Japanese graphic design from the postwar era to the present
Japan Modern Poster
This spring’s major exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark showcases a rich collection of Japanese graphic design. Visitors can experience a remarkable series of iconic posters from Japan which, beyond being visually striking, thought-provoking and often witty, also tell a story about Japan’s historical and cultural development from the 1950s to the present day.
★★★★★ – Berlingske
★★★★ – Kulturinformation
Top photo: Shin Matsunaga: JAPAN “Burn Up, Japan? Burn Out, Japan?”, 2001.
The exhibition opens with the pioneer generation who studied Western design and, in the years following the Second World War, developed their own distinctive styles. It also highlights the designers who flourished during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth and achieved international recognition. The narrative begins with this first generation, inspired by Western movements but quick to shape a unique visual language of their own, and continues with those who rose to prominence during the country’s economic expansion.
Visitors encounter works that reflect on the darker sides of society, address current issues and express a strong desire for peace. The exhibition also explores the clear influence of Western modernism and its fusion with Japan’s traditional aesthetics. The many iconic posters show how the unique Japanese poster tradition has evolved – and how the poster as a medium reflects its time.
Poster designed for the exhibition
The acclaimed Japanese designer Shin Matsunaga has created a new poster especially for the exhibition at the museum. The design explores the visual similarities between the Danish and Japanese flags. Matsunaga sees a clear connection between the two nations’ flags: in addition to sharing bold colours and a simple design, both are highly valued by their respective populations.
Japan Modern Poster is the largest exhibition in the museum’s history devoted to Japanese poster design. It has been organised in collaboration with the DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion, which has selected and lent the 110 works on display from its extensive collection.
