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KONNICHIWA!
A newsletter from Oki Sato, general producer.
News on the Japan Pavilion’s progress, and his thoughts for the day.
This and That
Meeting for the Uniforms for the Attendants.
Today, we’re thrilled to discuss the uniforms for the attendants who will be guiding visitors through the Japan Pavilion. This is our fourth meeting with fashion designer Yuya Nakata, and we’re close to finalizing the details. We’re focusing on ease of use and comfort, using 100% polyester fabric and enhancing recyclability by minimizing buttons and zippers. The uniforms are designed to be worn by anyone and can be styled in various combinations, making them versatile and inclusive. We’ll share more exciting features once the designs are complete!
There were over 2,500 applicants for the 270 attendant positions available! It's incredibly humbling and exciting to see so much interest in these roles.
We hope the attendants will love the uniforms as much as we do.
A big thank you to Mr. Nakata for his ongoing support!
This and That
This Is My First Business Trip to Paris in Months.
As I’ve been moving around the city for meetings, I’ve noticed preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games in various places.There are spectator seats set up on bridges spanning the Seine River, and Place de la Concorde has been converted into a stadium.
With the Olympics opening in just over a month, Paris itself is transforming into an Olympic venue, and it feels quite magical.
Thinking back to my involvement in setting up the Cauldron for the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing the new torch stand design.
This and That
Same White Shirt, Same Black Pants, and Jacket.
This simple wardrobe choice has spared me the daily dilemma of what to wear each morning for almost two decades. This habit not only minimizes the burden on my brain but also allocates all my mental space to the realm of design.
Garments follow a systematic routine, always starting from the left and replenished on the right after a trip to the dry cleaners. This meticulous cycle ensures even wear and tear, maintaining the longevity of my wardrobe. In this manner, my clothes gracefully follow a cycle.
Ugh, thanks to the Japan Pavilion, I find myself unexpectedly pondering the nuances of seemingly insignificant cycles around me...
This and That
Caring About the Details.
In our quest for perfection, drawings and computer renders alone don’t always suffice. That’s why we rely on spatial models, meticulously examining every detail.
Our process is a constant cycle―create a model, test its limits, refine it, then start anew. This iterative journey is both methodical and crucial. With each reincarnation of the model, the vision of the Japan Pavilion crystallizes. The resolution of our gaze upon the model progressively sharpens, revealing new challenges at every turn.
Yet, amidst this pursuit, the clock relentlessly ticks away. There’s so much left to do, and time is a fleeting companion... *sweats*
This and That
Progress, Day by Day.
Regular meetings, involving 20 to 30 participants, are conducted several times a month, each focusing on diverse themes such as architecture, operations, exhibitions, virtual experiences, biogas plants, uniforms, and public relations. On a separate occasion, Mr. Irobe, Mr. Watanabe, and I engaged in a lengthy discussion while examining a model.
The discourse deviated from the usual “linear” approach of addressing matters in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and reliability. Instead, it took on a more spontaneous, “curvilinear” form, with a free exchange of opinions centered around making the exhibition more enjoyable, understandable, and exciting.
I find these moments particularly enjoyable. As enjoyable as they are, another regular meeting awaits us in just a few days... *sweats*
This and That
Full-Scale Mockups
Full-scale mockups crafted from genuine materials are meticulously examined and discussed with the architectural team, covering colors, finishes, and other intricate details.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Nikken Sekkei, handling the design, and Shimizu Corporation, leading the construction!
Working alongside these dedicated individuals brings me immense joy, even though we still have a long journey ahead!
This and That
Stepping into a Cab at Shin-Osaka Station...
“Please take me to the Expo Osaka site on Yumeshima.”
“What?”
“To the Expo site, please.”
“Expo?”
“Yes.”
“The Expo isn’t open yet.”
“Yes, I know that, but I need to go.”
“I’m saying the Expo hasn’t started yet.”
Conversely, if the Expo had already commenced, we’d be in a bind. After three rounds of this exchange, I finally moved forward and reached the site. The current view reveals a vague outline of the Japan Pavilion, or maybe not.
It’s hard to articulate, but the foundation seems oddly charming. This might be the first time in my life that I’ve found a foundation to be cute. Perhaps I’m feeling a bit fatigued these days...
This and That
Stepping into a Cab at Shin-Osaka Station...
“Please take me to the Expo Osaka site on Yumeshima.”
“What?”
“To the Expo site, please.”
“Expo?”
“Yes.”
“The Expo isn’t open yet.”
“Yes, I know that, but I need to go.”
“I’m saying the Expo hasn’t started yet.”
Conversely, if the Expo had already commenced, we’d be in a bind. After three rounds of this exchange, I finally moved forward and reached the site. The current view reveals a vague outline of the Japan Pavilion, or maybe not.
It’s hard to articulate, but the foundation seems oddly charming. This might be the first time in my life that I’ve found a foundation to be cute. Perhaps I’m feeling a bit fatigued these days...
This and That
Full-Scale Mockups
Full-scale mockups crafted from genuine materials are meticulously examined and discussed with the architectural team, covering colors, finishes, and other intricate details.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Nikken Sekkei, handling the design, and Shimizu Corporation, leading the construction!
Working alongside these dedicated individuals brings me immense joy, even though we still have a long journey ahead!
This and That
Progress, Day by Day.
Regular meetings, involving 20 to 30 participants, are conducted several times a month, each focusing on diverse themes such as architecture, operations, exhibitions, virtual experiences, biogas plants, uniforms, and public relations. On a separate occasion, Mr. Irobe, Mr. Watanabe, and I engaged in a lengthy discussion while examining a model.
The discourse deviated from the usual “linear” approach of addressing matters in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and reliability. Instead, it took on a more spontaneous, “curvilinear” form, with a free exchange of opinions centered around making the exhibition more enjoyable, understandable, and exciting.
I find these moments particularly enjoyable. As enjoyable as they are, another regular meeting awaits us in just a few days... *sweats*
This and That
Caring About the Details.
In our quest for perfection, drawings and computer renders alone don’t always suffice. That’s why we rely on spatial models, meticulously examining every detail.
Our process is a constant cycle―create a model, test its limits, refine it, then start anew. This iterative journey is both methodical and crucial. With each reincarnation of the model, the vision of the Japan Pavilion crystallizes. The resolution of our gaze upon the model progressively sharpens, revealing new challenges at every turn.
Yet, amidst this pursuit, the clock relentlessly ticks away. There’s so much left to do, and time is a fleeting companion... *sweats*
This and That
Same White Shirt, Same Black Pants, and Jacket.
This simple wardrobe choice has spared me the daily dilemma of what to wear each morning for almost two decades. This habit not only minimizes the burden on my brain but also allocates all my mental space to the realm of design.
Garments follow a systematic routine, always starting from the left and replenished on the right after a trip to the dry cleaners. This meticulous cycle ensures even wear and tear, maintaining the longevity of my wardrobe. In this manner, my clothes gracefully follow a cycle.
Ugh, thanks to the Japan Pavilion, I find myself unexpectedly pondering the nuances of seemingly insignificant cycles around me...
This and That
This Is My First Business Trip to Paris in Months.
As I’ve been moving around the city for meetings, I’ve noticed preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games in various places.There are spectator seats set up on bridges spanning the Seine River, and Place de la Concorde has been converted into a stadium.
With the Olympics opening in just over a month, Paris itself is transforming into an Olympic venue, and it feels quite magical.
Thinking back to my involvement in setting up the Cauldron for the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing the new torch stand design.
This and That
Meeting for the Uniforms for the Attendants.
Today, we’re thrilled to discuss the uniforms for the attendants who will be guiding visitors through the Japan Pavilion. This is our fourth meeting with fashion designer Yuya Nakata, and we’re close to finalizing the details. We’re focusing on ease of use and comfort, using 100% polyester fabric and enhancing recyclability by minimizing buttons and zippers. The uniforms are designed to be worn by anyone and can be styled in various combinations, making them versatile and inclusive. We’ll share more exciting features once the designs are complete!
There were over 2,500 applicants for the 270 attendant positions available! It's incredibly humbling and exciting to see so much interest in these roles.
We hope the attendants will love the uniforms as much as we do.
A big thank you to Mr. Nakata for his ongoing support!