Immerse Yourself in the World of Design at Design Ah! Exhibition Neo

Experience Design Like Never Before at Design Ah! Exhibition Neo

The eagerly anticipated Design Ah! Exhibition Neo will open its doors on April 18, 2025, at the remarkable TOKYO NODE, located in Toranomon Hills. This exhibition is a collaborative effort by TOKYO NODE, NHK, NHK Educational, and NHK Promotion. Based on the NHK E-Tele show Design Ah! Neo, the exhibition expands its concept into a tangible, immersive experience, allowing visitors to engage with the ideas and principles of design.

After a successful run four years ago, the exhibition changes its focus from 'objects' to 'actions', exploring the pleasure of thinking and discovering through design for children. The gallery at TOKYO NODE offers a unique setting at 220 meters above ground level, providing ample space of approximately 1,500 square meters and a maximum height of 15 meters for this large-scale exhibition.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a massive hanging letter 'Ah', symbolizing the theme of the exhibition, which revolves around various actions that define our daily lives. Here, art and creativity come to life through 35 distinct works, all categorized by verbs such as “to walk”, “to eat”, “to sit”, and “to hold”. Each display invites participants to observe, contemplate, and experience.

One standout exhibit, “The Walking Catalog,” engages visitors in a playful exploration of the action of walking. Participants pose as instructed by a camera, and their images seamlessly blend into a flipbook-like animation, creating the illusion of walking. It’s a whimsical reminder of the layers that compose daily actions often taken for granted.

In another engaging room, guests can feel how it’s like to be picked up by giant chopsticks through “The Feeling of Being Eaten”. Other highlights include “Dreams of School Chairs,” where familiar school furniture morphs into various functional designs, and “A Swarm of Handles,” featuring an impressive display of 1,500 unique handles mounted on the walls, inspiring curiosity and interaction around the action of holding. The exhibition also includes various playful installations exploring themes like speaking, writing, throwing, repairing, and searching.

For multimedia enthusiasts, a dedicated cinematic room showcases captivating videos driven by the distinct Design Ah! Neo aesthetic. Visitors can enjoy dance films featuring the ‘Ah’ character animated across a 360-degree screen, and immersive works such as “DO IT!”, which harmonizes visitors' body movements in sync with the displayed content, creating a fully interactive experience.

Adding to the excitement, a panel of esteemed creators involved in this exhibition shared their insights during a media preview. Taku Sato, the exhibition’s chief director, emphasized the significance of collaborative brainstorming in establishing the theme of actions, creating an exhibition that nudges everyone—especially children—to embrace a design mindset. Yugo Nakamura, the video director, praised the diverse contributions from skilled artists, affirming that this exhibition, while aimed at children, holds value and enjoyment for adults as well. Shuta Hasunuma, the music director, expressed pride in collaborating with top Japanese talents to create an exhibition that integrates sound as a significant element of the experience.

The Design Ah! Exhibition Neo is set to run from April 18, 2025, to September 23, 2025, and is committed to enhancing children’s design thinking while presenting new thematic works. Along with the exhibition, special dining menus available at nearby restaurants will resonate with the exhibition’s themes, making the entire Toranomon Hills area an extension of this vibrant event.

Additionally, a pop-up shop will be available featuring the exhibition's official catalog and over 60 unique original goods, awaiting visitors to claim exclusive items that reflect the spirit of the exhibition.

As families prepare for their visits, a special version of the popular community event, T-MARKET for FAMILY, will take place every Sunday throughout the exhibition, offering exciting activities such as balloon giveaways and coloring opportunities inspired by the exhibition's themes.

With a balanced blend of creativity, interactivity, and education, the Design Ah! Exhibition Neo promises to be an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. Make sure to mark your calendars and be part of this adventure in design, creativity, and fun!