Japan House London

ABOUT SOU FUJIMOTO

Sou Fujimoto is a leader among Japan’s new generation of architects. Born in Hokkaido in 1971, a graduate of the University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture, Sou Fujimoto established Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. Among some of his most notable works include Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013, House NA (2011), Musashino Art University Museum & Library (2010), Final Wooden House (2008) and House N (2008).

SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE  

藤本壮介展　未来の未来

‘SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE’, is the inaugural exhibition at the Japan House London Gallery held in collaboration with Tokyo’s TOTO GALLERY・MA and part of the London Festival of Architecture. On show for the first time in the UK, the exhibition explores the innovative works of one of Japan’s most influential contemporary architects. Fujimoto’s vision of the future is not a fully imagined set of assumptions but is to plant the seeds of inspiration and potential. This exhibition looks at not only current projects but also Fujimoto’s architectural experiments for the future, asking the visitor to share in imagining a variety of futures of the future.

Commenting on ‘Futures of the Future’ Sou Fujimoto said:

“Creating architecture is like planting seeds of the future

When we design, we pay close attention to the context of the site, the requests of our clients, and the cultural and historical backgrounds of each local community. Our dialogues with a variety of such factors inspire us to create actual places. In other words, it might be the kind of work to give forms to latent possibilities that remain hidden in the real society. Therefore, if what we call future is defined as series of manifestation of possibilities, I would say that small architectural proposals that stimulate them are ‘seeds of the future’.

Wishing the seeds that are cast into the future will create another future, I decided the title of this exhibition to be “Futures of the Future.” Inspired by these seeds of open future, I would truly appreciate it if visitors could join us to imagine a variety of futures of the future.”

ARCHITECTURE IS EVERYWHERE

In addition, in The Shop at Japan House London Fujimoto also presents 'Architecture is Everywhere' which illustrates the concept of discovering architecture within the forms of everyday objects: the serendipity of finding numerous possibilities for new architecture. 

Commenting on ‘Architecture is Everywhere’ Sou Fujimoto said:

“Architecture, I think, is something that is first found and then made.

Just as our ancestors find their habitat in caves and woods, in modern times we discover ours among the many things we encounter in this immense built jungle. And it is a discovery like this that leads us to conceiving new architecture.

Here at this exhibition I'm presenting this concept of what I call ‘Found Architecture’. By placing scale human figures next to the ordinary objects found in everyday life or in contexts that might first seem coincidental, if not fortuitous, we would soon start to read these objects as architectural spaces. The discrepancy in scale in these pairings is serendipitous, and what lies beyond them is a prelude of new architecture.

Within this concept should underlie the question of discovery by chance vs. creation with intent.

Architecture could come into being from anywhere. I believe fostering that architecture-to-be into real architecture itself is also architecture. Onward architecture continues.”

SOU FUJIMOTO IN CONVERSATION WITH OLIVER WAINWRIGHT

THE DESIGN MUSEUM, TUESDAY 12 JUNE
Accompanying the exhibition is a lecture by Sou Fujimoto on 12 June, at the Design Museum, entitled 'Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future', followed by a session in conversation with The Guardian’s architecture and design critic Oliver Wainwright. In this evening talk, Fujimoto will discuss his philosophy of designing structures that connect nature with architecture and the possibilities of architecture in the future. 

SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE PREVIEW & LECTURE

JAPAN HOUSE LONDON, WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE

Following the event at the Design Museum, Sou Fujimoto will host a second lecture, private preview of the ‘FUTURES OF THE FUTURE’ exhibition and book signing at Japan House London. This invitation-only event has spaces available for press to hear Fujimoto discuss his work. Contact Japan House London’s Director of PR, Kylie Clark (Kylie.Clark@japanhouselondon.uk), if you would like to attend.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

‘SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE’ will be open to the public at Japan House London from Friday 22 June to Sunday 5 August 2018.

For more information, and to attend the press preview please contact Kallaway: jhlrsvp@kallaway.com or 0207 221 7883