Press Area

Kensington is embarking on a mission to rebrand and revitalise Kensington High Street. As part of London Design Festival (14-22 September 2019) two ‘creative crossings’ were unveiled to the public. These unique works of street art are designed by internationally renowned figures in the world of art and design and will lead visitors on a visual journey through the newly branded Kensington Creative High Street.

This project – the first of its kind to be unveiled on Kensington High Street – showcases designs from two local institutions, the Design Museum and Japan House London.

Opened on Kensington High Street in June 2018, the creative crossing design from Japan House is the work of Hara Kenya, Creative Director for the global Japan House project. Hara is President of Nippon Design Center, Professor at Tokyo's Musashino Art University and Art Director of MUJI. In the UK, Hara’s work has been exhibited at the Design Museum, the Science Museum and The Wellcome Collection.

Simon Wright, Director – Programming, Japan House London commented:
“The design of the Japan House creative crossing takes its inspiration from the character for the number ‘one’ in Japanese. It is representative of a single horizontal, finely crafted brush stroke with a simplicity which is, in fact, a culmination of carefully considered detail. This, we believe, conveys a refined subtlety and our particular Japanese sense of beauty. We hope that you will find many different and surprising aspects of Japan in one place at Japan House.”

The crossing from the Design Museum is the work of award-winning designer Sascha Lobe, Partner at design consultancy Pentagram. Chief Curator of the Design Museum, Justin McGuirk, notes:
“On the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus, the Design Museum is celebrating the female students and teachers at that most influential of schools. Often overshadowed in official histories, their names are now to be branded across High Street Kensington in Sascha Lobe’s very public graphical tribute.”

As part of the celebrations for London Design Festival and this artistic collaboration between the institutions on Kensington High Street, Hara Kenya gave a presentation about his new project ‘teikuhiko’ – a low altitude, high resolution tour of Japan - at the Design Museum on 21 September. More collaborations between the two institutions are being discussed for the future.

The art crossings project has been brought together by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council.

Cllr Gerard Hargreaves, Culture, Leisure and Community Safety Lead at RBKC commented: “We’re always looking to support and encourage a vibrant high street and if we can inject a boost of creativity into our spaces, like with this bespoke artwork project, then we’re happy to champion great talent.”

The two crossing designs were unveiled in early September in preparation for London Design Festival, 14-22 September 2019. The creative crossings are intended to remain in place for at least one year.

******************Notes to editors*********************

More information about developments on Kensington High Street can be found on the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s website, here:
www.rbkc.gov.uk/revitalising-kensington-high-street.

Find out What’s On in Kensington & Chelsea at https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/.

For further information about the Kensington Creative High Street initiative please contact:
Hollie Mantle, PR Manager, Japan House London: [email protected]
Design Museum Press Office: [email protected]

About Japan House
Japan House London is the new cultural centre offering visitors an experience of the best and latest from Japan. Located on London’s Kensington High Street, the experience is an authentic encounter with Japan, engaging and surprising even the most knowledgeable guests. Presenting the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology, it deepens our appreciation of all that Japan has to offer. Part of a global initiative led by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are two other Japan Houses in Los Angeles and São Paulo.

www.japanhouselondon.uk   @JapanHouseLDN

About the Design Museum
The Design Museum is one of the world’s leading museums devoted to contemporary design in every form from furniture to graphics, and architecture to industrial design. The museum is working to place design at the centre of contemporary culture and demonstrates both the creative richness found in all forms of design, and its importance. The museum’s program of exhibitions, events and publishing provides a means for understanding the contemporary world, potentially making it a better place.