In conversation with: Akira Minagawa and Ingegerd Råman @ Nationalmuseum

In connection with the opening of the exhibition Design=memory. Akira Minagawa & mina perhonen, designers Akira Minagawa, Japan, and Ingegerd Råman, Sweden, meet in a conversation led by Susanna Pettersson, former Director General. The evening includes a performance by the Japanese dancer Aoi Yamada.

Date and time: Thursday 22 February 2024

Photo: Ola Marton & Maximilian Marton.

Venue: The South Courtyard (Södra ljusgården), entrance floor

Ingegerd Råman made her first trip to Japan in 1982 and Akira Minagawa travelled to Finland and Sweden for the first time when he was only nineteen years old. These trips were followed by regular visits, which led to a wider knowledge of the design history as well as of the contemporary designers of their respective countries. Minagawa and Råman both agree that the experiences from their journeys – places, people and works of art and design – act like strong catalysts.

The talk is led by Dr. Susanna Pettersson, curator of the exhibition and former Director General at Nationalmuseum. It will include topics such as design and memory, tradition and aesthetics, inspiration and imagination. In English.

After the talk, expressionist dancer, actor and model Aoi Yamada will be on stage for an exclusive dance-performance. Aoi Yamada performed at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She models for Akira Minagawa’s fashion and textile brand Minä perhonen and appears in Wim Wender’s latest film Perfect Days.

Akira Minagawa & Ingegerd Råman. Photo: Yayoi Arimoto.

DESIGN = MEMORY
February 22nd−August 18th, 2024

Nationalmuseum Sweden’s museum of Art and Design

The exhibition “DESIGN = MEMORY” of Akira Minagawa & minä perhonen will be held in the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden.

“Design creates emotion. Emotions become memories. From memories come ideas, ideas return to design – I believe that design and memory are in a single cycle, and that each is the same energy in a different state.“ This is how Akira Minagawa describes the core idea, the circular flow, related to the forthcoming exhibition DESIGN = MEMORY that will be shown at Nationalmuseum from February 22nd.

minä perhonen started in 1995 and its creative activities has expanded from fashion to home décor, tableware, and eventually, to all aspects of daily life. minä perhonen has a long track record of international design collaborations with companies such as Artek, Kvadrat and Iittala as examples, and in Sweden with Klippan.

The exhibition will explore Akira Minagawa’s and minä perhonen’s design philosophy from the first ideas to the final products and even beyond: the experiences and memories of the users of the garments and design objects play an important role. Akira Minagawa likes to discuss together with his team how design can – and should – increase happiness in our daily lives. Good designs also ages with grace.

minä perhonen textiles and its original artworks, clothes, design objects, as well as Akira Minagawa’s artworks are all in a circular dialogue showcasing the creative process. The exhibition also reminds how the Nordic countries and Nordic design have always played a key role for Akira Minagawa. Even a wall painting will be created in the exhibition space and the latest example is collaboration with Swedish designer Ingegerd Råman will be presented for the first time to the audience.

Exhibition title: “DESIGN = MEMORY”
Akira Minagawa & minä perhonen

Date: from 22nd February to 18th August 2024
Venue: Nationalmuseum
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2 Stockholm, Sweden