Royal Gold for Ito

More from Archinect here.
Sep 30, 2005

More from Archinect here.
Sep 30, 2005
I’m definitely all for more reading spaces!
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

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? 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).
The event is taking place in Shinjuku’s Goldengai area until October 9.
Sep 28, 2005
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I don’t even know what to expect from “Bend++,” but the description at REALTOKYO makes it sound intriguing.
More event info here.
Sep 28, 2005
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:
Sep 28, 2005
After some delays and an almost-cancellation, Yokohama’s International Triennale of Contemporary Art is now upon us.
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

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

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
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

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

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 has closed down — the last nail in the coffin of the Shibuya-kei scene? More from Marxy.
Sep 26, 2005