It’s not just about us, but when an animal, plant, or a thing nears to the end of its role, part of it is carried on, transforming and taking on a new role. We all live through these connections.
When looking at this space between lives, people will notice that the world is made up of countless, tiny cyclical loops.
A full life may be one in which all life is respected with its meaning and value understood, and it might be lived as part of the entire cycle between lives. The relationship to nature and aesthetic sensibility that have flourished in this country are key to achieving this richness in life.
The pavilion allows visitors to experience such a “singular cycle” with no beginning nor end.
©Allan Abani
Japan Pavilion General Producer/General Designer
Oki Sato
Born in Canada in 1977, Oki studied architecture at Waseda University, graduating top of his class in 2000. He earned his master's degree from Waseda in 2002 and founded design studio Nendo that same year. With multidisciplinary studios in Tokyo and Milan, Oki's work spans a wide range of fields, such as architecture, product design, and branding, and has been recognized internationally with awards on several occasions, including in Italy, France, and the UK where he was named Designer of the Year. His recent major projects include the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cauldron, and he is also involved in the design of the new TGV trains for France's high-speed rail network.
Directors
©Masahiro Ohgami
Architectural Director/Exhibition Director
Tsubasa Shindo
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1991. Senior designer. He studied architecture at Waseda University and the Graduate School of Waseda University, and then studied abroad at the Institute of Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin before joining nendo in 2017. He conceptualizes architecture and installations through experiential perspectives to create memorable spaces. Aims to create spaces that visitors will remember, and conceives of architecture and installations based on experiences. A licensed first-class architect. Notable projects include “nendo: breeze of light”, “Escher x nendo: Two Worlds”, and “House of Stairs”.
©Masahiro Ohgami
Communication Director
Naoko Nishizumi
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1991. Senior designer. After graduating from the Department of Industrial and Craft Design at Musashino Art University, she joined nendo in 2014. As a graphic designer, she works on a wide range of projects using a cross-disciplinary approach, from graphics to product design. Major projects include the HANDS branding project, the overall design of the World Business Satellite (WBS) program, and product design for media luxe products.
©Masahiro Ohgami
Exhibition Planning Director
Takahiro Fukino
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1986. Senior Researcher. After completing a doctorate at the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he joined nendo in 2018. He plans and designs exhibitions that incorporate knowledge from the natural sciences, exploring the connections between science, technology, and society through a design-driven approach. His major works include the Suntory Museum of Art “uncovered skies”, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Cauldron, the “junwan” series, the Tokyo Midtown Christmas Tree, and TOKYO CREATIVE SALON “yawar:akasaka”.
(INPO）