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January 23, 2015
Feature: Autumn Design Events 2014
Selected Events You Won't Want to Miss
Feature: Autumn Design Events 2014 (1)
Once again, the season has arrived for numerous design events, primarily centered in Aoyama and Roppongi. Among them, OPENERS has selected events offering sophisticated design and new discoveries, which we introduce below. This article will be updated periodically. We hope you'll use it for your weekend outings and encounter a wealth of diverse inspiration.
Text by TAN Miho (OPENERS)
All Proceeds to Repair Costs for Ishinomaki City's Disaster-Affected Tenants
Exhibition: "Art in Design."
Dates: Thursday, September 4 – Sunday, November 2
Venue: WALLS TOKYO [Haku-san]
Curated by artist Shun Kawakami, this exhibition features 11 design groups active on the world stage. The unique display, focusing on the artistic aspects of design, is a must-see.
Details here
SPECIAL EXHIBITION 2014 "MARENCO × Masaru Suzuki"
Dates: Thursday, October 23 – Tuesday, November 4 (Closed Wednesdays, October 29)
Venue: Arflex shop Tokyo [Ebisu]
A special collaboration event where Arflex's iconic sofa, "MARENCO," meets the dynamic and humorous designs of textile designer Masaru Suzuki.
Details here
Exhibition: "NORTH EAST WEST"
Dates: Thursday, October 23 – Sunday, November 30
Venue: REPUBLIC OF FRITZ HANSEN STORE AOYAMA [Omotesando]
This exhibition showcases 12 beautiful wooden chairs, a fusion of "East" (Japanese sensibility), "West" (Italian craftsmanship), and "North" (the origins of Fritz Hansen in Denmark).
Details here
Daikanyama Design Department
Dates: Friday, October 24 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Daikanyama Tsutaya Books, Daikanyama T-SITE [Daikanyama]
Featuring the latest design products from across Asia, the highlight is that you can touch most of the items on display. Talk events, which were very popular last year, are scheduled daily.
Details here
NEW PRODUCTS 2014 & EXHIBITION
Dates: Friday, October 24 – Monday, November 3
Venue: e-interiors [Omotesando]
This exhibition showcases new products for 2014. Expect the unveiling of "SALVATORI," an Italian architectural stone brand newly handled by e-interiors, and new items presented at Milan Salone.
Details here
Komorebi at CONDE HOUSE
Dates: Friday, October 24 – Tuesday, November 4
Venue: CONDE HOUSE Tokyo [Shinjuku]
To coincide with the world premiere of the latest furniture collection "Challenge," a magical installation themed around "komorebi" (sunlight filtering through trees) will be presented for 12 days only at CONDE HOUSE Tokyo in Shinjuku.
Details here
String & IC Lights Installation by Michael Anastassiades
Dates: Friday, October 24 – Friday, November 7 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Venue: FLOS SPACE [Akabanebashi]
To mark the domestic debut of "String Lights" and "IC Lights," designer Michael Anastassiades himself presents an installation at FLOS SPACE.
Details here
Material and Inspiration
Dates: Friday, October 24 – Friday, November 7
Venue: MAGIS Tokyo Showroom [Aoyama-itchome]
This exhibition explores the distinctive use of materials in Magis furniture and the inspirations behind the designs by the creators. Designer talk sessions are also planned.
Details here
Exhibition: "Design of Activity"
Dates: Friday, October 24, 2014 – Sunday, February 1, 2015
Venue: 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT [Roppongi]
This exhibition broadens the scope beyond manufacturing to highlight the will and activities aimed at understanding and solving societal challenges. It's a valuable opportunity to consider the role of design in future society.
Details here
Any Tokyo 2014
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Zojoji Temple [Shibakoen]
This year's venue is Zojoji Temple, a cultural heritage site of Japan. It features "future designs" created by artists active worldwide, including exhibitors from Milan Salone. Many works will be shown in Japan for the first time.
Details here
SHOWCASE
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Former Lavellia Annex 2F [Daikanyama]
The second installment of "SHOWCASE," an exhibition selecting works from various fields. This event aims to foster cultural exchange and dialogue among exhibitors from Japan, Switzerland, and Taiwan. Expect notable participants like Koichi Futatsumata and Kunihiko Morinaga.
Details here
Tokyo Designers Week 2014
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Meiji Jingu Gaien Central Dome Building [Gaienmae]
In its 29th year, the theme is "Genius." This event is packed with spectacular content, including architectural model exhibitions and projection mapping by car manufacturer Renault.
Details here
MARUNI COLLECTION × minä perhonen
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Tuesday, November 4
Venue: MARUNI WOOD INDUSTRY Tokyo Showroom [Higashi-Nihonbashi]
The "MARUNI COLLECTION" welcomes "dop," a new fabric from "minä perhonen." Celebrate the launch of this product at a special exhibition and discover beautiful interiors that you'll grow to love.
Details here
HANDWORK FURNITURE: An Exhibition of Exquisite, Handcrafted Furniture for Lasting Use
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, November 23
Venue: ACTUS Aoyama Store [Gaienmae]
This exhibition, themed "Handcrafted Furniture for a Peaceful Urban Life," which was held at ACTUS Shinjuku Store in September, is scaled up as a main event of Tokyo Designers Week.
Details here
Exhibition: Mitsuru Koga "color"
Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, November 30
Venue: CLASKA Gallery & Shop "DO" Main Store [Gakugeidaigaku]
An exhibition by sculptor Mitsuru Koga, who has an upcoming solo show in Paris. Experience Koga's creative works, known for his objects made from stone and driftwood, and his trompe-l'œil paper art, which consistently exceed viewer expectations.
Details here
ALESSI LAB #4 – The Cutlery Lab "CLOSE YOUR EYES and KISS YOUR CUTLERY"
Dates: Friday, October 31 – Monday, November 3
Venue: BAtoMA information, Omotesando Hills Space O [Omotesando]
A "blindfolded restaurant for a multi-course meal" appears. This novel design event offers a unique experience of tasting artistic cutlery collections designed by Italian design masters and world-renowned architects.
Details here
ICHIRO 2014 NEW COLLECTION "OVER THE RAINBOW / Design Beyond Color"
Dates: Friday, October 31 – Monday, November 3
Venue: BAtoMA information, Omotesando Hills Space O [Omotesando]
Ichiro presents new furniture developed through discussions with various architects and designers, exploring materials and production methods beyond Ichiro's signature decorative panels and color palettes.
Details here
BAtoMA TRADESHOW / BAtoMA information: Ba to Ma vol.07
Dates: Friday, October 31 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Laforet Museum Harajuku and others [Meiji-jingumae]
This year's theme is "Color." The event proposes ways to incorporate "Color" into daily life from various perspectives, introducing creators who continuously offer new ideas and showcasing upcoming trends, not just in spaces but also in lifestyle.
Details here
BAtoMA information Talk Event "MADO - Window"
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: BAtoMA information, Omotesando Hills Main Building B3F Space O [Omotesando]
A talk event organized by Daily Press, which handles PR for a wide range of lifestyles with a focus on design. Talented creators who inspire the Daily Press team through their work will be featured.
Details here
100 Makers’ Open Base!
Dates: Saturday, November 1, Sunday, November 2, Monday, November 3
Venue: Makers’ Base [Meguro]
A large-scale workshop event open to the public, where you can experience making things with 100 artists. Activities include crafting wooden butter knives and creating glass Christmas ornaments.
Details here
Meguro Interior Collection 2014
Dates: Saturday, November 1 – Monday, November 3
Venue: Daikanyama Hillside Terrace F Building [Daikanyama]
This event proposes highly refined interior spaces that fuse the hard aspects of the building with the soft elements of living spaces and furnishings. The theme is "Renovation Olympics," where furniture and interiors from around the world compete.
Details here
MAKOTO KAGOSHIMA EXHIBITION 2014 "Makoto Kagoshima's Pattern Exhibition"
Dates: Saturday, November 1 – Tuesday, November 18
Venue: doinel [Gaienmae]
An exhibition by Makoto Kagoshima, a popular artist known for his ceramics and products featuring animals and plants depicted in his unique worldview. Five collaborators, who deeply understand Kagoshima's appeal, are involved in product creation and spatial design.
Details here
NAKANIWA Pop-up Shop "Artisans' Courtyard - ARTISANS -" [Interview]
Dates: Sunday, November 2, Monday, November 3
Venue: valveat 81 Gallery [Omotesando]
Born from Maruwakaya's "Pop-up Office in Nakagawa Town, Tokushima Prefecture," this event showcases "beautiful things from Tokushima," including hamadawashi, which continues the tradition of Tosa Tengujo paper, and BUAISOU., a young unit specializing in indigo dyeing.
Details here
Selected Events You Won't Want to Miss
Feature: Autumn Design Events 2014 (2)
CMF Design Exhibition "Ao Fes"
Dates: Tuesday, October 28, Wednesday, October 29
Venue: LIGHT BOX STUDIO AOYAMA [Omotesando]
This exhibition aims to revitalize Japanese manufacturing by creating new markets and adding value to excellent technologies through the lens of CMF (Color, Material, Finish) design.
Details here
Rolf Benz Roadshow 2014
Date: Friday, October 24
Venue: IDC Otsuka Furniture Ginza Main Store [Ginza]
The 50th-anniversary model of the "Rolf Benz" sofa, which garnered attention at Milan Salone, makes its Japan debut. On Friday the 24th, a free talk with designer Norbert Beck and a special order event will be held.
Details here
Salone in Roppongi 2014 [Interview]
Dates: Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 26
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Atrium
A work that captivated Milan Salone this spring with its fantastical radiance, using Kartell chairs, arrives in Roppongi. This feature delves into the essence of the design through interviews with the designer and general producer.
Details here
DENTO-HOUSE Ginza Mitsukoshi Pop-up Shop
Dates: Wednesday, October 15 – Tuesday, October 28
Venue: Ginza Mitsukoshi 8F, Japan Edition [Ginza]
DENTO-HOUSE, aiming for "design that lasts 100 years," opens its first limited-time shop in Japan. Featured are Ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Katsumi Asaba, lacquerware tableware, and newly interpreted Kokeshi dolls, all available for display and sale.
Details here
WATERCOLOR by Serena Mitnik-Miller & GENERAL STORE
Dates: Saturday, October 11 – Sunday, October 26
Venue: CURATOR’S CUBE [Toranomon]
This exhibition showcases new abstract watercolor paintings by Serena Mitnik-Miller, featuring stacked lines and repetitive patterns. A pop-up store, "GENERAL STORE," offering items selected by Serena, will also be open.
Details here
Exhibition: Erik Höglund
Dates: Wednesday, October 1 – Monday, October 20
Venue: Shibuya Hikarie 8/ ART GALLERY / Tomio Koyama Gallery [Shibuya]
This exhibition features works by Erik Höglund, hailed as a revolutionary figure in Nordic glass art. Approximately 150 early works, created between 1953 and 1973, including vases, ashtrays, and objects, are on display.
Details here
Artifort - Pierre Paulin Fair
Dates: Wednesday, October 1 – Saturday, October 18
Venue: METROCS TOKYO [Shinbashi]
Pierre Paulin, a leading French designer active during the mid-century, is featured. Numerous masterpieces released by Artifort will be exhibited in limited quantities. Special pricing will be available for this event only.
Details here