Dezeen · Creativity & design

Craft x Tech exhibition bridges Japanese craftsmanship and global design

The Craft x Tech exhibition at the V&A for London Design Festival showcases collaborations between Japanese artisans from the Tokai region and international designers, exploring new applications for traditional techniques.

The project pairs artisans with designers like Philippe Malouin and Bethan Laura Wood, aiming to discover unexplored possibilities within established crafts. Founder Hideki Yoshimoto emphasized that the knowledge accumulated over centuries in a craft can have relevance beyond its original purpose.

Collaborations include Eugene Kangawa and Mayuki Kato with porcelain tiles, Atang Tshikare and Tomoyuki Matsuda with Iga kumihimo braided cords, and David Caon with Yohei Ito using oribe glaze on ceramic consoles. The aim was to create a "distance" to encourage designers and craftspeople to find their own unique connections.

Industrial designer David Caon noted that his ceramic console, Fushi, preserved the spirit of his original concept while incorporating the distinct green glaze and precision of Fudogama craftsmanship.

Bethan Laura Wood's Kataginu light collection, created with artisan Hiroyuki Murase, utilizes the arimatsu narumi shibori dyeing technique. The lights draw inspiration from traditional Japanese garments and architectural elements, exploring unpredictable color transitions.

Philippe Malouin's Kasane boxes, made with Shigeyuki Ando, are functional vessels that stack to form totems. The design features spontaneous, handmade patterns translated through Ando's meticulous cloisonné technique, creating a contrast between simplicity and skill.

The exhibition, running from September 12 to 30, highlights how traditional Japanese craftsmanship can be reinterpreted through global design perspectives, resulting in contemporary and innovative pieces.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.