With this exhibition, we emphasize the inspiring potential of the craft. For example, based on interviews with papermakers of Misumi (JP), we developed three speculative future scenarios that look ahead in time: 

Will future generations preserve the craft at all cost? Or will the noticeable drive of younger artisans to open up bear exciting innovative fruits? Or might even big multinational companies learn from washi after all, adjusting their production to artisanal knowledge and natural cycles?

The mise-en-scène of handmade paper in an industrial space like Nieuwe Instituut’s Gallery 3 was an inspiring challenge. We decided to emphasize this contrast through the materiality of the custom-made exhibition furniture.

Three future scenarios segment the first row and are brought to live by corresponding video testimonies. The visions get more palpable through material samples, microscopic views and interactive setups inviting people to explore the paper’s texture and pliability with their own hands.

Five sheets of paper surrounded by custom-made LED light rings are suspended in a diagonal formation. 

Working with choreographic light brings each sheet of washi to life, without moving them: Suddenly the front one lights up, and a shimmer flits along the row from one paper to the next, barely perceptible, an ephemeral flash. After this prelude the light continues to amplify characteristics like fibre structure of each type of paper. This spectacle is particularly visible for visitors walking down the aisle, immersing themselves in the washi cosmos.

The exhibition celebrated and shared this versatility with many. Over the three months roughly 1600 visitors saw it. The fact that ‘Washi Futurism’ formed a synergy with the events of MONO Japan fair and the Netherland’s preview of the cultural programme for the World Expo 2025 Osaka brought great visibility to the work. On these occasions, meaningful connections were fostered with individuals of diverse backgrounds (from the ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands to Dutch paper artists, to students).