The works of 300 Japanese designers and artists, including folding fans, eco-bags and furoshikis (traditional Japanese cloth-made wraps used to hold and carry items) feature in a large exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Shanghai, which will run until January 19 next year.

The exhibition, Eco X Design: Japanese Eco Goods Designed by 300 Designers and Artists, co-organized by MoCA Shanghai and Recruit Co Ltd of Japan, displays some 800 eco goods that correspond to the universal trend towards environmentally friendly products.

"In the 20th century, particularly from the beginning of the 1950s, Japanese mainstream society has absorbed, adored and adopted modern Western designs.

At the same time, Japan has succeeded in integrating its historical traditions into popular culture, and thereby successfully creating its own style," said Samuel Kung, chairman and director of MoCA Shanghai.

"While global warming is threatening our environment and problems of polluting the eco-system are severe, protecting the environment is a vital issue for sustainable development.

Through this design exhibition, MoCA Shanghai aims to discover the combination of aesthetics and daily living that conveys a respect and responsibility toward nature, ecology and thinking green," he added.

The audience can explore the designers' individual concepts concerning environmental protection, and witness the best and emerging creations of Japanese graphic design and illustration.

"We are not here to decide which is the best work, but to invite everyone to act every day to protect the environment, like using fans rather than air conditioning, eco bags rather than plastic bags, and furoshikis rather than wrapping paper," said Nobumitsu Oseko, curator of the exhibition.

Besides, posters, videos and sculptures are also on display.

Time: 10 am-6 pm, Monday to Sunday; 10 am-10 pm, Wednesday, until January 19

Place: Inside Renmin Park, 231 Nanjing Xi Lu

Tel: 021-6327-9900

(China Daily December 22, 2007)