Posts from — September 2008

In order to greater serve the increasingly popular concept of Skeleton Infill (SI) housing (a concept in which the skeleton of the house is preserved while the insides change) in Japan, Atelier OPA has designed a series of collapsible work, sleep and eat stations. The first marketed product from the kenchikukagu series is the work station, which has recently become available on Amazon Japan for um… 800,000 yen.

(images courtesy of Atelier OPA)

I’ve really enjoyed writing this mini retrospective on Kenya Hara. I feel like I’ve gained additional insight from studying his work so closely. And while there is so much more great work I’d like to show you, I feel I should conclude with HAPTIC, an exhibition organized by Hara, which is sort of a culmination of his work and ideas.

For this exhibition, Hara recruited 21 international designers and architects and challenged them to recreate common objects driven by our 5 senses. The results, which include hair lanterns, tofu geta slippers and water pachinko, are astounding. The show first opened in Japan in 2004. In 2007 it traveled to RIBA in London. Now it is showing through the end of September at the Lighthouse, in Scotland. If anyone is nearby I urge you to visit this show. I just really really hope that it makes its way to the U.S.!

If you would like to read up on Hara, he published a fantastic book titled “Designing Design.” It was published in Japanese in 2003 and then translated into English last year. What to watch for from Hara in the future? 1) a collaboration with rock star architect Shigeru Ban, 2) ongoing “Ex-Formation” project with his students and 3) 2 hotel projects which he’s been rumored to be working on.

In 1999 and 2000 Hara produced some incredible work for Japanese breweries. First was the “Dandelion Wine” for Mukawa City in Hokkaido, famous for their fields of dandelions. The exquisite illustration was modified each year, with an additional puffball. The following year, he produced “Hakkin Bottle” for the Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery.

In 1998 and then in 2002, Hara conceived an innovative signage project for two hospitals; the Umeda Hospital in 1998 and the Katta Hospital in 2002. There are 2 interesting things about these designs. First is that the signage is made from cloth. The cloth is also removable and washable, allowing staff workers to maintain a sterile and clean feeling. The concept was derived from restaurants, who welcome their guests with a clean white tablecloth. The second noticeable characteristic is the bold typography uses as a systematic method to guide people to their destinations.

Umeda Hospital

Katta Hospital

(image courtesy of ssahn)
Kenya Hara (b. 1958)
-Received his MFA from Musashino Art University. Currently teaches fundamental design there.
-Director of Nippon Design Center
-Sits on the advisory board of MUJI (along with Naoto Fukasawa)

This is a quote from his book, “Designing Design”
“Continuously moving forward is not necessarily an advancement. We are currently poised on the brink of past and future. I believe that the beginning of creativity can often be found by gazing at society from behind, rather than following what society’s gaze points to.”

I wanted to do a retrospective on Hara Kenya, arguably one of the most influential forces in Japanese contemporary design today. I thought it was particularly timely given the completion of the Beijing Olympics, and all the work Hara has done in regards to China and Chinese culture. Although not chosen, Hara’s work was among the final nominations for symbols and images that were to be used in promotional materials for the Beijing Olympics.

Human senses are a central theme to Hara’s work. He believes that sensory overload is beneficial, but differentiates between sensory overload that we receive from our 5 senses and that which we receive from the information highway, dismissing the latter as fragmented and insufficient. For this reason, history also plays an important role for Hara because traditional, and sometimes primitive, methods are key to unlocking our senses. Some of his more recent work, namely the Qianmen Avenue Project, although unrealized at this point, involves the past and present of the historic Qianmen Avenue in China. After a drastic renovation leading up to the Olympics, this location symbolized the struggle between modernization and preservation.

I’m going to rewind now and take a look at some of Hara’s earlier work.

1998 – promotional material for the Nagano Winter Olympics.
I love how the embossing gives the appearance of footsteps in snow. Very wintery!

1998-2000 promotional material for the Aichi EXPO 2005.
The theme for the first EXPO of the 21st Century was “Nature’s Wisdom.” Hara used the Honzo Zusetsu, a collection of natural history illustrations from the late Edo period, as motifs for the material. The result is an effective portrayal of technology as a conduit for the integration of man and nature.

(images courtesy of Kenya Hara)

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
I’m currently working on a retrospective of one of my favorite Japanese designers. Hopefully I’ll be able to share something with you by Wednesday, or perhaps Tuesday. In the meanwhile, check out these cute T-shirts by husband-and-wife designer duo Noto Fusai. They’re meant to be worn by parent and child!
The designs are from the shikisai collection in collaboration with fashion retailer Tomorrowland.

I have a slightly personal announcement to make.

My son, Huey, said his first word the other night….. “iTunes”

Have a happy weekend!

The Kids Design Award 2008 was back for a second year, helping to promote creative, aesthetic and safe design for kids. The winners were announced last month but these are my favorites.

The “fun fan table manners set” creates a fun atmosphere for kids while establishing a subtle guide to table manners. The pieces are made out of bamboo, an eco-conscious choice to preserve our trees and forests. You can purchase one in Japan from Isetan Department Store (about 20,000 yen) or order one directly through the company.

“Garbage bag art work,” designed by MAQ Inc., helps promote the understanding that if there isn’t a garbage can around we need to take our trash home with us, instead of littering. I thought loops as bunny ears was absolutely brilliant. And depending on how you stuff the bag and tie the knot the result is a different looking bunny each time! Lots more pictures HERE. Also available for purchase (300~500 yen) on Amazon Japan.

The Oscar the Grouch was designed by Japanese musician and illustrator Lily Franky in collaboration with Sesame Street Japan. They were used in the Eco Kids Project to promote environmental awareness.

Super addictive game! But I’m embarrased to share my score. I think I’m color blind.

(thanks GQ!)

F.O.B COOP is one of my favorite little stores in Japan. It’s like the equivalent of anthropologie. Anyway, I was flabbergasted when I discovered that they had an architectural unit, F.O.B Homes, with over 10 homes under their belt! Check out one of their more recent designs, “Beach House,” along the shoreline of Chiba prefecture. The home was designed for a husband, wife and their 3 doggies.  I’m not sure, but I get the feeling that the interior was garnished with goodies from their shop.

(images courtesy of F.O.B Homes)

I think it would be so fun to have this fake paper mirror up on one of my walls!

found over at design-by moooi