Sensing Nature

Sensing Nature

One reason that I love living in this town is the art galleries. They are huge, tiny and everything in between. They are hidden down back streets in unassuming suburbs (like the fantastic SCAI The Bathhouse in historical Yanaka) or dominating the Tokyo skyline as is the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, where I went to check out this incredible exhibition last weekend.

The concept of the masterful Sensing Nature is as follows, taken from the Mori publication:

Yoshioka Tokujin, Shinoda Taro and Kuribayashi Takashi are three internationally active artists/designers who give abstract or symbolic expression to immaterial or amorphous concepts as well as natural phenomenon such as snow, water, wind, light, stars, mountains, waterfalls and forests. Their ideas of nature suggest that it is not something that is to be contrasted with the human world, but that it is something that incorporates all life-forms, including human-beings. 

Sounds fascinating? It is. The three artists interpreted this theme in a slightly different way, but all created works that played with scale, movement and texture, making them extremely sensitive and captivating. And I really do love how you're allowed to take photos in the Mori - other galleries take note!

Yoshioka Tokujin's Snow. Tokujin produced a similar installation for an Issey Miyake catwalk show years ago, and has recreated the effect on a huge scale - this piece is room-size, and the rooms at the Mori sure ain't small!

A close-up of the material used - soft, downy feathers.

Tokujin's Waterfall, a huge block of man-made crystal.

The texture creates an amazing sense of movement.

Obey the crystal.

Intricate detail.

A section of the Reverberation trilogy, video art by Shinoda Taro. This was a beautiful portrayal of the progression of time in both natural and man-made environments. 

and not to forget my favourite...

 Kuribayashi Takashi's Wald aus Wald. A beautiful white papier-mache (I'm sure it has a more technical term) forest which you peek into from holes in the "ground". Viewing the installation from above and below were two totally different experiences...I think this is what makes it so successful.

You are underground (sort of...)!

Then you poke-a your head out, as you can see me demonstrating...

...and this is what you see!

It's on until the 7th November, so you've got plenty of time to check it out.

E.

Katharina Trudzinski & Hui-Hui

Katharina Trudzinski & Hui-Hui

This is what happens when great artists and textile designers get together and start a fashion label. You end up with something tactile, colourful and inspired.

Hui-Hui was founded by German artist and designer Katharina Trudzinski, whose fashion designs evolved naturally from her beautiful sculpture and installation art. Sight Unseen found out more details about Katharina's work:

Made from constellations of scraps, street finds, and everyday junk cloaked in perfectly calibrated hues, her work — some of which becomes inspiration for the pieces in her clothing line — is meant to dialogue with its surroundings. “It’s not my intent that the materials should be cheap, I just like to use things that are around me,” she says. “I like to start with what I’ve got.”

I really admire an artist who chooses to work with recycled materials, especially when they can create something as unique and contemporary as Trudzinski's work. Take note, design industry.


E.

Japatterns

Japatterns

Like every curious blogger has before me, I've started a tumblr. It's called Japatterns. Japan / patterns / you get me?

As a textile print designer my eyes are more or less fixated on anything patterned within sight. Which, in a city like Tokyo, means I'm on overload pretty much all the time. No, I swear I'm looking at you...no I'm not looking at the amazing wallpaper behind your head...

Hence this tumblr was born! I'm hoping it will become a really useful online resource for those as clearly besotted with Japanese patterns as I am.

And one more thing...

Courtesy of the pattern mecca that is Patternity, my stunning limited edition (I was 990/1000 - just made it!) screen-printed tights arrived today. I can't believe I'm trying them on considering how hot it is outside, but I'm hoping to encourage a bit of Autumn weather here.


E.

Would You Like That In a Bag?

Would You Like That In a Bag?

Japan has a great tradition of wrapping things up. And why not? If you're going to give someone a present, be it large or small, why not diss the typical piece of wrapping paper for something a little more surprising and unique?

In the basement level of Shibuya's Parco, the ever-so-stylish stationery shop Delfonics is exhibiting the Paper Bag Market #2 (clearly #1 happened before I moved to the country, so I'm glad they considered me this time). I visited last weekend and was squee-ing in delight at all the cute baggy goods for sale. And check out the gorgeous exhibition space - decked out like a cool 70's Eames-adorned office. E for effort Tokyo, once again.

Naturally the prices were exorbitant, even if some of the bags were "vintage"...ahem, they're still just paper. But! Here is my little selection. I've used quite a few already for little gifts sent back home. Too fun.

If you're in TYO check it out, it's on until October 7.

Get wrapping.

E.