Casa Asia in Krafted 2026

Japan will be the guest of honor at Krafted'26, a gathering that will bring together architects, interior designers, artists, and artisans to explore contemporary craftsmanship and architecture. The event is being held as part of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture.

Japanese culture will feature prominently in some of the day's highlights, emphasizing Japan's profound aesthetic, philosophical, and artisanal influence on contemporary creativity.

Japan is an international benchmark in both craftsmanship and contemporary architecture, with a profound culture of detail, materials, and process. Over the years, collaborations between Japan and Barcelona have been numerous and enriching.

Krafted wants to highlight this relationship, generate new spaces for dialogue, and stimulate future collaborations between professionals from both cultural contexts.

The program will include four major activities related to the guest country:

Mari Ito: Dialogue between Japan and Barcelona

The renowned Japanese painter MarIto will talk with art advisor Odile Moreno on the coexistence of Japanese visual imagery and the Mediterranean artistic context. An encounter that will explore the connections between tradition, color, and contemporary sensibility.

Premiere of the documentary Anagama

The afternoon session will kick off with the exclusive premiere of the documentary AnagamaDirected by Guillermo Asensio, the film follows the creative and personal journey of Scottish-Taiwanese ceramicist Nancy Fuller and her quest for balance through firing in a traditional Japanese wood-fired kiln. A discussion with the artist and director will follow the screening.

Tribute to Mako Artigas

One of the most moving moments of Krafted'26 will be the tribute to Mako Artigas. Historian Ricard Bru will celebrate the career of this prominent Japanese artist, a key—though often overlooked—figure in the cultural exchange between Catalonia and Japan.

The event will also feature the presence of Mako Artigas herself, Joanet Gardy Artigas and Isao Llorens Ishikawa, leading figures in the artistic dialogue between both territories.

The footprint of Osaka 2025

The day will conclude with a round table discussion dedicated to the legacy of the recent Expo 2025 Osaka. Architects Rocío Pina and Néstor Montenegro, along with ceramist Guillem Cumella, will analyze the design and creation of the ceramic pieces that shaped the Spanish Pavilion at the World Expo held in Japan.

In addition to the Japan-focused activities, Krafted'26 will bring together prominent local creatives and professionals such as Inés Sistiaga, Olga Pajares, and Yoyo Balagué. The event will also feature a special presentation by Cerámica Cumella, who will explain their work on the iconic tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família Basilica.

This edition is part of the official program of Barcelona 2026 UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, an international initiative that aims to bring architecture, urban planning and landscaping closer to the public, highlighting its ability to transform the way we live and coexist.

In this context, Krafted also becomes a meeting point to connect with professionals and find new collaborators for future projects.