The iconic Kenya Hara brings a fresh perspective towards design

Kenya Hara, the design genius from Japan, is in Mumbai for the very first time. He delivered a Godrej India Culture Lab Lecture hosted by the Taj Lands End in Mumbai today called Exploring Emptiness. The successful affair was also supported by The Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry, METI - Japan, Japan Fashion Week Organization and Infinity Creations. During the lecture, he covered themes such as the concept of emptiness in the Japanese design culture, the Muji concept and its development, Asia as a global force in the world of design and finally, housing and lifestyle with an Asian identity. The discussion was attended by some well known personalities from Mumbai’s intellectual, creative, and business circuits such as Nisa Godrej, Aparna Piramal, Shilpa Gupta, Ashni Biyani and others. 

Mr. Hara emphasizes the design of both objects and experiences. He is the Creative Director of Muji, a retail brand which has redefined the global design language over the past two decades with its approach towards simplicity, minimalism, emphasis on recycling, and a no–logo philosophy. Much of his work, including the programs for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Nagano Winter Olympic Games and Expo 2005 is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Several books authored by Hara, including Designing Design and White, have been translated into a number of languages, including other Asian languages. Among the many roles that Mr. Hara currently performs, are Professor at Musashino Art University and President of the Japan Design Committee Co. as well as the Nippon Design Center. 

Speaking on his visit to Mumbai, Mr. Kenya Hara said, “I was looking forward to visiting Mumbai as I had heard a lot about the vibrancy and energy of the city and wanted to experience it myself. It is a delight to meet a wide range of designers, artists, businesspeople, architects and other creative industries professionals at this innovative platform. I will have to come back to the city and explore it further; two days is just too little!”

Mr. Parmesh Shahani, head of the Godrej India Culture Lab said, "The Godrej India Culture Lab is an experimental space that probes the textured nature of Indian modernity by cross pollinating conversations between academics, businesspeople, policy makers and the creative class. We hope that the connections that come out of the lab will help transform our city and country positively. We are delighted to have hosted the visit of such an iconic global design guru as Hara-san, and thereby giving his fans in Mumbai the chance to hear him first-hand. In a world of excess, Hara-san's design philosophy that focuses on simplicity is something that perhaps we can all be inspired by. It was an amazing talk that also brought up common links between India and Japan, civilizations that have such compelling histories and such different modern trajectories."

Birgit Zorniger - General Manager Taj Lands End commented, “Our philosophy has always been to promote and encourage the accomplished talents and artists to India from across the Globe, be it art, fashion or architecture. Any form of design is art, an expression that comes from within the artist, bringing out his unique aesthetics. We are glad that the icon in designing Kenya Hara is associated with Taj Lands End.”