Creations that Shone at the Milan Salone Arrive in Roppongi

Just a few months ago, news broke that the Salone del Mobile.Milano (commonly known as the Milan Salone) recorded its highest number of Japanese visitors ever in 2014, with 5,728 attendees. This figure, a 18.8 percent increase from the previous year, propelled Japan into the top 10 non-Italian countries for visitor numbers.

Amidst growing interest in the Milan Salone among Japanese audiences, "Salone in Roppongi" is a design event taking place over ten days from Friday, October 17th to Sunday, October 26th, in the atrium of Tokyo Midtown. The exhibition will feature "SPARKLE LOUNGE," an installation utilizing over 80 units of "SPARKLE," the new side tables and stools by Tokujin Yoshioka, which garnered acclaim when presented by Kartell at this season's Milan Salone.
In essence, designs recognized for their value within the long history of the Milan Salone, now celebrating its 53rd year, will arrive in Roppongi this autumn, imbued with the same energy that electrified the city of Milan.

However, the reason for focusing on Salone in Roppongi is not solely this. In fact, beyond recreating the fervor of the Milan Salone in Tokyo, this exhibition has another objective.

Did you know that Japanese creators, architects, and companies have been achieving remarkable success at the Milan Salone in recent years? For instance, in 2011, Canon, and in 2012, Panasonic, each collaborated with a Japanese architect and won the prestigious EDIDA Design Award for Best Exhibition during the event.

Regrettably, the fact that Japanese creations are making waves globally has not permeated widely within Japan. Yet, it is precisely for this reason that Salone in Roppongi has chosen "Japanese Design Power" as its theme. Salone in Roppongi aims to "re-import" Japan's leading "design quality" back into the country.

The Chemical Reaction Between Specialists and Generalists: The Essence of Creations That Touch the Heart

This year marks the second edition of Salone in Roppongi, but its origins trace back to 2011, when General Producer Yachiko Sasao visited the Milan Salone.

Invited by architect Go Hasegawa, her first visit to the Milan Salone was overwhelming, encountering new stars of the design world, hit products that would soon become standards, and the open-mindedness of Milanese citizens towards design.

The following year, she decided to return as a participant. Indeed, she formed the unit "Passing On Project" with architect Makoto Tanijiri and lighting designer Izumi Okayasu, and presented an installation themed "Touch to turn light into delight" at the 2012 Milan Salone.

Immediately upon returning to Japan, she proactively proposed "Salone in Roppongi" to the organizers of "Tokyo Midtown DESIGN TOUCH," an annual design event held every autumn. Thus, in September 2013, "Salone in Roppongi 2013" was realized as part of "Tokyo Midtown DESIGN TOUCH."

While inspired by diverse influences, Sasao states, "For this second edition, we couldn't imagine anyone other than Tokujin Yoshioka."

Yoshioka is an architect who collaborates with renowned furniture brands and manufacturers such as Cassina, Driade, Vitra, and Moroso, presenting numerous new works annually at the Milan Salone, not only in Japan but internationally. This year, in collaboration with Kartell, Italy's largest plastic furniture manufacturer, he presented stools and side tables that emit a brilliance akin to crystal glass through prism effects, generating significant buzz.

Sasao, who has experienced the Milan Salone firsthand for the past four years since 2011, unequivocally declares Yoshioka to be "a superstar of the Milan Salone." Consequently, she consciously embraced her role as a generalist producer.

Milan, where the Salone has been held for 53 years, is a city where design and daily life are intrinsically integrated. Tokyo Midtown, on the other hand, is an open space visited by people of all types, with varying levels of design knowledge and interest.

Sasao's request to Yoshioka was simple: "Please create a design that resonates most deeply with everyone." This was because the goal was "Japanese design power, for Japan."

The perspectives of the superstar and the generalist transform "Japanese design power" from something to be merely conveyed into something that is truly felt.

Salone in Roppongi 2014: No Longer a Design to Merely Be Seen

The venue, the atrium, is located at the rear of the "Galleria," Tokyo Midtown's shopping area lined with stylish items and shops. In this vast, three-story space with views of the lawn through glass, Yoshioka's installation unfolds, embodying his belief that "natural light is the most beautiful."

Featured artist Tokujin Yoshioka explains, "At my core, I create things that express light. Natural light, in particular, cannot be controlled, so its expression changes with the location and the moment, making it incredibly beautiful. For this project, I've created 'SPARKLE' using plastic to evoke a crystal-like atmosphere. I've likened the refracted light to the sparkle of everyday life."

A key aspect of this work is not just to "see" this unimaginable sparkle of light, but to actually "sit" on the chairs.

"Everyone loves to sit, don't they?" says Yoshioka. To touch the sparkle, to sit, and to spend time there. Unlike many art exhibitions where touching is forbidden, this interactive installation, which moves from "viewing" to "dialogue," is sure to leave a lasting impression of sparkle in the hearts of visitors.

Seven Questions for Designer Tokujin Yoshioka and General Producer Yachiko Sasao

We asked Tokujin Yoshioka and Yachiko Sasao to answer questions about Salone in Roppongi with a single word or phrase. We hope this will serve as an opportunity to gain deeper insight into their respective perspectives.

Q1. Roppongi?
YoshiokaCulture.
SasaoA city that is both new and old. A city I want to remain new.

Q2. Midtown?
YoshiokaA city for adults.
SasaoA place with the potential to communicate with the world.

Q3. Salone in Roppongi?
YoshiokaCommunication between Japan and Milan.
SasaoA place to discover the joy of design, or rather, a place to experience design.

Q4. Milan?
YoshiokaThe hub of design.
SasaoAn old yet new city.

Q5. Design?
YoshiokaPeople.
SasaoConsideration.

Q6. People?
YoshiokaSenses.
SasaoDiscovery and communication.

Q7. Art?
YoshiokaEmotion.
Sasao…I think it's the opposite of consideration. What word would capture it? (After a pause) Obsession! If design is about horizontal breadth, art is about depth. I believe it's obsession in a good way.

Salone in Roppongi 2014
Dates: Friday, October 17 - Sunday, October 26
Hours: 11:00 - 21:00
Venue: Tokyo Midtown Atrium
9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Free
Organizers: Salone in Roppongi Executive Committee, Roppongi Keizai Shimbun / Akasaka Keizai Shimbun
Sponsorship: Minato City, Tokyo
Cooperation: Tokyo Midtown
http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/designtouch/2014/event/event005.html