Exhibition design for: Maru. Greeks in the Shipyards of Japan, organized by the Naftika Chronika Archive, under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Greece. It was hosted in one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in Athens, the AMALIAS 36 building.
Maru (丸) in Japanese means circle. The 2022 exhibition showcased the relationship between Greek-owned shipping and the Japanese shipbuilding industry, highlighting how it developed into a successful cycle of cooperation, trust, and mutual assistance. The design of the exhibition space was inspired by the relationship between these two cultures, East and West. Elements from Japanese tradition—such as the minimalism and tranquility of Minka houses and the transparency provided by Washi and Shōji paper—were integrated with a Western neoclassical building.
In the mid-20th century, Greek overseas shipping experienced rapid growth, creating a need for fleet modernization and many new ships. Japan, with its targeted national strategy for shipyard development, became the clear choice for Greek-owned shipping. This marked the beginning of a 70-year history of Greek shipbuilding in the Land of the Rising Sun.
You can see Maru magazine here