URUSHI
In the heart of our creative endeavor, nestled between tradition and innovation. Together with an architect Toyo Ito and the master of Urushi lacquer and wood, Yasuhiro Satake, we embarked on a journey to reimagine tradition through a modern lens.
Urushi, a material steeped in centuries of Japanese heritage, was to be our medium. Yet, we dared to diverge from convention, to stray from the beaten path of thick coats and gleaming finishes. Instead, we sought to unveil the raw essence of the wood beneath, to let its natural grain sing a silent melody of elegance.
In the skilled hands of Satake, this vision found its form. With meticulous precision and a reverence for tradition, he applied thin veils of Urushi, coaxing out the organic patterns of the wood with a delicate touch. Each plate became a canvas, a testament to the marriage of ancient technique and contemporary design.>>
Team:
Architect
Toyo Ito
Wood craftman
Yasuhiro Satake
Designer
Nao Tamura
>>We envisioned a presentation that would evoke the gentle sway of fallen leaves upon a tranquil pond. And so, we crafted a display as fluid as the water itself, using blocks of acrylic to suspend our plates in a delicate dance of light and shadow.
As our creation took shape, it transcended the boundaries of mere utility, becoming a symphony of form and function, a celebration of the ordinary transformed into the extraordinary. A testament to the timeless allure of tradition, reinvented for the modern age.
In the end, what emerged from our collaboration was more than just a set of plates; it was a testament to the power of creativity, the beauty of tradition, and the endless possibilities that arise when we dare to dream beyond the confines of convention. Here lies the intersection of art and life.
Client
Toyo Ito Architecs
Take Action Foundation
Year
2015
Photo
Makoto Fujii
