Concept
Over the years, Italy has left a profound mark in Japan through the stories of those who have chosen to live, work, and contribute to the spread of Made in Italy excellence.
LIFE IS LIKE A RICE is an event that celebrates this presence, selecting representatives from various fields – from researchers to farmers, from diplomats to pilots – who have set foot in Japan. To symbolize the connection between these two cultures, we have chosen an essential element for both: rice. Each grain becomes a narrative unit, representing a person, a story, or a symbol of Italian identity, visually bringing to life the data collected from the COMITES TOKYO-FUJI archives.
The exhibition is designed as an immersive experience that guides visitors through a visual and interactive journey, narrating the Italian presence in Japan from 1579 to 2023. Rice, the key element, is not just a symbol but a powerful metaphor for the Italian community: each grain represents an individual, a connection, a fragment of history.
A journey through identity, roots, and cultural exchanges, told through an evocative visual language where tradition and modernity intertwine to shape a collective story—one that evokes history, memory, and the future.
- Atrium – Introduction to the Event
At the entrance to the exhibition, a large B1-sized poster welcomes visitors, presenting the event’s title and the manifesto of the Italian presence in Japan. The atrium serves as an introductory space, featuring a guided path that invites guests to discover the core of the exhibition.
- Exhibition Hall – A Journey Through Stories and Data
The main hall is structured with a system of hexagons in various sizes, each representing a theme or a personality linked to the Italian presence in Japan.
- Red Hexagons. Placed on the floor, these hexagons contain texts and QR codes that link to pages created by COMITES, providing information in Italian and Japanese about historical events and figures such as Alessandro Valignano, the Italian Embassy, and the first ALITALIA flight.
- Black Hexagons with HEXA Displays and Rice. Positioned on dedicated displays, these hexagons combine text, images, and a physical representation of rice to emphasize cultural ties. Each hexagon tells the story of notable figures such as Luigi Pirandello, sports coaches, artists, and Italian entrepreneurs who have contributed to Japan.
- Maxi Black Hexagons with HEXA Displays and Rice. Placed on the floor or on displays, these elements highlight quantitative data on Italian immigration to Japan in 2023, including age distribution, employment, number of tourists, and consumption of Italian products such as pasta and olive oil.
- Interactive and Sensory Experience
Visitors can explore the exhibition using QR codes to delve deeper into each topic through a digital journey.
The use of natural materials such as cardboard, non-slip mats, and paper highlights the balance between tradition and innovation, making the exhibition not only informative but also evocative and engaging.
