KIGI | "KIGI STORE" Opens for a Limited 25 Days at Omotesando Hills
KIGI | KIGI
A New Space for Creators, Held at "OMOTESANDO HILLS POCKET"
25-Day Limited Pop-Up Store "KIGI STORE" Opens
KIGI was founded in 2012 by Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe, leading Japanese art directors who explore new possibilities in graphic design and create unique works across various genres. From Thursday, July 24th, they will open "KIGI STORE," a limited 25-day pop-up shop at "OMOTESANDO HILLS POCKET" on the B3 floor of the Omotesando Hills Main Building.
Text by Makoto KAJII (OPENERS)
On Sunday, August 10th, the KIGI duo will serve as store managers for the day.
"KIKOF" is a brand launched by the KIGI duo, who continue their unique activities, in collaboration with traditional craft artisans based around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture.
The first product line features tableware created with Shigaraki ware artisans. True to KIGI's graphic design roots, the pieces are characterized by their extremely thin and simple design, resembling molded paper.
The "KIGI STORE" pop-up, open for 25 days, will showcase and offer for purchase newly completed "KIKOF" ceramics, alongside products born from their ongoing exploration of the interplay between graphics and products.
"KIGI STORE"
Period: Thursday, July 24th – Monday, August 17th
Location: Omotesando Hills Main Building B3F, OMOTESANDO HILLS POCKET
4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 21:00
*Sundays until 20:00 (Final day until 18:00)
http://kikof.jp
Omotesando Hills General Information
Tel. 03-3497-0310
KIGI | Ryosuke Uehara / Yoshie Watanabe
They handle art direction and product design for companies, brands, and shops. After working at the graphic design firm DRAFT, they established KIGI in 2012. While continuing their individual projects, they began collaborating in 1999 during their time at DRAFT, creating numerous seminal design works. As directors of "D-BROS," launched by DRAFT to explore new product possibilities from a graphic design perspective, they developed many leading products for the brand. Their iconic vinyl flower vase, "hope forever blossoming," is a long-selling item available at D-BROS shops (Shinagawa, Umeda) and select stores and museum shops worldwide. They have released a total of 65 patterns annually. Other projects include contributing works to Hermès' research project "Precious Paper" and the museum shop edition of D-BROS' paper clock "Time Paper" for the Victoria and Albert Museum. They have received numerous design awards in Japan, Europe, and the United States. Continuously exploring and creating new forms of graphic expression across all genres, they have also co-authored the art book "KIGI" (Little More). Their major exhibitions include "KIGI Exhibition" (Ginza Graphic Gallery, 2012) and "Continued KIGI Exhibition: Convergence and Diffusion" (Hillside Forum, 2013).
www.ki-gi.com