Tokyo exhibition explores insect-inspired design and biomimicry

The 21_21 Design Sight in Tokyo presents 'Insects: Models for Design,' curated by Taku Satoh with scientific advisor Takeshi Yoro, running until November 4, 2019. The exhibition focuses on insects as a source of inspiration for designers and artists, highlighting their evolutionary strategies and biological features. Among the new works on display are architectural models by Kengo Kuma, created with engineers Alan Burden, Norihiro Ejiri, and Jun Sato, analyzing caddisfly nests. Designer Keita Suzuki debuts three hybrid tools combining insect adaptations with human-made utensils. The show also features photographs by Kenji Kohiyama. Biomimicry, the approach of learning from nature, is not new—examples include Velcro (inspired by burrs) and self-cleaning paints (based on lotus leaves by Wilhelm Barthlott). However, Satoh narrows the focus to insects, whose long evolutionary history offers solutions for robotics, architecture, and design. The exhibition is part of a broader trend of nature-inspired design seen at events like Broken Nature at Triennale Milano and shows at Cooper Hewitt and Cube Design Museum.