KENICHI NAKANO: AN ENDURING CIVIC LEGACY
University of Washington Department of Landscape Architecture
Exhibition Fall Quarter 2017
I was asked to curate, design, produce, and install a retrospective exhibit about Kenichi Nakano, FASLA. Kenichi was an influential Seattle landscape architect who left a significant legacy in built civic works in Seattle. This retrospective represented Kenichi as a whole person, with a timeline integrating his life and work, videos about his family and professional life, Kenichi's far-reaching impact on the community as a professor, mentor, and collaborator with an interactive memory wall. Four artists with which Kenichi had significant collaborations contributed reflections that were included in the four main life phases featured on different walls. The exhibit aesthetic took a queue from Kenichi's work, always concise and restrained, with clean lines and color supplied by large photographs of the work its self.
I worked with a steering committee from including the landscape architecture department, Nakano Associates, Kenichi's daughter Maya Nakano, and other colleagues who knew Kenichi well. I selected and arranged for the framing of twenty original pieces and curated digital content to be printed on twenty-one plotted banners. Close coordination with Gould Pavilion exhibit experts was key to fitting the content to the space. I led an installation crew of other landscape architecture students to bring the exhibit to life. It was an honor to be able to contribute to Kenichi Nakano's legacy in Seattle.
Exhibit in Gould Pavilion seen from the outside including feature banner.
'Welcome banner' with Nakano Associates philosophy statement, Kenichi's photo and signature. Photo: Hanyu Wang
At the 'family and friends opening, Kenichi's brother and mother view the timeline of his life and work. Photo: Hanyu Wang
Family and friends opening seen from the outside. Photo: Hanyu Wang
At the family and friends reception. Speech by the exhibit designer. Photo: Hanyu Wang
At the family and friends reception, speech by current department chair Jeff Hou. Photo: Hanyu Wang
Early work of Kenichi. Photo: Vanessa Lee
Wall with timeline and International fountain showing room layout. Photo: Vanessa Lee
Wall featuring work of the Nakano|Dennis. Photo: Vanessa Lee
Wall with Nakano Associates projects. Photo Hanyu Wang
Memory wall with reflections shared right after Kenichi's death as well as new ones added by exhibit visitors. Photo: Hanyu Wang
Video featuring slideshow from Kenichi's memorial. Viewed at family and friends opening. Photo Hanyu Wang.
Video featuring interview of Kenichi from 'Reflections on a changing field" project. Photo: Vanessa Lee
Exhibit installation with Rich Desanto and Lauren Wong. Photo Vanessa Lee
Exhibit installation with Rebecca Bachman and Roxanne Glick. Photo Vanessa Lee
