Philadelphia Museum of Art Presents ‘Naoto Fukasawa: Things in Themselves’ Exhibition

The Japanese designer’s first major showcase in the US.

Currently displaying at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is a dedicated exhibition featuring Tokyo-based designer, Naoto Fukasawa’s works. Entitled Naoto Fukasawa: Things in Themselves, the show is also the first major  US exhibition to spotlight Fukasawa’s career over the past 25 years.

From his time as MUJI’s design director to founding his independant studio in 2003, Fukasawa is both a promininent and  influential figure in the design world. Things in Themselves will feature a diverse range of his work, including fully-realized production designs, studio sketches and models for select projects. The exhibition aims to offer an in-depth look at his design philosophy, which emphasizes an essential fit between objects, users and their environments.

In addition, the exhibit also showcases works from the PMA’s collection that are being displayed for the first time, alongside loans from manufacturers and Fukasawa’s studio. It will further explore Fukasawa’s unique design language and philosophies — “super normal,” “outline,” “emergence” and “without thought.”

The Naoto Fukasawa: Things in Themselves exhibition will remain on view at PMA’s Collab Gallery 219 main building space until April 20, 2025.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-763-8100
United States