MUJI Brings Renowned Miniature Photographer and Mitate Artist Tatsuya Tanaka’s ‘small MUJI’ Exhibition to the United States for NYCxDESIGN
‘small MUJI’ invites both local visitors and travelers to experience the world from a fresh perspective. The
installation will feature 16 original art pieces, created using MUJI products, that have traveled with the
exhibition, as well as three custom dioramas based on iconic New York City landmarks: Central Park, Times
Square, and the Statue of Liberty. These works, commissioned specifically for NYCxDESIGN, will remain at MUJI’s Fifth Avenue flagship location after the exhibition concludes.
Tatsuya Tanaka’s work is deeply rooted in the Japanese concept of mitate, a creative interpretation technique where an object or idea is viewed through an unrelated lens, thereby taking on new meaning. This approach encourages audiences to engage with the world in a novel way, fostering imagination and surprising associations. For ‘small MUJI’, Tanaka has crafted a pizza shop scene from a MUJI ABS Stapler, a beach scene using MUJI denim wide-fit pants and wide-angle socks, and a hotel room constructed from MUJI sandwich biscuits, among other imaginative works. These art pieces inspire audiences to reimagine everyday objects, infusing them with whimsy, creativity, and humor.
Richard Rappaport, COO of MUJI North America, shared his enthusiasm for bringing ‘small MUJI’ to the United States: “This installation beautifully reflects one of our core brand values—the importance of thoughtful everyday items. We are thrilled to be the fifth country to showcase Tatsuya Tanaka’s work,” said Rappaport. “Our MUJI retail locations are designed to foster a sense of community, and I believe this exhibition will further strengthen that objective while highlighting our North American flagship store’s capabilities.”
To celebrate the launch of small MUJI in the United States, coinciding with the NYCxDESIGN festival,
Tatsuya Tanaka will be visiting New York for a presentation of the exhibition opening and a signing of his book Miniature Trip Around the World. Originally published in Japanese, this one-of-a-kind photography
book has now been newly released in English, taking readers on an immersive journey to some of the most iconic global landmarks — from Mount Fuji and the Sydney Opera House to the Pyramids of Egypt and beyond. Reimagined through Tanaka’s signature mitate art style, renowned sightseeing spots are recreated using bookends, cocktails, and even ramen — offering readers an adventure across the world through the eyes of one of Japan’s most unique artists.
The exhibition will be open to the public beginning on Friday, May 16 and will remain open throughout
the festival at MUJI’s flagship store at 575 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY 10017, and will be accessible daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The three New York City-inspired dioramas will remain on display following the exhibition.
Organized By: Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
Collaboration: MINIATURE LIFE Co., Ltd.
About Tatsuya Tanaka
Tatsuya Tanaka is a Miniature photographer and Mitate artist. Born in Kumamoto, Japan, in 1981, he began his career as a Mitate artist with the project ‘Miniature Calendar’ in 2011. Since then, he has continued to share his creations online through his social media, which has now amassed nearly four million followers. Tanaka continues to hold exhibitions around the world, and has authored multiple books showcasing his work, including Small Wonders, REASSEMBLE, and MINIATURE TRIP AROUND THE WORLD.
“MINIATURE TRIP AROUND THE WORLD”
Join Tatsuya Tanaka and his miniatures on a world tour - from Mount Fuji, the Sydney Opera House, to the Pyramids of Egypt - reimagined through Tatsuya Tanaka's original art style, Mitate. In this one-of-a-kind photography book, this playful artform reaches its imaginative heights as the best-known sightseeing spots are recreated using bookends, cocktails, souffle dishes, and even ramen. Why not see what these countries have to offer through the eyes of one of Japan's most unique artists?
About MUJI
MUJI, originally founded in Japan in 1980, offers a wide range of low-cost, good quality products including household goods, apparel, food, and even houses. The name derives from the company’s original name in Japanese: Mujirushi Ryohin, meaning No Brand, Quality Goods. MUJI is based on three core principles, which remain unchanged to this day: selection of materials, streamlining of processes, and simplification of packaging. MUJI’s products, born from an extremely rational manufacturing process, are succinct, but they are not in the minimalist style. That is, they are like empty vessels. Simplicity and emptiness yield the ultimate universality, embracing the feelings and thoughts of all people. They have been credited with being “resource-saving”, “low-priced”, “simple”, “anonymous” and “nature-oriented”. Without placing a disproportionate emphasis
on any of one of these varied assessments, MUJI aims to live up to all. There are more than 1,000 MUJI stores around the world, carrying more than 7,000 items, but the foundation of their ideology hasn’t changed as MUJI continues to orient itself to the basis and universality of daily life.