Client:
National Museum in Cracow
Year:
2025
Designers:
Katarzyna Pełka-Bura, Natalia Jakóbiec, Marcin Krater, Aleksandra Gwiżdż, Magdalena Giertuga
Photo:
Radosław Kaźmierczak
The exhibition showcases woodblock prints by the Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, who captured women from various social classes. The intimate exhibition arrangement guides visitors through his work, incorporating motifs of traditional Tatami mats and Shōji—sliding screens made of wooden frames and paper. These materials reference Japanese interiors, while the color palette is inspired by the Edo period, in which the artist created his works.
The typographic design is characterized by harmonious consistency, reminiscent of Japanese architecture. The typographic composition utilizes a square form as a grid module, reflecting the regularity and rhythm of Japanese architecture and its affinity for harmony. The square is also the shape in which Japanese characters are inscribed. A minimalist layout and typefaces are contrasted by a color accent, emphasizing selected parts of the description through bold lettering. In the case of longer captions, the square form can be repeated using the base module. Additionally, enlargements of the woodblock prints appear throughout the exhibition space, allowing visitors to appreciate the details and precision of the original prints.
The minimalist exhibition concept creates distinct spaces dedicated to specific themes. A bright area dedicated to motherhood transitions into a golden space representing the tokonoma—a place where, according to Japanese tradition, guests are welcomed—where a different set of objects is displayed each week. The section presenting portraits of beautiful women stands out with deep red hues, while the woodblock prints depicting legends and myths are positioned lower on the walls for easier access by children. The space dedicated to warriors is a separate part of the exhibition, distinguished both visually and through materials—the interior is lined with charred wooden planks using the Shou Sugi Ban technique. A "mini-exhibition within the exhibition" features a collection of Japanese textiles, including kimonos and obi belts, displayed in a showcase in the final room. These textiles correspond with a collection of so-called "large head" woodblock prints, a pioneering approach to portraiture.
An additional element of the arrangement is a series of animations that "bring to life" the world of woodblock prints. The exhibition space also includes numerous accessibility features for visitors with special needs, such as tactile graphics, life-size replicas of exhibits, and audio recordings that enhance the understanding of Kitagawa Utamaro’s work. Along the entire exhibition path, hidden educational aids invite visitors to discover them by following the trail of a grasshopper.