Lounge
December 9, 2014
NEWS | Top artists and craftspeople collaborate to create works themed around "bamboo"
NEWS | Top Artists and Craftsmen Collaborate to Create Works Themed Around "Bamboo"
"REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT CHARITY GALA 2013 with GUCCI"
On February 9th (Saturday), Yokohama hosted the "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT CHARITY GALA 2013 with GUCCI," an event organized by "TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION," headed by former Japan national football team player Hidetoshi Nakata. The event aimed to introduce the appeal of Japan's traditional crafts, culture, and techniques to a wider audience. Experts and artists from various fields formed five teams to present works themed around "bamboo," a material long intertwined with daily life.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Rediscovering the Charm of Bamboo, an Indispensable Part of Japanese Life
Hidetoshi Nakata began a journey visiting all 47 prefectures in 2009. During this time, he encountered the world of "takumi" (artisans) who inherit traditional crafts, and also became acutely aware of issues such as a lack of successors. From this experience, he launched the "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT" with the goal of fostering greater understanding of the value and potential held by these artisans, and expanding their possibilities into new forms of value.
The theme for this year's charity gala, which began in 2010, was "bamboo," a material inseparable from Japanese life. A total of 18 individuals, including craftsmen, artists, and designers selected by five advisory board members—such as Creative Director Kashiwa Sato, Fashion Editor Tomoki Yuge, Kyoto City University of Arts President Akira Tatehata, and Designer Shigeki Hattori—formed five teams to create works. Through the collaboration of specialists across genres, including objects with messages drawn on thinly shaved bamboo, partitions with beautiful curves crafted using skilled techniques to bend hard bamboo, and chandeliers, the event brought forth works that further highlighted the multifaceted appeal of bamboo.
The gala where these works were presented was supported by Gucci, a partner that resonated with the "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT." Attendees included Hisako Manda and NIGO®, among others, and some of the artworks were also offered at auction. In addition to these pieces, ten items, including a one-of-a-kind Gucci Bamboo bag and experiential opportunities offered by celebrities who support the project, were auctioned, raising 50.7 million yen in operational funds.
Hidetoshi Nakata expressed his aspirations for the "REVALUE NIPPON PROJECT," stating, "I hope that by continuing this activity, it will become a gateway to the world." We will continue to follow this initiative, which sheds light on aspects we tend to overlook and conveys new facets of Japan's appeal.
TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION
http://www.takeactionfoundation.net