Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2010

Jun-Gin (“pure silver”) refers to the material used by all the 50 artists and craftsmen participating in this annual show. The relatively unknown clay can be molded and fired in a kiln to produce 99 percent pure silver. The results vary from the sleek high-tech casings of product designer Tetsutaro Nakabayashi to the “therapeutic accessories” of Yumiko Kiryu. “Japan’s excessive Bubble economy brought with it excessive design, and the trends left in its wake seemed to serve no purpose other than to generate sales,” says curator Rie Nagumo. “The ‘Jun’ of Jun-Gin doesn’t just refer to purity of materials. This purity also speaks of a new relationship between people, the things we create, and the society we build together.”

Fukui Minami-Aoyama 291
Jun-Gin Collection 2010. Various media. Until May 2, free. 5-4-41 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5778-0291. Open daily 11am-7pm. Nearest stn: Omotesando. fukui.291ma.jp