Kenzo Tange & Kengo Kuma Exhibition – Architects of the Tokyo Games
The Tokyo Olympics were held in 1964 and 2021. An exhibition at the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris, France, focused on the two stadiums designed by Kenzo Tange and KKAA, highlighting the differences in their historical contexts and the commonalities and contrasts between the two architects.
The Yoyogi National Stadium, designed by Kenzo Tange, symbolized Japan during its period of high economic growth with its monumental, vertical concrete form.
In contrast, the Japan National Stadium designed by KKAA symbolize Japan’s new era of declining birthrates, aging populations, and maturity through its horizontally integrated form blending with the earth and its extensive use of local natural materials (wood).
The exhibition also introduced both architects’ work in France, highlighting KKAA’s stance in focusing on French regional revitalization projects.
This exhibition contrasted photographs of the Yoyogi National Stadium by photographer Yasuhiro Ishimoto, who worked alongside Modernism, with photographs of the Japan National Stadium by contemporary photographer Mikiya Takimoto. It revealed that the four key techniques—“line,” “eaves,” “arch,” and “landscape”—were common to both architects, while also highlighting the differences in their respective eras.
Exhibition period: May 2 – June 29, 2024
