Everyday objects hide interesting souls: Step into Taku Satoh’s creative universe without flying to Japan as the “Design Ah!” exhibition comes to Hong Kong

Ready to let out an “Ah!” of amazement?

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In the rush of everyday life, have we ever slowed down to look at the cup in our hands or the street beneath our feet? Sometimes, what soothes the soul isn’t expensive luxury goods, but the thoughtful design details hidden in everyday life. If you’re longing to see the world from a different perspective, the upcoming “Design Ah!” exhibition at M+ is sure to give your life a gentle visual massage.

 

M+ Design Ah! exhibition 2026: NHK Japan’s hit show goes overseas for the first time, with creative interactive installations by Taku Satoh

Image from M+

This much-anticipated exhibition is led by Japanese design master Taku Satoh, who has teamed up with visual director Yugo Nakamura and music director Shuta Hasunuma to create an imaginative space. More than an art display, it is an exercise in “observation,” inviting us to reconsider everyday actions that have become so familiar we overlook them.

Design offers an answer to the question of how to live

The exhibition centers on everyday life: eating, sitting, walking, and even how we hold an object. By breaking down these seemingly ordinary actions, the designers reveal how design quietly improves our quality of life and shapes our connections with others.

M+ Design Ah! exhibition 2026: NHK Japan’s hit show goes overseas for the first time, with creative interactive installations by Taku Satoh

Image from M+

Interactive installations that awaken the senses

To make “design” something tangible, the exhibition features a range of interactive elements.

 

Immersive audiovisual room

Combining sound designed by Shuta Hasunuma with Yugo Nakamura’s flowing visuals, the room places visitors in a pure, rhythmic sensory world.

 

M+ Design Ah! exhibition 2026: NHK Japan’s hit show goes overseas for the first time, with creative interactive installations by Taku Satoh

Image from X /@nhk_ah_neo

Games that touch the heart

Several artists have created interactive installations in response to the exhibition’s concept. Here, you can explore the structures of objects and experience the fun that design brings.

 

M+ Design Ah! exhibition 2026: NHK Japan’s hit show goes overseas for the first time, with creative interactive installations by Taku Satoh

Image from X /@nhk_ah_neo

The moment you say “Ah!”

The exhibition aims to capture those flashes of insight. When you see through the original intention behind a design and can’t help exclaiming, “Ah!”, that feeling of sudden clarity is the most healing moment of all.

Rather than a design exhibition, it is a rekindling of one’s passion for life. Its greatest appeal lies in its reminder that beauty isn’t far away. Taku Satoh has always excelled at transforming complex logic into minimalist visuals; this ability to achieve a great effect with minimal effort is exactly the kind of spiritual nourishment people today need.

 

M+ Design Ah! exhibition 2026: NHK Japan’s hit show goes overseas for the first time, with creative interactive installations by Taku Satoh

Image from X /@nhk_ah_neo

This exhibition, which was widely praised while touring Japan, is being shown outside Japan for the first time. Whether you’re a design lover or simply looking for a quiet corner to reflect, it will offer a completely different perspective.

“Design Ah! Marvel at the Wonders of Everyday Design” exhibition
Dates: June 27, 2026 to January 10, 2027
Location: Main Hall Gallery, G/F, M+, West Kowloon Cultural District
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Closed Monday

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This article has been automatically translated from Chinese.