The role of windows in architecture is the subject of an exhibition at Japan House

Directly from Japan House Los Angeles, the exhibition Windowology: Study of windows in Japan arrives in São Paulo, and will be on display until August 22nd with free admission. Igarashi Taro 's curatorial proposal aims to reflect on the role of windows in architecture, construction of social relations, in the arts and literature. Behind this idea is the Window Research Institute , a Japanese institution that carries out research on this element that, at first glance, may seem to have a prosaic role, but which becomes essential, especially in times of social seclusion such as that currently experienced by society. Through nine modules, the exhibition proposes different readings on the representation of the window in artisanal processes, in audiovisual productions, in the construction of tea houses, in contemporary architecture, in manga and in the various Japanese environments and their multiple formats, which were refining and adapting to the needs of different cultures throughout history . On display on the second floor of Japan House São Paulo, the exhibition explores the window through drawings, models, photos, videos, mangas and literary works , which seek to reveal to visitors windows as one of the most fascinating components of architecture and everyday life. people . To do this, it presents their different types and movements, their prominent position in environments and stories, as well as revealing their power, capable of connecting the external and the internal, allowing light and air to enter environments, protecting from the cold and rain and make it possible to observe others, nature and the movement of cities and people. In the Japanese context, architecturally, windows are mostly made of wood and are composed of columns and beams . The openings have peculiar characteristics: when a tategu (doors and windows) is moved, the space transforms into a room. fully ventilated. An example that reflects this use are the Japanese tea rooms ( chashitsu ), a special architectural program that brings together different types of windows in a small space, in particular, the Yōsuitei (room with 13 windows), a tea house that has the largest number of windows and which, in this exhibition, will be displayed as a full-size replica (scale 1:1) made of Japanese handmade paper ( washi ).

“Windows are full of symbolism and poetic attributions and valuing something that is next to us is not always an immediate perception. But just think about the consequences of their absence, especially in times of confinement and isolation, to understand why they deserve so much attention.” deference”, says Natasha Barzaghi Geenen , Cultural Director of Japan House São Paulo. For Igarashi Taro, in addition to their historical and architectural value, windows play a unique role during a crisis, allowing people to share hope and gratitude in a unique way . “Windows have always evoked specific behaviors in people from different regions and cultures. – and this diversity can still be recognized today, in the midst of the pandemic”, says the curator of the exhibition, giving examples such as “ going to the balcony to sing opera for the neighbors, sending messages of thanks to health professionals and passing objects through the window to ensure social distancing ”. Taro is a PhD in engineering, historian, architectural critic and professor at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. He was curator of the Japanese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2008 and served as artistic director of the Aichi Triennale. , in 2013.

About the Window Research Institute

The WINDOWOLOGY research project is part of the activities of the Window Research Institute and is based on the belief that windows reflect civilization and culture over time . This institute is dedicated to contributing to the development of architectural culture by collecting and disseminating a wide range of ideas and knowledge about windows and architecture, through the support and organization of research initiatives and cultural projects. Over the last 10 years, in addition to different areas of study, the Institute has also has been developing international projects that encompass themes related to architecture, culture and arts, with the collaboration of different research institutions, museums and private bodies, among others.

"WINDOWOLOGY: Study of windows in Japan" - Japan House São Paulo

From June 29th to August 22nd Paulista Avenue, 52 Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 4pm Free entry