MUJI’s Art Director Debuts Book Highlighting Significance Of Mundane ‘Cleaning’
If there’s one person who knows the heart of Japanese design, it’s Kenya Hara. Born in 1958, the graphic designer rose to the ranks of an art director at Muji in 2002.
Currently, he serves as the president of the Nippon Design Center Inc and holds the position of the head of the Science of Design department at Musashino Art University.
Throughout his storied career, Hara has chronicled his thoughts on design theory, with the publication of books such as Designing Design (2007), White (2009), Designing Japan (2018), and 100 Whites (2019).
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Now, exploring the concept of cleanliness, which holds a universally significant value across societies worldwide, is the creator’s latest book: Cleaning.
The tome delves into the multifaceted concept of cleaning, shedding light on its various dimensions. Within its pages are a diverse array of cleaning methods meant to expand one’s understanding of an activity that plays an integral role in life.
From the meticulous organization of a child’s toys to the intricate work of a clockmaker and the comprehensive cleaning of a ship, each process is portrayed with a serene fascination.
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Accompanied by succinct texts, the book acquires a semi-poetic quality, elevating the perception of these everyday practices with calm and contemplative accompanying images.
Perhaps, apart from offering readers both enlightenment and amusement, this exploration of a mundane task brings to light its significance and complexity, encouraging readers to view routine activities through a new lens.
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[via Creative Review and Lars Müller Publishers, cover image via Lars Müller Publishers]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been manually reviewed & edited.
