Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia

On October 4, Casa da Arquitectura in Matosinhos opened the exhibition Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia, conceived and designed by the studio of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The exhibition, which has already visited several European cities since its debut in Venice, now arrives in Portugal, which the architect believes to be “one of the highlights” of the exhibition's tour.

The exhibition presents some of his most significant buildings and consists of 22 models and 67 photographs relating to 19 projects, as well as 13 drawings and texts dedicated to the onomatopoeias selected for the Portuguese edition. The exhibition also includes 7 installations and 20 publications available for consultation, providing a comprehensive overview of Kengo Kuma's work.

To describe his architecture without mediation or complex theoretical constructs, Kengo Kuma conceived thirteen onomatopoeias that translate some of the key concepts of his work. By forging words that mimic the sounds they designate, the architect gives shape to a physical sensation that expresses his idea of sustainable architecture, in which materials are reused and people re-establish their connection with the physical world.

These elements give shape to a sensory and inclusive narrative, in which each onomatopoeia can be incorporated as an interpretative tool, emphasising the multisensory nature of Kuma's work and his humanistic and integrative approach to architecture.

By reviving Japanese traditions and the materials associated with them—wood, paper, metal—Kuma adds a contemporary interpretation. In his view, surfaces involve not only sight, but also the senses of smell and touch. Far from wanting a traditional presentation, Kuma emphasises that the project was conceived as a meeting place between cultures: “Architecture exhibitions are usually one-sided, but here I want a cultural exchange between Portugal and Japan”, he says.

The architect also explains that the initiative was designed to transcend the boundaries of the discipline and engage with different audiences. “Most architects tend to work only in the world of architecture, but our work is related to a vast group of people beyond that universe. That's why this exhibition was conceived to reach a wider audience”, he adds.

Regarding the space hosting the exhibition, Kuma highlights the uniqueness of Casa da Arquitectura: “It is a vast, very dynamic space. I think the liveliness of this space can echo our living architecture and create a new type of exhibition.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a parallel programme of activities that invites the public to immerse themselves in different expressions of Japanese culture. Between visits, workshops, performances, concerts and traditional ceremonies, each moment offers an encounter between visual arts, music, body and ritual: Visit here for more info.