May 6, 2011 / Johnny / Comments Off on experimental musician Ichi plays in a public bathhouse
I just discovered the Japanese experimental musician Ichi. Taking full advantage of its acoustic qualities, in the video below Ichi performs live in a sento (publich bathhouse). The action takes place amid the eye-catching décor of a bathhouse while an anachronistic performer uses everything from chime-equipped stilts, steel-drums with ping-pong balls and glockenspiels all accentuated by tape-loops.
Ichi is also a 20-year long member of the Nagoya new-wave band Nohshinto, has toured extensively as a solo artist in Japan, and has played with Shugo Tokumaru. Earlier this year he played with Deerhoof in NYC. You can hear more of his tracks on his myspace page.
This simple valet called “Spring Day” crated for Busso by Kensaku Oshiro, an Okinawan transplant now living in Milan. Kensaku has taken part in several exhibitions including Salone Satellite in Milan, Tokyo Designers Week, New Design Generation in China and has won prestigious awards: Elle Décor France – Young Talent of the Year (2006), Red Dot Design Award (2008), IF Design Award (2009). See more of his work at: www.kensakuoshiro.com.
Visit Busso’s site to see the rest of their furniture collection, all “clean, straightforward design whose excellent finishing enjoys high regard.” You can also purchase pieces on their E-store (US only) at: shopbussolari.mybigcommerce.com
Late last year an exhibition was held at the Shibuya gallery ROCKET, featuring a collaboration between Rikako Nagashima, a young art director at ad agency Hakuhodo, and Hideto Hyoudou, an acrylic craftsman. “Mizukagami” (water mirror) garnered the attention of many in the design industry not only because of the participants’ credentials – the previous year Nagashima had won new designer of the year award – but also because of the curious, disturbing, hallucinatory nature of the work.
The two designers have now brought their work to the market with a series of drippy acrylic mirrors being available for purchase. Prices range between 31,500 yen and 50, 400 yen and can be purchased at Mitsubai Tokyo. You have to match up the prices with their corresponding number.
May 3, 2011 / Johnny / Comments Off on Miyashita Park by Atelier Bow-Wow
Up until very recently, depending on where you were on the spectrum of social politics, Miyashita Park was either a safehaven for those rejected from society, or a neighborhood blight that is breeding ground for trouble.
But on April 30th a brand new Miyashita Park opened to the public and, despite the same name, it is unrecognizable to anyone who knew it prior to its reincarnation. What used to be home to hundreds of homeless, the blue tarpaulin, cardboard boxes and tents that comprised their dwellings are now nowhere to be seen. What used to feel like a space so far-removed from civilization it felt like a different country, has now, perhaps by force, been integrated into the hip mega-district that is Shibuya. More on that here.
With funding from Nike and blueprints provided by renowned architects Atelier Bow-Wow, a brand new space for the local community, equipped with everything from skating ramps to rock-climbing walls, has been put in place. Theoretically, efforts were made to preserve some remnants of what is now past. For example, park tables are made from the old concrete walls of the park. However, it’s sad to think that the majority of people who are now enjoying this space have no idea about what it used to be.
Stepping out of his comfort zone, which typically is devoted to capturing images of gundam, youtube user darwinfish105 has created a mesmerizing before-after video that portrays the collective efforts of a city to conserve electricity in the wake of the disaster in Tohoku.
Kaminokousakuji, also known as the gods of paper (to me anyway), are putting on their fourth exhibition. Having been postponed due to the earthquake, the way many things were, the show successfully opened 2 days ago. Being showcased are some fantastic works made out of paper, by some of my favorite designers. As with each year, the show runs with a certain theme. This year: Adhesives.
“Tapehook” by Torafu, modeled after the way tape curls.
Enigmatic Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa’s ±0 (plus minus zero) brand has just released their latest design, a series of vintage-inspired wire tableware for housing basic items like fruit, eggs and toast. They are made from steel and come in a black matte-finish. Adorable!
You can request to purchase them from white rabbit express
egg carton | 1575 yen egg cup | 1050 yen
toast stand | 1575 yen
Is it just me or does that toast look incredibly appetizing?
Editor’s Note: in the wake of the series of earthquakes that have struck Kyushu in April 2016 we’d like to remember this amazing, unscripted commercial. If the people of Kyushu can pull off a stunt like this, we believe they’ll pull through this tragedy.
On March 12 – one day after the tragic earthquake – on the island of Kyushu a new shinkansen, or bullet train, that vertically connected the entire island opened on schedule. However, deemed overly cheery and happy, a TV commercial, along with all other print advertisements, were pulled, only to recently resurface. The ad spot immediately went viral, proving that this was exactly what we needed: 15,000 people doing a jubilant “human wave” across an entire island! The catchy tune that accompanies the footage is a song called BOOM, performed by Maia Hirasawa, a half-Swedish, half-Japanese singer/songwriter.
Watch carefully as there is something here for everyone that will crack a laugh or a tear: firefighters doing chin-ups @ 00:29; Power Rangers @ 1:04; newlyweds @ 01:25; pro-wrestlers @ 02:29.
Here is the official website that is not only a treasure trove of other related media, but also details how the ad campaign came together. What was revealing to me was that it was unrehearsed and unscripted. Basically it was an open invitation to anyone who wanted to come out and wave at the train. Bravo!
I love this new product idea from Japanese design label ideaco. It’s a slick, minimal saran wrap holder that replaces that eye-sore packaging it comes in. It also has a magnetized edge that sticks to your refrigerator and can be used right from its location, or removed. It comes in 2 sizes – 22cm (1,575 yen) and 30cm (1,890 yen) – and I believe the larger size can accommodate U.S. sizes (but forget about the costco size).
You can request to purchase it from white rabbit express
Funny story: we know some friends who, of all the things they could bring from Japan, insist on bringing back saran wrap because it’s just so much better than the uncutable stuff you find here.
