Westbank brings Japanese layering philosophy to Vancouver
Westbank and Peterson are thrilled to co-present Japan Unlayered, an exhibition celebrating contemporary Japanese architecture, design, and culture, to be held Jan. 27 to Feb. 28 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.
Along with the hotel’s developers-owners Westbank and Peterson, Japan Unlayered is being curated by master Japanese architect Kengo Kuma of Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA), designer of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
The exhibition derives its name from the Japanese philosophy of layering, in which elements are overlapped to define an overall experience. “Design in Japan is deeply rooted in tradition, drawing on centuries of rich history yet constantly growing, consuming many influences while producing cultural outcomes that remain uniquely Japanese,” says Westbank president Ian Gillespie. “We hope this cultural richness and exchange of thinking with Japan will help Vancouver absorb the best of the world and at the same time develop its own unique esthetic. As a very young city, and one of the most multicultural cities in the world, there’s huge potential to cross pollinate ideas.”
The Japan Unlayered exhibit will be displayed over two levels of the Fairmont Pacific Rim, with the experience starting at the hotel’s entrance. There, a traditional Japanese teahouse is given a contemporary lift using a large-scale helium balloon which supports a delicate organza roof. Also at the entrance are exhibits of two of Japan’s iconic brands, MUJI and BEAMS, both of which will be debuting their renowned products to the Vancouver marketplace at their respective pop up stores.
On the second floor is a curated exhibition featuring Japanese design. In addition to a retrospective look at the architecture of Kuma, the exhibition will also extend to design from a wide range of Japanese fields and brands.
Not to be missed during the exhibit are the myriad Japanese culinary experiences being offered; among them — signature Gozen lunches served at the The RawBar created under the direction of Hiromitsu Nozaki, the head chef of two-Michelinstar restaurant Waketokuyama in Tokyo; the arrival of tea master Shinya Sakurai of Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience in early February; and a nine-course kaiseki dinner presented by Chef Nozaki on Feb. 8 for a limited number of guests. In the Lobby Lounge, guests will be treated to traditional teas and contemporary tea cocktails, in addition to sake and Japanese whisky.
For more information on Japan Unlayered, visit: www.japanunlayered.com.