A sound-emitting egg sculpture and a samurai chest of drawers feature in a series of objects made by designers in collaboration with master artisans from Japan’s Tohoku region, on show for London Design Festival.
Designers Sabine Marcelis, Ini Archibong, Studio Swine, Yoichi Ochiai, Michael Young and Hideki Yoshimoto all participated in the Craft x Tech initiative, with the results now on show at the V&A.
Each designer was paired with a different artisan and asked to apply their expertise to a contemporary work.
Craft x Tech is more than an exhibition; it’s a celebration of cultural collaboration and innovation,” said designer and engineer Hideki Yoshimoto, who initiated the project.
“By showcasing these exceptional works, we hope to inspire new dialogues and creative expressions within the design community and beyond,” said Yoshimoto.
Marcelis’ contribution saw her work with artisans from Akita, who specialise in the Kawatsura Shikki style of lacquerware, to create high-gloss finishes.
Renowned for her colourful Candy Cube furniture, the Dutch designer explored a similarly minimal aesthetic. The use of lacquer gives these pieces their distinctly shiny finish.
Also working with lacquer, American designer Archibong collaborated with Tsugaru-Nuri specialists from Aomori. The result is a sculpture that emits sounds in response to movement.
Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves of Studio Swine created a contemporary version of the Sendai-Tansu chest of drawers, specific to the city of Sendai, which traditionally would be crafted for samurai warriors and merchants.
The British-Japanese duo created a geometric design that takes cues from Japanese block prints and metabolist architecture.
Just like with the traditional chests, the drawers are completely airtight, so closing one drawer causes another to open.
Hong Kong-based designer Michael Young used the ironware techniques of Iwate’s Nambu-Tekki artisans to create tables with intricate legs, decorated with patterns based on cherry blossoms.
The traditional Japanese tea room was the starting point for Japanese artist Yoichi Ochiai, who was invited to work with Oitama Tsumugi silk.
The textile forms a red see-through cube with tree branches suspended at its centre.
The final addition comes from Yoshimoto himself, who created a floor lamp utilising Tohoku’s oldest pottery traditions.
The design combines distinctive glazed elements with precisely cut resin and metal.
Maria Cristina Didero curated the exhibition, which was presented in Tokyo and Basel before coming to the UK for London Design Festival.
“This project is a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when traditional craftsmanship meets modern technology,” said Didero.
Craft x Tech is on show at the V&A from 14 September to 13 October 2024 as part of London Design Festival. Visit Dezeen Events Guide for a guide to the festival and other architecture and design events taking place around the world.
