DESIGN /
PRODUCT
September 20, 2019
Koichi Futatsumata's "Kiulu Bench" Exhibition and Sale: "Landscape of Design" | Artek
Artek
A Bench Expressing the Shared Lifestyle and Values of Japan and Finland, Living in Harmony with Nature
Unveiled in April 2019 during Milan Design Week as part of Artek's "FIN/JPN Friendship Collection" celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan, the "Kiulu Bench" marks the highly anticipated Japanese debut and world-first release of Artek's new collection designed by spatial and product designer Koichi Futatsumata. What is its full story?
Text by WAKABAYASHI Satsuki
Products Combining Design and Functionality, Rooted in Nature and Culture
This spring, Artek introduced the "Kiulu Bench" at Milan Design Week.
And this autumn, the Kiulu Bench is finally being launched in Japan, with its world premiere sale.
"Kiulu" is Finnish for "tub" or "bucket," and the design's origins trace back to a connection between Japan and Finland.
The design was conceived by spatial and product designer Koichi Futatsumata. He focused on the culture of public baths, such as saunas and onsen, where one can immerse themselves in vast nature, cleanse body and mind, and foster communication with others.
He paid particular attention to traditional Japanese wooden tubs and the Finnish kiulu.
Both feature soft, rounded forms crafted from wood, conveying a sense of "warmth" from the cultures of both countries.
This can be seen as a shared value between the two nations: living in harmony with nature by embracing the vast outdoors and integrating it into daily life.
The designer aimed to create a product that combines design and functionality, inspired by the rich tapestry of nature, culture, and history, leading to the birth of this uniquely shaped bench.
Beyond its primary function as seating, the basket-like compartments at each end offer storage for various items, allowing for a multitude of uses limited only by one's imagination. It has become a product that sparks creativity.
To commemorate the Japanese launch and sale, an exhibition titled "Landscape of Design" is being held at the Artek Tokyo Store in Omotesando, Tokyo.
The exhibition features a window display exploring the origins of the "Kiulu Bench," set against photographs of Finland's majestic nature by photographer Naoshi Tsuda. Furthermore, the basement level offers insights into its practical applications in daily life, providing a multi-faceted experience of its world.
Additionally, a talk event with Koichi Futatsumata is scheduled during the exhibition period, among other highlights.
Why not visit the Artek Tokyo Store this autumn to experience the "Kiulu Bench," launching first in the world, and the "Landscape" that unfolds behind it?
Exhibition "Landscape of Design"
Period | October 16, 2019 (Wed) –
Venue | Artek Tokyo Store
Address | 1F･B1F, 5-9-20 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Reception
Date & Time | October 15, 2019 (Tue) 18:00–20:00
Venue | Artek Tokyo Store
Talk Event
Date & Time | October 26, 2019 (Sat) 17:00–18:00
Venue | Artek Tokyo Store
Speaker | Koichi Futatsumata
