Hiroshima Peace Song Exhibition by Naoya Katagami |
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| DESIGN NAME: Hiroshima Peace Song PRIMARY FUNCTION: Exhibition INSPIRATION: When designing the “Hiroshima Peace Poster Exhibition 2024,” an annual event organized by JAGDA Hiroshima, my primary goal was to create something truly meaningful. In 2025, Hiroshima will mark 80 years since the atomic bombing, and even in 2024, key events like the release of the film “Oppenheimer” and the G7 Summit highlight the importance of revisiting the concept of peace. I chose to blend the lyrics of Hiroshima’s “Hiroshima Peace Song” with water—a symbol both of what bomb survivors longed for and of Hiroshima’s modern cityscape—to convey an essential message through typography, while also reflecting the city’s peaceful atmosphere today. To accurately portray the flow of water, I studied Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts, focusing on his observations of fluid dynamics. Inspired by the image of a cascading waterfall, I hoped to evoke the sense of peace spreading outward among all who experience the design. UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: I created this design by envisioning how a single droplet of water expands into a cascading waterfall, using the lyrics of the “Hiroshima Peace Song.” Inspired by principles akin to Japanese Zen, I placed the design on a plain white background so that its simplicity yields deeper significance the more one observes it. To portray the flow of the waterfall, I studied Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts on water dynamics. I used the English lyrics of the “Hiroshima Peace Song”—chorused every year at the end of the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6—to symbolize how peace can spread outward. A single droplet represents an individual, while the river and waterfall evoke the collective consciousness extending from that individual. The molecular clusters of water, signifying human connections and communities, are woven into various parts of the design. Rather than a commercial endeavor, this project aims to express a deeper, essential meaning of peace. OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: This design invites visitors to follow a visual flow, starting with the large tapestry and moving through various signage. Each element guides attendees through the exhibition, helping them connect more deeply with its theme of peace. By uniting water imagery, typography, and strategic pacing, the experience is both intuitive and immersive, encouraging thoughtful reflection and dialogue. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Exhibition Period August 25 (Sun) – August 30 (Fri), 2024 10:00 – 19:00 Venue Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch (Atomic Bombed Building) FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design |
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: This poster exhibition was held at the Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, a historic building located in the heart of Hiroshima and just 380 meters from the bombing’s hypocenter. Because many local citizens attend, we aimed for an immediately striking design. We utilized Akzidenz-Grotesk, a historically significant typeface, for the primary typography, while the exhibition’s title features Gotham—famously used for the film “Oppenheimer”— SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Exhibition Banner Tapestry Prominently displayed at the main entrance Dimensions: W2,000 mm × H5,500 mm Signage 1 Dimensions: W900 mm × H1,800 mm Signage 2 / 3 / 4 Each: W450 mm × H1,500 mm Information Boards Four boards, each A4 size Flyer A4, double-sided, full color plus one spot color Printed on Araveil paper Name Cards Three designs in total: “Hiroshima Appeals,” “Hiroshima Peace Poster Exhibition,” and “Hiroshima Peace Poster Student Competition” Venue Layout Comprehensive floor plan for the exhibition space TAGS: Peace,Poster,Exhibit RESEARCH ABSTRACT: We were able to welcome a large number of visitors. The Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch is located in the heart of Hiroshima’s bustling downtown, where many commuters pass by each day. The prominent Exhibition Banner Tapestry at the entrance successfully attracted people’s interest and drew them in. Additionally, A4 flyers were placed in the Atomic Bomb Museum and various municipal offices, which also helped bring in many attendees. Overall, we believe this event provided a valuable opportunity for many to reflect on peace once again. CHALLENGE: We focused on conveying both Hiroshima’s global reputation—rooted in its cultural and historical significance—and the city’s present calm, peaceful atmosphere, encouraging visitors to experience both. All of the exhibited works advocate peace, making this a truly remarkable poster exhibition. Our primary goal was to spark interest while ensuring the design carried a deeply meaningful message. ADDED DATE: 2024-09-29 10:49:52 TEAM MEMBERS (1) : IMAGE CREDITS: Main Image: PHOTO / Naoya Katagami, SOUND / Words by Yoshio Shigezono Music by Minoru Yamamoto The city of Hiroshima, Image #1: PHOTO / Naoya Katagami, SOUND / Words by Yoshio Shigezono Music by Minoru Yamamoto The city of Hiroshima Image #2: PHOTO / Naoya Katagami, SOUND / Words by Yoshio Shigezono Music by Minoru Yamamoto The city of Hiroshima Image #3: PHOTO / Naoya Katagami, SOUND / Words by Yoshio Shigezono Music by Minoru Yamamoto The city of Hiroshima, Image #4: PHOTO / Naoya Katagami, SOUND / Words by Yoshio Shigezono Music by Minoru Yamamoto The city of Hiroshima, |
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| Visit the following page to learn more: https://awagami.jp/blogs/casestudy/0155? |
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NAME: JAGDA HIROSHIMA PROFILE: Through posters created by Japan’s leading designers, JAGDA has carried out a movement advocating for peace, both nationwide and globally. Once again, Hiroshima marks August 6th this year. However, as time passes, the memory of the atomic bombing continues to fade. Meanwhile, civil wars and conflicts persist across the world, and the threats posed by terrorism and nuclear proliferation, as well as disputes among fellow citizens, are reported daily. In the Hiroshima district of the Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA), we continue to share Hiroshima’s message with the world. This year as well, we are unveiling the Hiroshima Appeals poster. We will also host the Hiroshima Peace Poster Exhibition "pieces for peace," featuring past Hiroshima Appeals posters, works by JAGDA members from the Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Okinawa districts, as well as pieces created by design students. |
| AWARD DETAILS | |
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Hiroshima Peace Song Exhibition by Naoya Katagami is Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Category, 2024 - 2025.· Read the interview with designer Naoya Katagami for design Hiroshima Peace Song here.· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Naoya Katagami. · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Naoya Katagami. |
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