-'Perfect interpreter of our theme and of Expo 2025' - Vattani-

ROME, Mar. 22, 2024 /ANSA=KYODO JBN/ --

World famous Japanese designer Ken Okuyama is going to be an 'Ambassador' of the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka too.

Okuyama has joined a list of Italy Pavilion 'Ambassadors' that includes fashion designer Junko Koshino, furniture and product designer Toshiyuki Kita, conductor Tomomi Nishimoto, sculptor Susumu Shingu and entrepreneur Yuzo Yagi, whom we have to thank for the restoration of Rome's Pyramid of Gaius Cestius.

"It's an honour to have been chosen as an 'Ambassador' for the Italy Pavilion and the theme of the pavilion, 'Art Regenerates Life', perfectly reflects my philosophy," said industrial designer Ken Okuyama.

"My goal is to be the designer of social systems, giving importance not just to functionality or price, but also to background and history.

"This is the philosophy of Ken Okuyama Design, which was developed in Italy.

"I hope the Italy Pavilion can become a space of success, where visitors can dive deeply into art and the possibilities it generates".

Ambassador Mario Vattani, the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, said that: "the design philosophy of Ken Okuyama, combined with his exceptional capabilities and his deep ties to Italy, make him the perfect interpreter not just of the Expo 2025 theme, 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives', but also of the Italy Pavilion theme, 'Art Regenerates Life'.

"In Ken Okuyama we have an 'Ambassador' capable to embodying the soul of Japanese and Italian design: beauty, innovation and the know-how that has always distinguished our nation on the international panorama," Vattani said.

Ken Okuyama's 'Orizuru Chair' will be on show at the ADI Design Museum from March 23 to June 9 at the 'Origin of Simplicity – 20 Visions of Japanese Design' exhibition.

The show, curated by Rossella Menegazzo, the Director of Culture for the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025, brings together works by 150 Japanese artisans and designers.

Ken Okuyama worked for Pininfarina Spa for around 12 years and he was the first foreigner to design a Ferrari: the Ferrari Enzo (2002).

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka