Marking his first major solo presentation at a U.S. museum, Naoto Fukasawa: Things in Themselves will build on the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s existing strengths in modern and contemporary Japanese design, with a number of objects from our own collection displayed for the first time. Providing a much-needed opportunity to explore the significance of Fukasawa’s design ethos—from shaping electronics for Samsung’s global market to collaborating with artisan firms on small-batch fine furniture production—this exhibition will demonstrate Fukasawa’s advocacy for a design philosophy of longevity, accessibility, and subtle humor over novelty, ephemerality, or blatant commercialism.
MARU means circle in Japanese. Maru is strong and too pure, perfect shape, however a half Maru, half circle makes it more special and unique. This must be the universal beauty that humans can perceive. When many half circles come together, in different positions, a motion is created and seems like a rotational motion of the circles.
