DESIGN /
INTERIOR
March 17, 2015
ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK 2015 Set for Late June | ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK
ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK
Aiming for a Future Where Everyone Can Enjoy a Rich Lifestyle
ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK 2015 Set for Late June
The "Asahikawa Furniture Exhibition," held annually in June in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, has been renamed "ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK" starting this year, its 61st iteration. With Akio Aoki of MIRU DESIGN as creative director, the event is being revamped to promote the furniture and woodworking industry to the world, using the greater Asahikawa region as its stage. It will be open not only to industry professionals such as interior coordinators, buyers, architects, and designers, but also to the general public. The dates have been set for five days from Wednesday, June 24th to Sunday, June 28th, and the event details have been revealed.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)
Encounter New Proposals and Designs from Asahikawa's Woodworking Hub in 2015
At the press conference for "ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK," Akio Aoki, who explained the event's overview, highlighted four key strengths of Asahikawa, a region with a concentration of Japan's leading woodworking technology and factories: "abundant natural resources," "a cluster of over 100 manufacturers," "human resource development," and "the track record of IFDA (International Furniture Design Fair Asahikawa)."
With the grand theme "MAKE SQUARE," the newly launched "ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK 2015" centers around an early summer exhibition featuring approximately 40 participating manufacturers. Leading Japanese furniture makers with advanced technology, such as Arflex,カンディハウス, time & style, and Takumi Kohgei, all based in Asahikawa, will unveil new pieces from their original collections.
Installation by Sou Fujimoto, Architect from Asahikawa
At the "Asahikawa Furniture Center," the main venue during the event, a special installation will be presented in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto, an architect from Asahikawa, and the "Kokonoki Furniture Hokkaido Project." This installation aims to evoke the essence of furniture born amidst nature.
Sou Fujimoto, speaking at the press conference, expressed his enthusiasm: "I want to communicate with the people involved in furniture manufacturing in Asahikawa, draw inspiration from materials, and create an interesting project that conveys the essence of Asahikawa."
Factory Tours and Special Exhibitions Also Noteworthy
Furthermore, during the event, factory tours will be offered by various companies, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the craftsmanship and techniques of Asahikawa. A special exhibition curated by Kenji Oda, a renowned chair researcher and collector known for his extensive collection of mid-century Scandinavian design products by masters like Hans J. Wegner, Børge Mogensen, and Finn Juhl, will be held at the Chairs Gallery in Asahikawa City.
"ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK" is reborn as an event that embraces design in a broad sense, including furniture. We hope you will enjoy the excellence and joy of design-driven manufacturing amidst the pleasant early summer climate of Hokkaido.
ASAHIKAWA DESIGN WEEK 2015
Period | Wednesday, June 24 - Sunday, June 28, 2015
*Open to the public: Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28
Venue | Asahikawa Furniture Center (1-35 Nagayama 2-jo, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido), various manufacturers, workshops, and shops in Asahikawa City, Higashikawa Town, and Higashikagura Town
Admission | Free
http://www.asahikawa-kagu.or.jp/