OMA / Shohei Shigematsu and Louis Vuitton have unveiled a landmark exhibition, Louis Vuitton: Visionary Journeys, transforming the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka into an extraordinary spatial narrative. Marking the first time the Visionary Journeys concept is presented within a museum context, this 2,200-square-meter experience explores the French Maison’s legacy through eleven thematically rich galleries organized into four interconnected zones: history, timeless codes, craft process, and cultural dialogues.
Partner-in-Charge Shohei Shigematsu and his OMA New York team approached the scenography as a “spatial translation of Louis Vuitton’s legacy—a journey not just through objects but through ideas.” Osaka, historically Japan’s gateway for trade and craftsmanship, provides the perfect stage. The exhibition celebrates the iconic trunk as more than a container; it’s framed as a vessel of imagination, stories, and cultural exchange.
Visitors are immediately greeted by a breathtaking spectacle: eight monumental lanterns, soaring 12.5 meters within the museum’s five-story atrium. These sculptural columns serve as a dramatic focal point, establishing the exhibition’s scale.
Wrapped in bespoke Monogram washi paper, the lanterns emit a soft glow, creating a welcoming prelude to the journey within. This fusion of Louis Vuitton’s iconic pattern with traditional Japanese material sets an early thematic tone.
The narrative intensifies dramatically at the entrance with a hemispherical installation composed of 138 authentic Louis Vuitton trunks. Mirrored perfectly by the glass floor, this structure forms a complete globe – a powerful, immediate symbol of global exploration.
Remarkably, this impressive globe is a self-supporting structure, held together solely by the structural integrity of the trunks themselves. This ingenious construction vividly showcases the balance of strength and lightness intrinsic to Louis Vuitton’s heritage and craftsmanship.
Japan features prominently throughout the exhibition. A dedicated Louis Vuitton and Japan gallery delves into deep artistic exchanges, displaying historic and contemporary pieces – from traditional garments and samurai armor to kawaii culture – on modular platforms evoking tatami mats. The Origins room further explores shared values, tracing six brand eras using a custom bamboo armature that highlights a mutual appreciation for craftsmanship.
Innovative scenography defines the entire experience. Expeditions unfolds within an inflatable hot-air balloon serving as both display and projection surface. Materials presents a transparent archive of foundational elements appearing to float infinitely. The mansard roof of the Paris flagship is reimagined as a theatrical backdrop.
The Workshop zone recreates the Asnières atelier, featuring live demonstrations visible via mirrored “skylights,” while Testing brings the Louis Vuitton lab to the museum. Finally, Collaborations culminates within four mirrored domes, creating a kaleidoscopic display of works by Sprouse, Supreme, Kusama, and Murakami.
Louis Vuitton: Visionary Journeys is on view at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka through September 17, 2025.