Ken Okuyama, an internationally renowned Japanese designer, will also be an 'Ambassador' of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Okuyama joins the list of 'Ambassadors' of the Italian Pavilion, together with the stylist and designer Junko Koshino, the designer Toshiyuki Kita, the conductor Tomomi Nishimoto, the sculptor Susumu Shingu and the entrepreneur and patron Yuzo Yagi, to whom we owe the restoration of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius in Rome.
“Being chosen as 'Ambassador' of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is an honor, and the theme of this pavilion 'Art regenerates life' perfectly reflects my philosophy.
My goal is to be a designer of social systems, giving importance not just to functionality or price, but to background and history.
This is the philosophy of Ken Okuyama Design, which was developed in Italy.
I hope that the Italian pavilion can become a successful space where visitors can immerse themselves deeply in art and the possibilities that arise from it” said industrial designer Ken Okuyama.
"Ken Okuyama's design philosophy, combined with his exceptional skills and deep ties to Italy, make him a perfect interpreter not only of the Expo 2025 theme 'Designing Future Society for our Lives' but also for the theme of our Italian Pavilion, 'Art regenerates Life'. In Ken Okuyama, we recognize an 'Ambassador' capable of embodying the soul of Japanese and Italian design: beauty, innovation and that know-how that has always distinguished our nation on the global scene ” commented the General Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani.
From 23 March to 9 June, at the Adi Design Museum, Ken Okuyama's 'Orizuru Chair' will be exhibited at the 'Origin of Simplicity – 20 Visions of Japanese Design' exhibition, curated by Rossella Menegazzo, Head of Culture for the Italian Pavilion in Expo 2025 and which brings together 150 works by Japanese artisans and designers.
Ken Okuyama worked for Pininfarina Spa for about 12 years and is the first foreigner to have designed a Ferrari: the Ferrari Enzo (2002).