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Explore historical ties between design creativity and regional thriving in Japan in an extensively- illustrated talk by Sarah Teasley, Professor of Design at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Throughout Japan’s history, designers and makers have had to weather extreme disruption. The stories of the products, systems, relationships and communities created by designers and makers as old markets shifted and disappeared is part of a much larger story about design within national, regional and global movements of capital, people and ideas.
Precisely how people in the many local communities that comprise Japan’s rich culture of making and creativity have responded to these opportunities and changing conditions, however, is a very local story. As this talk elaborates, it is also a deeply historical one, and how communities have reshaped their craft to thrive in new conditions demonstrates skill, ingenuity and a commitment to community wellbeing.
As part of Japan House’s commitment to presenting regional ingenuity and resilience, and as a segue to the upcoming exhibition The Carpenters’ Line: Woodworking Heritage in Hida Takayama, this talk explores a rich variety of initiatives from the past 150 years, from wood, lacquerware and fashion to social enterprises.
Sarah Teasley’s book Designing Modern Japan is available to purchase in The Shop at Japan House London. Following the talk, guests who purchase a copy in The Shop will have the opportunity to have their book signed by Sarah Teasley herself.