Until September 13, the Latvian design exhibition 89th Second will be on view in the Baltic Pavilion at Espo 2025 Osaka. The exhibition explores humanity’s fragile relationship with nature, interpreting one of Latvia’s national symbols — the pine tree — in different ways. Featuring works by designers Dace Sūna, Gateris Works, and Studio Sarmīte, the exhibition prompts reflection on the ecological crisis and humanity’s role in it. The 89th Second exhibit is part of the European Union’s exhibition Design Beyond Things.
89th Second is part of the European Union’s official exhibition Design Beyond Things, which invites visitors of Expo 2025 Osaka to reflect on the lexicon of contemporary European design at a time of profound social change and urgent need for a new hope for the future. Selected by curators Patrizia Catalano and Miriam Giordano, the exhibition brings together works by 30 of the most innovative and creative designers from 16 EU member states, emphasising design’s transformative power — from circularity and sustainable production to reclaiming local and global identity.
The 89th Second exhibition represents a significant step in strengthening Latvia’s international visibility in the field of design, and its physical presence at Expo 2025 Osaka is crucial to representing Latvia’s cultural and creative sector on the global stage. «For Latvian design, participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is truly a unique opportunity to be present at the world’s most important exhibition. I am delighted that three Latvian designers have created works that form a unified ensemble, in which the pine tree — a symbol deeply rooted in Latvian nature and culture — s transformed into an emotional and powerful message about the ecological crisis and humanity’s responsibility in it. We hope that both the aesthetics and the profound narrative of these works will capture the attention of visitors and media alike, ensuring Latvian design takes an ever stronger place on the world design map. With this exhibition, it is important for us not only to foster discussion on pressing global challenges but also to demonstrate the innovative, sensorial, and thought-provoking ideas that Latvian designers can offer,» comments Dita Danosa, Director of the Latvian Design Centre.
The title of the Latvian exhibition, 89th Second, refers to the Doomsday Clock, which currently stands at 89 seconds to midnight: a symbolic measure of humanity’s proximity to a human-made global catastrophe. The works on display invite audiences to reflect on our shared responsibility towards nature and the environment, showing how design and creativity can contribute to addressing global challenges.
Designer Dace Sūna presents Sky-Set, a layered opalescent glass light that captures the shifting colours of the sky — from cool blues to sunset reds —drawing on Rayleigh scattering. Its circular form recalls dendrochronology, echoing tree rings that trace the passage of time and environmental change. The work reflects both the wonder of our atmosphere and the impacts of pollution, forest fires, and climate change, urging us to reconnect with and protect our planet.
The design studio Gateris Works has created the Freckle Chair — a tribute to timber marked by knots, colour fluctuations, or insect traces that the furniture industry classifies as «lower grade». Inspired by diversity in beauty and fashion, where individuality has become a driving force, the Freckle Chair urges us to reconsider how much «ugly» wood we dismiss from being appreciated and calls us to rethink inclusion and sustainability standards in design.
Studio Sarmīte contributes the sculptural PineSkins pouf, which blurs the boundary between functional furniture and artefact. Its form evokes a tree stump and an abstract landscape, covered with over 2,000 scales made of PineSkins—an innovative material developed by designer Sarmīte Poļakova. Produced from softened pine bark, this material transforms by-products of the timber industry into a tactile and sensorial design experience.
«Our exhibition shows how one symbol — the pine tree — can be interpreted in very different ways and how wide is the scope that design can address. This is our chance to demonstrate the contribution we can make towards building a sustainable future,» comments Dace Sūna. «Although the questions we raise and our design approaches differ, the works complement each other perfectly. Participation in Expo is not only an opportunity to spark discussion on issues we consider vital but also a chance to highlight the potential of Latvian design — particularly in Japan, with which we share a similar view of the interaction between nature, people, and craft,» adds Eva Abduļina from Gateris Works.
«Design Beyond Things demonstrates design’s ability to create a more inclusive and sustainable environment, fostering respect for both people and nature. The Latvian contribution integrates seamlessly into the exhibition, with the message about ecological and socio-economic change providing the foundation for unique product design,» says Sarmīte Poļakova (Studio Sarmīte).
The exhibition Design Beyond Things will be open in Osaka from 31 August to 13 September 2025. It will take place in a hybrid format: some works will be presented physically, while others will be shown digitally. The EU Pavilion will showcase works by thirteen designers, while the contributions from Latvia and Lithuania will be exhibited in the Baltic Pavilion.
The participation of Latvian designers in Design Beyond Things is organised by the Latvian Design Centre, which is responsible for the conceptual and practical implementation of the exhibition in the Baltic Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Japan. The project is financially supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
Viedokļi