When Robin Boyd Went to Japan Exhibition
When Robin Boyd Went to Japan – an exhibition inspired by mid-century everyday life in Japan will open at Walsh Street on February 18th.
Curated by Marika Neustupny and Nigel Bertram, When Robin Boyd Went to Japan is a collaboration between the Robin Boyd Foundation, NMBW Architecture Studio and CIBI.
Robin Boyd visited Japan in the 1960s, wrote about Japanese architects of that time, and was Exhibition Architect for the Australian Pavilion at the Osaka Expo ‘70.
This inhabitation of Walsh Street has been inspired by thinking about everyday life in Japan during the period Boyd was visiting and writing about Japanese architecture. The 1960s was an era when Japanese architects’ voices were beginning to be heard internationally; Boyd was both part of the dissemination of knowledge regarding Japanese design, and indisputably influenced by the work he saw. A significant topic of discussion within Japanese design culture at the time was how the beauty and specificity of everyday life in Japan could be retained whilst huge post-war social and economic change was taking place; urban reconstruction, modernisation and westernisation all at once.
‘By exploring physical models of selected Japanese architect-designed houses from the 1950s to 1970s are presented, as well as 1:1 adaptations of Walsh Street, including bringing Japanese designer items into the home and making a library space for displaying documents from Boyd’s travels – we can imagine the kinds of cultural interactions Boyd engaged in’, says curator Marika Neustupny.
Exhibition tickets include a cold brew sencha tea and senbei to enjoy in the Walsh Street courtyard sun.
An accompanying program of pop-up talks and activities includes: Sunday 18 February 10 AM Curator floortalk with Marika Neustupny and Nigel Bertram & 1 PM Pop-up talk Japan through Boyd’s camera lens with Professor Philip Goad Saturday 24 February 1 PM Pop-up talk Green tea with Robin Boyd and Japanese Metabolism with Marika Neustupny and Christine Phillips
Sunday 25 February Slow Day at Walsh Street with CIBI
Thursday 29 February 1 PM Curator floortalk with Marika Neustupny and Nigel Bertram Saturday 2 March Indigo Dyeing Demonstrations with the Australian Tapestry Workshop Saturday 9 March 11 AM Pop-up talk Robin Boyd & Japan through our Archive Sunday 10 March 1 PM Curator floortalk with Marika Neustupny and Nigel Bertram
When Robin Boyd Went to Japan
18 February – 10 March 2024
290 Walsh Street
South Yarra VIC 3141
When Robin Boyd Went to Japan is generously supported by the Robin Boyd Foundation, NMBW Architecture Studio, CIBI, MPavilion, MADA, Monash University, Australian Tapestry Workshop, RMIT Design Archives, State Library of Victoria, Mainroad Marketing, Konpira Maru Wines, Four Pillars Gin and Molly Rose Brewing.
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