As the landscapes of our living spaces grow increasingly diverse, we begin to realize that wallpaper is more than a quiet layer upon the wall — it is a subtle foundation that enriches the soul of everyday life. Sangetsu is a comprehensive interior design company engaged in the development and sales of wall coverings, flooring materials and fabrics, as well as spatial design, planning and construction. This exhibition is a collaborative research project between Sangetsu — a company that has been developing products to enrich people’s daily lives since its founding in 1849 — and the contemporary design studio we+, which explores materials and culture through experimental design. Together, they reexamine wall coverings from both a design and cultural perspective.
In Japan, the use of wallpaper has evolved uniquely; shaped by the country’s natural environment, changes in housing styles and interactions with other cultures. Through continuous innovations in materials and manufacturing techniques, wallpaper has become an essential element of modern Japanese living spaces. Through this exhibition, the exhibition present an overview of the materials and structures that led to the widespread adoption of wallpaper in Japan, featuring actual samples and production processes that reveal the material qualities behind wallpaper manufacturing.
Section 1：Material Genealogy of Wallpaper
Sangetsu’s vast collection of wallpaper reveals that their inspirations often stem from primitive materials such as stone, earth, wood, paper and textiles. This section categorizes wallpaper designs through the lens of materiality and visualizes the uniquely Japanese evolution of wall coverings in a mind-map format.
Section 2：The Future of Wallpaper
What lies ahead for wallpaper, a medium that has continually evolved through inspiration from materials? This section explores its potential for future expression and innovation.
Section 3：Japan’s Original Wallpaper Sample Books
Since Sangetsu published first wallpaper sample book in 1960, its format has continuously evolved in response to diverse needs and technologies. This section showcases archival sample books alongside a chronological map, offering visitors a hands-on experience of the joy of choosing.
➤ Photo | Masaaki Inoue / BOUILLON @bouillonfoto
Through this exhibition, Sangetsu and we+ delve into the essence of the culture of adorning walls, tracing the evolution of materials and techniques while rediscovering the depth and beauty of Japan’s wall-covering culture and presenting new possibilities for the future of interior surfaces.
