Design
January 8, 2015
Eco & Art Award 2012: Young and Eco-Conscious Designs Converge
Eco & Art Award 2012
Young, Eco-Conscious Designs Converge!
The exhibition for the "Eco & Art Award," now in its fourth year, will be held at Konica Minolta Plaza in Shinjuku from March 4th. Thirty-nine works, selected from 279 submissions to the art competition "KONICA MINOLTA Eco & Art Award 2012 supported by Pen," which centers on the theme of "ideas and designs that fuse environment and art," are scheduled to be displayed.
Text by SUGIURA Shu (OPENERS)
New "next ACTION" Category Established Following 3.11
The Eco & Art Award exhibition has been held annually since 2009. It showcases artistic works, product designs, graphic designs, or their concepts and ideas created by young creators and artists aged 16 to 35, aimed at promoting environmental activities (eco) from an artistic perspective. Unique works are born each year.
Exhibited works from the Visual Arts Division.
Exhibited works from the Product & Communication Division.
Previously, selections were made in two divisions: "Visual Arts" and "Product & Communication." This year, a new "next ACTION" division has been established, aiming to leverage the power of art to help Japan overcome hardship and adversity. Submissions were sought for works that deeply explore the events of 3.11, or for ideas that open the door to Japan's recovery and future.
The judging panel included Takayuki Ando, editor-in-chief of Pen magazine, and Yusuke Iseya, an actor who leads Rebirth Project, a company dedicated to redesigning society with the theme of "a project for 7 billion people to survive on Earth." As Ando commented, "I felt that many of this year's submissions carried strong messages. This is likely due in large part to the impact of 3.11. They give the impression of engaging sincerely and positively with the times." Indeed, a notable characteristic of this year's entries is the prevalence of socially conscious works compared to previous years.
Exhibited works from the newly established next ACTION division this year.
Nine works from the next ACTION division will be exhibited.
Concepts like the "Eco & Art Award" hold even greater significance in the post-3.11 era. This exhibition offers an opportunity to encounter works that may inspire contemplation on the future of design.
"KONICA MINOLTA Eco & Art Award 2012 supported by Pen" Exhibition
Venue: Konica Minolta Plaza Gallery B & C
3-26-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Shinjuku Takano Bldg. 4F
Tel. 03-3225-5001
Dates: March 4 (Sun) - March 22 (Thu), 2012
10:30 - 19:00 (Last day until 15:00)
Open daily during the exhibition period
Admission Free