2014 Milan Salone Latest Report | CITIZEN
CITIZEN
Feature | Milan Salone International Furniture Fair 2014
CITIZEN Debuts with Collaboration with Paris-Based Architect Tsuyoshi Tane
CITIZEN's Pursuit of the Essence of Time and Timepieces──CITIZEN made its debut at Milan Salone as part of its global branding initiative. In collaboration with architect Tsuyoshi Tane (DGT) and lighting and sound director Yutaka Endo (LUFTZUG), the brand created a grand and fantastical space using 80,000 base plates—the components that support all parts of a watch—enhanced by light and sound.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)Photographs by SHIMMURA Takuji
An Installation Using 80,000 Watch Parts
The theme of the installation, a collaboration between CITIZEN's design team and Paris-based architect Tsuyoshi Tane (DGT), was "LIGHT is TIME."
The light-filled installation is rooted in CITIZEN's journey since its founding in 1930, challenging new frontiers in watchmaking. It draws on the company's development of its proprietary technology in 1976, which became the origin of Eco-Drive, converting light into electrical energy to power timekeeping.
This grand concept of "space orchestration"—creating an environment where visitors experience light and time in a way previously unknown to humanity through sound and light—showcases the "allure of CITIZEN design" alongside pocket watches from the 1920s, the brand's origin, and its latest models.
Regarding this installation, Tane (DGT) commented, "Time is light. Without the beginning of light, time would not exist. In the 20th century, humanity digitized, measured, and continuously shortened time, causing us to forget light within time. Without light, the wonders of the universe, the richness of the Earth, and the joy of life cannot be born. Bringing light back to time, 'LIGHT is TIME,' is a challenge to the 'light of the 21st century.'"
DGT | DORELL.GHOTME.TANE / Architects
DGT was established in Paris in 2006 by co-founders Dan Dorell, Lina Ghotmeh, and Tsuyoshi Tane. DGT, which won the international design competition for the Estonian National Museum, attempts to create architecture based on the theme of "memory of place" from its Paris base. Projects are underway in France, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, and Switzerland, including the Estonian National Museum (scheduled for completion in 2016). In 2008, DGT was selected as one of the "20 most influential young architects in the world" by ICON MAGAZINE (UK), and in 2012, their "Kofun Stadium" was a finalist in the New National Stadium Competition, attracting international attention. They have received numerous awards, including the French Ministry of Culture's Prize for Emerging Architects (2008), the Milan Architects Association Award (2008), and the Red Dot Award (2013).
www.dgtarchitects.com
CITIZEN Milan Salone 2014
LIGHT is TIME
Dates | April 8 (Tue) - April 13 (Sun), 2014
Venue | ZONE GF “Curva A”, Triennale di Milano, Milan, Italy
http://www.citizenwatch-global.com/milanosalone/2014/jp.html