2 Architect's Udon Exhibition

The second project is a seemingly playful exhibition, where Tadao Ando showcases the creativity of architects using udon as the theme to connect architects with the general public. The purpose of the exhibition is not to produce udon designed by the architects, but to connect architects with the general public using a theme well-known to the public. The general public can experience the architects' outstanding wisdom through seeing, tasting, and smelling.

Kenji Ogawa's SHE&HE

Kenji Ogawa focuses on the physical properties of udon and ingeniously combines it with the symbolism of sensuality, adding a bit of fun to the udon. When boiled, the udon shrinks, presenting the form as shown in the image below.

Miho Takeoka paired it with seafood soup, which resembles a complex and ever-changing societal microcosm. The vivacity of the udon is revealed only when the edges of the udon slightly curl upwards.

Osamu Oe's WAVE-RIPPLE.LOOP.SURF.

Osamu Oe's WAVE-RIPPLE.LOOP.SURF. is inspired by waves, and the circle is the most perfect shape in nature, from the smallest atom to the vast universe. The circle seems to evoke endless reverie. The abundance of ruggedness allows diners to envision the full flavor of the udon.

Miho Takeoka paired it with "Sea of Fruits": a filling enclosed between the udon.

Akio Okumura's i flutte

Akio Okumura's i flutte most vividly embodies the texture of the udon. The contrast between soft and hard highlights the harmony and balance in the design, and even through food, people can feel the beauty of the texture.

Miho Takeoka paired it with matsutake mushroom, symbolizing elegance, grace, and uniqueness.

Kunihisa Kase's OTTOCO

Kunihisa Kase's OTTOCO is imbued with expressionism, the small mouth of the udon resembling a mouth, and when cooked, it bubbles amusingly. As an architectural form, the small mouth at the top also provides a certain angle for natural light.

Below is Tadao Ando's Teatorīno.

Miho Takeoka paired it with charcoal-grilled sauce udon pie, resembling small mouths exhaling heat.

Kengo Kuma's Half Composition

Kengo Kuma's Half Composition views udon from a challenging perspective, focusing on the difference between spaghetti and Italian udon, the non-composition and composition, hoping to weaken this difference and reconcile the contradiction, ultimately becoming a half composition. The entire piece fully embodies his design philosophy, allowing us to sense his philosophy of life through his work.

I have only selected a part of the works that interested me. The entire exhibition is filled with idealistic flavor. I have always believed that idealism is not a derogatory term. It represents the designer's pursuit and vision of the future. Idealistic designers, to a certain extent, represent humanity's pursuit of ideal life in the future. These idealized scenes are likely to gradually become a reality in the near future.

I envy Tadao Ando for daring to break the norm, choosing a medium that is difficult to intervene in, and persisting in completing it with a rigorous attitude and showcasing the results to the world, something that ordinary designers find it hard to accomplish.