In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Marimekko, the Finnish design house, will launch a major exhibition in Japan from July to June 2028. The exhibition opens in Kyoto on July 4 before traveling to Tokyo, Hiroshima, Fukushima, Toyama, Nagoya and Nagasaki. The tour is organized by TOEI Animation Co. Ltd., and in close collaboration with Hiroko Sakomura.
“Marimekko: Art of Printmaking — Beauty, Dream, Love” is a celebration of the brand’s 75-year creative legacy. The exhibition unfolds in three parts, each offering a lens into the brand’s lifestyle universe.
Serving as its conceptual foundation are the words of Marimekko’s founder, Armi Ratia, who wrote in her diary in 1926: “There is only one responsibility: beauty. There is only one reality: dream. There is only one strength: love.”
Designed as an immersive experience rather than a traditional retrospective, the exhibition highlights Marimekko’s forward-looking approach to the art of printmaking.
The first part presents a selection of around 70 Marimekko dresses spanning from the 1950s to the present day. It reflects the house’s philosophy of the dress as a canvas for bold prints and imaginative, often surprising color combinations.
The second part offers a dreamlike interpretation of Marimekko’s creative process through an interactive digital projection and an installation by Japanese artist collective Plaplax. Visitors are invited to explore different themes in printmaking, signature characteristics, and the processes behind the creation of iconic Marimekko designs.
The third part features a new creative dialogue with Japanese textile artist Akira Minagawa. This co-created installation recognizes the exchange between Marimekko and Minagawa and his interpretation of the brand’s design DNA through his own artistic practice. As part of the installation, Marimekko spotlights a new print by Minagawa designed specifically for the exhibition and produced at Marimekko’s printing factory in Helsinki.
AloJapan.com