“BAMBOO 1947: THEN AND NOW CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF GUCCI IN JAPAN”
The House announces a new exhibition at the Gucci Ginza Gallery showcasing vintage Bamboo 1947 bags reimagined by traditional artisans and contemporary artists.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Gucci’s official introduction in Japan in 1964. To celebrate this significant milestone, the House is orchestrating a series of events, emphasizing the profound bond shared with the Japanese people. As part of the celebrations, the House will unveil a new exhibition dedicated to the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag, uniting Japanese traditional artisans and artists in a creative project to reimagine 60 vintage Bamboo 1947 bags, highlighting themes of discovery and upcycling.
Launched in 1947 when Guccio Gucci and Florentine artisans innovatively turned to bamboo for bag handles, the bag quickly became synonymous with Gucci’s pioneering craftsmanship and appeal. Since then, each of Gucci’s creative directors has reinterpreted the Bamboo 1947 through a contemporary lens, bridging the past and present while celebrating its timeless elegance.
The exhibition will spotlight 60 vintage Gucci Bamboo 1947 bags, mainly from the 80s and 90s, each exquisitely preserved and cherished by their owners. The bags will be revitalized by a distinguished group of artisans and artists: goldsmith and Living National Treasure Morihito Katsura and his pupil Naoko Ai; ceramist Nakazato Hirotsune; lacquerer Ai Tokeshi; photographer Daido Moriyama; painter Nami Yokoyama, and painter Yui Yaegashi. Each will add their distinctive touch to the Bamboo 1947 bags, reflecting Gucci’s craftsmanship and the timeless legacy of this style.
The reimagined Bamboo 1947 bags will be featured in "Bamboo 1947: Then and Now Celebrating 60 years of Gucci in Japan" at the Gucci Ginza Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo, from Friday, August 2 to Monday, September 23. After the exhibition, each bag will be available for purchase as an art piece.
With this collaboration, Gucci continues to weave its narrative of tradition and innovation by delving into the enduring beauty of the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bags, the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese artisans, and the creative dialogue that Gucci and Japan have shared over decades. Together, they bring Gucci’s artistic vision into a new dimension, where fashion intersects with art and culture in a profound celebration of legacy and innovation.
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Bamboo 1947: Then and Now Celebrating 60 years of Gucci in Japan” Exhibition
The exhibition showcases 60 pieces of artwork (Gucci Bamboo 1947) and also presents the history of the bags.
Period：Friday, August 2 - Monday, September 23, 2024 *Open throughout the exhibition.
Venue：Gucci Ginza Gallery, Gucci Ginza 6-7F, 4-4-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11:00-18:00
Admission: Free (No reservation required)
All high res images can be found here.
Theo Bakana