nendo designs akio hirata's exhibition of hats

installation view of akio hirata’s exhibition of hats all photos by daici ano

japanese studio nendo is responsible for the graphic and exhibition design of the first major retrospective of internationally-known milliner akio hirata‘s seventy years of work.

wanting to emphasize the carefully, handmade hats of hirata, for the overall scenography of the show, nendo has created a space that is the antithesis of the japanese craftsman’s work. 4000 white ‘ghost hats’ whose shapes were overseen by hirata, float and stream through the exhibition, like a shrouded cloud. they act as ghosts or shells of the ‘real’ hats on display, creating a dramatic contrast between the two. some of these ‘ghost hats’ act as exhibition stands, others walls, ceilings and diffusers, distributing light throughout. the arrangement of these hats do not define any clear-cut paths, but rather present an environment in which visitors can wander and discover hirata’s creations as they wish, a means of physically experiencing the creative freedom that underlies his work.

held at the sprial garden in tokyo the exhibition will run until july 3rd, 2011.

the overall scenography of the space designed by japanese studio nendo includes 4000 white ‘ghost hats’ which contrast the work of hirata

aerial view

the arrangement of ‘ghost hats’ flow through the space like a shrouded cloud

alternate view