Exhibition : Paper Trail
-Everything is a prototype for the future-

What kind of objects do we instinctively reach for in our daily lives? In today’s world, overflowing with information, it is said that we make over 30,000 decisions each day—often without even realizing it. Behind each of these choices lies an emotional current, guided by our bodily senses and memories.

This exhibition is about the quiet realizations tucked into daily life. It focuses on the philosophy and craftsmanship of POSTALCO, a brand that continues to create tools thoughtfully developed through physical acts of making—what they call “thinking through the body.” POSTALCO began with the motif of the post—a universal medium that connects people across borders and cultures. From small notebooks to furniture, their perspective touches on a variety of lifestyle-related products, all seamlessly integrated into everyday living.

“No meaningful design can emerge from a perfectly orderly environment.”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　—Excerpt from Viewpoint in the Fog

Meaningful forms are often hidden within the disorder, discomfort, and ambiguity of everyday life. By gently attuning ourselves to these sensations and shifting our perspectives just slightly, familiar landscapes and objects can begin to reveal entirely new meanings.
MUJI shares this way of thinking. Its approach to craftsmanship questions long-standing assumptions of “common sense.” By slightly altering a familiar shape, new possibilities emerge. Items once discarded find renewed purpose. Through countless insights born from everyday life, MUJI continues to propose new ways of living—discovered through subtle shifts in point of view. The craftsmanship of both MUJI and POSTALCO finds its origin in the quiet moments of awareness within daily life.

Everything we make is a prototype for something in the future. This is reflected in the title of this exhibition, Paper Trail. At the heart of the installation is a single, continuous sheet of paper—a material that symbolizes POSTALCOʼs creative origins̶ serving as the thread that runs through the space. On this paper trail, youʼll find prototypes, finished products, and everyday items that are often overlooked. Together, they form a landscape where experimentation, playfulness, and practicality intersect. Visitors are invited to follow the flow of paper and freely imagine new solutions for the future.

No matter how much the world around us may change, the essence of human life and well-being remains constant. How can we build days that are fulfilling, peaceful, and connected—to nature, to others, and to all living things? We hope this exhibition offers quiet moments of insight: a sense of comfort hidden in the everyday, and the small joys that come from simply seeing things differently.

ATELIER MUJI