Tone Wheeler
I am fascinated with the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics; since Barcelona in 1992 they have become talismanic of nationalistic design (think Mambo, Victas and Hills hoists in Sydney 2000). Last Friday’s opening ceremony in Tokyo will be remembered principally for the ‘drone show’ lights, but I was beguiled by something far simpler.
On a series of nine movable tables acrobatic dancers simulated one of the great Japanese design gifts: building in timber. Within this energetic display, dancers used a chisel, a large hammer and design plans. Surely the only time that traditional vernacular architecture features in a world theatrical event.