Born in Osaka in 1941, Tadao Ando is the best-known Japanese contemporary architect with many prestigious international awards including the Pritzker Prize for Architecture under his belt. The self-taught architect has a unique style that fuses old Japanese tradition and contemporary architecture, which can be seen on his work from the past such as the Row House in Sumiyoshi – Azuma House (1976) to this year’s La Bourse de Commerce in Paris. His retrospective exhibition The Challenge is now happening at Armani/Silos in Milan.
Giorgio Armani is fond of Tadao Ando’s work as both of them share a similar appreciation for clean, understated aesthetic. Their first collaboration dates back to 2001 when Ando designed the Armani/Teatro, the theatre situated in the fashion house’s headquarters in Milan that hosts runway shows and special events.
The Challenge, runs until 28 July 2019, is an adaption of Tadao Ando’s exhibition in collaboration with Centre Pompidou last year. It is structured around four major themes: Primitive Shapes of Space, An Urban Challenge, Landscape Genesis, Dialogues with History, and includes over 50 projects. Through showcasing his sketches and technical drawings, original models, video installations, photographs and more, the narrative journey highlights his original use of nature and the combination of elements that defines his unique vision.
