Aiko Sugie | "Tsu-tsu-mu Exhibition: The Art of Gently Connecting the World Through Design"
The "Tsu-tsu-mu Exhibition" at Matsuya Ginza reframed 'wrapping' as an act of care and connection, showcasing examples from nature to contemporary design.Summary
The "Tsu-tsu-mu Exhibition: The Art of Gently Connecting the World Through Design," hosted by the Japan Design Committee as part of Matsuya Ginza's 100th-anniversary celebration, took place from September 26 to October 13, 2025. The exhibition uniquely approached the concept of "tsutsumu" (wrapping/enveloping), positioning it not just in terms of packaging but as an act that connects the inside and outside while caring for others, proposing it as a new typology of design. The display broadly covered examples under seven themes, ranging from natural prototypes like bird nests and eggshells to traditional Japanese origami, contemporary products, furniture, and architecture. The exhibition also included conceptual works, such as music that evoked a sense of gentle envelopment and a contribution by novelist Keiichiro Hirano. Furthermore, interview footage with eight designers and architects from the Japan Design Committee reinforced the core idea: valuing the act of wrapping connects to treating things meticulously, which ultimately translates into consideration and care for others.
(Source：artscape)