Yesterday, I suddenly wrote “Reuniting with the Space” at the University because it reminded me of a classmate from my undergraduate days who worked as a spatial designer. While I am not a designer myself, my work has granted me access to trade shows held at venues like Makuhari Messe and Tokyo Big Sight with a press pass. I have also had opportunities to report on overseas exhibitions such as CES in the United States.
In recent years, there has been a trend of undervaluing trade shows, and there are certain reasons behind it. However, it brings back fond memories of that time when I came across the interesting coincidence of my former classmate being involved in the design of corporate booths. Despite having the chance to participate research labs in fields like art history, history, sociology, cultural anthropology, and more, I had little contact with them in the actual business and policy world after graduation. Yet, it is remarkable that I had some interaction with design students.
Now, shifting topics to expo-related issues making the news. There are several memories that come to mind in this field. When I traveled to Germany in the past, I studied at the University of Hamburg, located near the famous Hanover Messe. I remember many voters expressing their anger over the Hanover Expo, which they believed was a waste of budget.
On the other hand, during a voluntary seminar at the university, we discussed the space designed by Kunio Maekawa in the Steel Pavilion (which was clearly an imitation of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s style) at the previous Osaka Expo. We also touched upon the contemporary music program held there.
By the way, I am currently using facilities at the University of Tokyo reluctantly. In this field, Expo, there is a highly renowned professor at the university. I remember when I was an undergraduate, I met him outside of the school somewhere and made a comment, “Archives should be managed by private sector,” which got me scolded.
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