Creativity Born from Disaster

The "Mirai no Sumika Project" was launched with the aim of promoting the United Nations University as a hub for diverse cultural exchange, an open space for Japanese society. This time, under the theme of "Creativity Born from Disaster," a symposium, exhibition, and networking event will be held.



First, on October 29th, a symposium will be held where domestic and international creators, researchers, and experts will gather to discuss "How to utilize wisdom and creativity?" "What can design and architecture achieve?" and "How can changes in lifestyle and living be connected to creation?"



Participants in the symposium include UN University President Conrad Osterwalder; Hong Kong designer Alan Chan, who works in a wide range of fields from CI and BI to packaging and product design; architect Kengo Kuma, who has been a professor at the University of Tokyo since 2009; Michael Young, a designer who has provided designs for many companies such as Cappellini, Rosenthal, and Sawaya & Moroni; and Katrin Greiling, an industrial designer, furniture architect, and photographer with numerous awards, whose clients include DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM, OFFECCT, and WALLPAPER. The moderator will be Teruo Kurosaki, founder of "IDEE" and currently CEO of Kurosaki Creation Group, active in various fields. Following the symposium, a networking event will be held where Noriko Okuda, who runs an organic farm in Kanra Town, Gunma Prefecture, with whom Certaldo in Tuscany, Italy, has had a 25-year exchange, will serve organic dishes.

Exhibition to Foster Creation and Connection

The exhibition, based on four themes: "Architecture," "Design," "Food & Agriculture," and "Energy," is not merely a display but aims to create a space that fosters opportunities for making art and building connections.



Throughout the event, there will be a case study of Kengo Kuma's "Mirai no Sumika," an exhibition of ideas for "Mirai no Sumika" showcasing house designs that reconsider living, dwelling, and existence, and a display of modern crafts curated by Teruo Kurosaki. Additionally, workshops will be held to explore the potential of next-generation energy by actually using solar-powered cookers and speakers.



On the first day, October 29th, a talk session and presentation on the theme of future societal visions will also take place with participants including NOSIGNER, Hirohisa Tsuboi, and Jin Kuramoto.



Admission is free for all events. More than half a year has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and perhaps now is the time for creation to emerge from destruction, much like after the Great Kanto Earthquake or after the war. We encourage you to take this opportunity to learn about the present and future envisioned by leading creators and to contemplate them together.

Mirai no Sumika Project: Creativity Born from Disaster

Dates: October 29th, 30th, November 5th, 6th

Venue: UN University Forecourt, UN University U Thant International Conference Hall

5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Free Admission

Organizer: United Nations University Cultural Association

Collaborating Organizations: NPO Farmers Market Association

Kurosaki Creation Group

Media Surf Communications

Kengo Kuma Lab

URL: http://mirainosumika.com/

*Times vary by event; please check the official website above for details.