craft firsthand. These family-run workshops, which have upheld traditional production methods for over 1500 years, maintain a balance with the natural and social environment. 

Inspired by this, the international team behind Washi Futurism aims to go beyond retro-perspective narratives. The exhibition focuses on current developments and experimental approaches of washi, showcasing the paper’s properties and rich history. In light of increased awareness of sustainable materials and regenerative systems, Washi Futurism encourages contemporary design, architecture and art practices to view traditional crafts not as relics of the past but as an integral part of our shared future.

Designers: Craft Portrait (Satomi Minoshima & Pauline Agustoni), Cream on Chrome (Jonas Althaus & Martina Huynh)

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