The warp and weft of Finnish フィンランド･テキスタイルアート～季節が織りなす光と影

About the exhibition Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is pleased to announce a special exhibition ‘The warp and weft of Finnish Textiles’ to take place at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a Shinto shrine founded in Fukuoka, Japan in 905. This exhibition features Finnish design, which is undeniably influenced by ’s natural environment. It explores the contrast between the bright colorful spirits of Finnish design, the weft, and contrasts it with the culture’s strong dark roots, the warp. The out-doors exhibit will feature bright, fun designs while the interior spaces will be dedicated to more serious and dramatic design which draws its influence from the dark and emotive nature of Finland’s environment. Works by Dora Jung, Maija Isola and Fujiwo Ishimoto will be on display.

Details -The out-door venue, will feature the collaboration of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and , the world famous Finnish textile company, by situating textiles within the shrines’ natural historic grounds. -The works of designers such as, Dora Jung, Maija Isola and Fujiwo Ishimoto representing Finnish design and the designers’ view of nature will be on display in the museum. -This exhibition also explores the similarity between Japan and Finland through each country’s relationship with nature and the artists’ thinking process by concurrently displaying selected shrine artifacts alongside Finnish design. -A temporary shop created by ima, the interior designer of marimekko’s flagship stores will be installed in the entrance hall of the shrine museum.

Exhibited artists Dora Jung (1906-1980) textile designer/ artist She has and continues to be a popular designer of mostly woven textiles. She won the Milan Triennial Grand prix twice and designed table settings for . However, this exhibition focuses on her art that uses dark toned weaving motifs reminiscent of a house in winter and close in character to the homespun image of Northeast Japan.

Maija Isola (1927-2001) textile designer marimekko’s most famous designer, and the creator of such well known masterpieces such as the large abstract floral "UNIKKO" pattern, and the bold black and white “JOONAS” pattern. This exhibition however, will focus on other designs, which are both more earthy and darker. They are also more closely connected with her concept of nature.

Fujiwo Ishimoto (1941- ) textile designer An award-winning Japanese designer, who continues to have a significant impact on Finnish designs. He has worked with ‘marimekko’ as a textile designer since 1974 has produced more than 300 patterns. He has largely worked on natural motifs like flowers, trees and landscape which have connection with traditional Japanese sense of beauty and nature. In this show, his works act as a connecting Japan and Finland, in the past and into the future. ima (Kobayashi Takashi+ Kobayashi Mana) interior design unit A space design unit has experience in private housing, public space and individual products, with an ongoing focus on shop design. The unit actively extended its playground to overseas since 2010, working with ‘marimekko’. They have also been participating in art exhibitions in pursuit of new design possibilities.

Information Period: 1 December, 2012 - 10 March, 2013 Open hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (Ticket available until 16:00) Closed on Mondays (excl. 24, 31December, 7, 14 January, 11 February) Venue: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Museum and Shrine Garden 4-7-1 Saifu Dazaifu Fukuoka 818-0117 Japan Tel: +81(0)92-922-8225 Admission: Adult 400 (300) yen Website: www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/finlandtextileart/

Organized by Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Supported by Kyushu National Museum, Museum Centre Vapriikki, LOOK inc. Embassy of Finland, the Finnish Institute in Japan, Dazaifu Tourist Association Sponsored by marimekko Coordinated by biotope corp. Designed by ima Art Direction: Kei Maeda (M&C SAATCHI)