Royal Gold for Ito
The Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, is the winner of one of architecture’s most prestigious prizes, the Royal Gold Medal.
More from Archinect here.
Sep 30, 2005
Reading Space
I’m definitely all for more reading spaces!
This exhibition proposes reading space designs. Just like different people appreciate different books, readers have preferences about atmospheres for reading. The concept is that changing something about your reading environment or creating a reading space will enable you to create your own world of books. (TAB)
It’s happening at Living Design Center Ozone (where Jesper will giving a talk during Tokyo Design Week in a Swedish Style-related event) until October 11.
Sep 29, 2005
Cut Again
Fresh cut. I really should get cuts more often, I always feel so good afterwards — I’m just not big on going to the salon.
Sep 29, 2005
Tokumaru at O-Nest
Shugo Tokumaru will be supporting the release of his new record, L.S.T. (which I loved, and reviewed quite positively for the next issue of OK FRED, out next week), with a show at Shibuya O-Nest on October 14. Start time is 18:30, with entry at 2000 yen (2300 yen at the door, includes a drink).
Sep 29, 2005
GAW: Goldengai Art Waves Part 5
GAW? That has got to be one of the worst acronyms ever — which doesn’t change that the idea behind this take-it-to-the-street approach to art exhibition is quite a good one, and it seems to be a growing trend (see CET 2005).
Held at various places each year since its launch in Shinjuku’s Goldengai (“Golden Street”) in 1999, this unique exhibition project traveled so far to Okikamurojima (Yamaguchi Prefecture), Tappizaki, Minmaya-mura (Aomori Prefecture), and a village near Nimes in France. This year marks GAW’s return to Shinjuku. If you roam the streets of the area and keep your eyes open you will spot installations by the likes of Endo Toshikatsu, and chances are you encounter the photographic work of Moriyama Daido, Narahashi Asako, Suzuki Risaku and Onaka Koji while having a drink or two at a bar. Interesting sound also contributions by newcomer artists, such as Akutsu Chihiro’s video art or Moriwaki Tamaho’s Japanese folk tale-flavored installation. (REALTOKYO)
The event is taking place in Shinjuku’s Goldengai area until October 9.
Sep 28, 2005
Bend++
I don’t even know what to expect from “Bend++,” but the description at REALTOKYO makes it sound intriguing.
The term “bending” doesn’t only stand for working with electricity off one’s own bat, but implies also Frankenstein-esque experimentation with consumer-friendly devices, electric circuits and programs, with the aim to create little technological monsters. Required for that is no manual, but only creativity and a love of groping for ways to make things. This event is a gathering of a handful of crazy folks from the sound and media art sphere, who come together under the “bending” banner to explore the new possibilities this form of technology holds in store. Organizer is Kubota Akihiro, always a good name when it’s about interesting, innovative things. The event coincides with the second installment of Dorkbot Tokyo, a meeting of “people doing strange things with electricity”.
More event info here.
Sep 28, 2005
MisoSoupDesign
I don’t have time to explore it much right now, but a quick look at MisoSoupDesign’s site shows some interesting works/concepts. From Archinect:
MisoSoupDesign. directed by Daisuke Nagatomo & Minnie Jan, has been investigating architecture through material, space, and fluidity. As each project develops, we discover different ways to approach and design architecture and furniture, with layers of convergence and divergence. Innovative use of technology is the main player in this investigation because it could maximize or minimize the potential structure and connections. Wondering about the limits of technology inspires us to think how to generate architecture with functionality and sustainability.
Sep 28, 2005
Yokohama 2005
After some delays and an almost-cancellation, Yokohama’s International Triennale of Contemporary Art is now upon us.
Yokohama’s second International Triennale of Contemporary Art – builds on the success of Yokohama 2001 and will feature the work of around 80 participating international and Japanese artists exhibiting in the main venue – two enormous warehouses located on Yamashita Pier. The Triennale offers an alternative to the conventional style of art exhibition in which the observer simply looks at the works, instead offering a dialogue-based exhibition in which the barrier between the observer and the exhibitor is transcended, with the observer present during the artist creative process and being able to actually experience the work.
There will be an emphasis on “involvement with the site”. This will be a new type of venue for people to encounter art realized through initiatives such as home-stays by artists and also by featuring participation-based art. The public will have the opportunity to view or be involved in the artist’s creative process while much of the work will undergo change as a result of interaction with the community (works-in-progress).
Triennale plans also include movie screenings, community workshops on theater and other art-related topics, and events such as symposiums and gallery lectures to encourage interaction between art and the community. (TAB)
It takes place at the Yokohama Yamashita Pier No. 3/4 Warehouse, until December 18.
Sep 28, 2005
In the Paper
For those who were curious to see what the column looked like in today’s paper and couldn’t get their hands on a copy, here’s a scan. It ran all along one side of the page (top to bottom).
Sep 28, 2005
Designboom in Tokyo
To add to the crazy number of interesting events happening during Tokyo Design Week, online design magazine Designboom is coming to Tokyo for the first time to participate in the 100% Design Tokyo exhibition (November 2-6). Their show will include more than 40 designers from around the world, and will be presented in the form of a bazaar, with items on sale being “design-originals” (limited series or prototypes). Sounds like fun, and the prices are set to start at 1000 yen (up to 15 000 yen), so there’ll be something there for even the tightest of budgets.
Pictured in this post are the “Birdi Nam Nam” porcelain lamps, by Buero Fuer Form (Germany).
Sep 28, 2005
On Design
My new column for THE JAPAN TIMES, called “On Design,” is going to appear in the lifestyle section of tomorrow’s paper (Tuesday), and will continue on a monthly basis every fourth Tuesday. In it, I will spotlight 4-5 items that I feel to be noteworthy for their design. For this first edition I chose 4 diverse things, to give an idea of what will be covered, but future columns will probably have a theme to them. So pick up the paper tomorrow (or read it online), and let me know what you think.
For manufacturers/designers reading this, please send me press releases and contact info for items that you feel might be of interest. Take note that the column covers Japan designs only.
Update: The column is now online.
Sep 27, 2005
Metropolis 600
This week’s issue of METROPOLIS marks the big 600 for the magazine, and the cover feature is a fun look at 600+ tidbits (so massive it needs to be continued in the next issue) about the city. Congrats to the whole crew for making it so far! The weekly has been a constant (back from when it was called TOKYO CLASSIFIED) the whole time I’ve lived here, and I still pick up every issue.
Sep 26, 2005
CET 2005
The annual “Central East Tokyo” (CET) event, part of the ongoing R-project that aims to “revitalize Tokyo’s economically and culturally depressed central east district,” is getting set for its third appearance (October 1-10). Events will take place in many areas (Marunouchi, Nihonbashi, Kanda, Higashi-Kanda, Akihabara, Bukuro-cho, and Hacchoubori), with the theme this year being “Street Culture Tokyo.” Yukiko Harada talks about the event at REALTOKYO, and I’m already excited about the “Office Vacant” exhibition (designers/artists rethink the typical Japanese work space). I’m not exactly sure how you get your hands on one of their “cultural” maps though (their site has next to no info in English, only this).
Sep 26, 2005
Zest Records R.I.P.
Zest Records has closed down — the last nail in the coffin of the Shibuya-kei scene? More from Marxy.
Sep 26, 2005
Jean Snow is a contributor to 
He will be contributing to the upcoming fifth editions of 
