Designart Tokyo has revealed highlights for its 2023 festival, emphasizing cutting-edge creativity and new trends in interior design, as well as art, fashion and product design in Tokyo, Japan. 

Designart Tokyo, one of Japan’s largest design and art festivals, will take place from October 20 to 29, 2023 across multiple venues of Tokyo. 

Themed Sparks —Freeing your Thoughts, this year's festival will celebrate new trends and lifestyles in design, art, interior design, fashion, turning the entire district of Tokyo into a museum. 

The 10-day festival will house 108 exhibitions and present works and new digital contents in 83 venues.

Design Anthology editor-in-chief Suzy Annetta is the guest curator, she will curate the Asia Creative Relation exhibition. Image © Gavin Green

World Architecture Community is official media partner of Designart Tokyo 2023 and will be bringing the latest news from this year's festival.

Special sections like Asia Creative Relation - curated by Design Anthology editor-in-chief Suzy Annetta, collective exhibitions, gallery presentations, including Designart Gallery, Tiers Gallery, Tokyo Midtown, Corner Gallery, will embrace new talents, Asian creators, and designers throughout the festival. 

Designart Tokyo' on-going initiative, UNDER 30, will also present new talents and artists under the age 30 whose works promise for the future of design, including Tokyo-based designer So Tanaka, interior architect Gala Espel, Japanese graphic designer Mai Suzuki, Japanese practice 21B STUDIO (by Daijiro Arimura, Koeda Kobayashi, and Shotaro Tokioka), Japanese product designer Leo Koda. 

Here're a selection of works, creators, events, exhibitions to be showcased at this year's Designart Tokyo:

Ambientec Gallery. Image © Takumi Ota

Sanlorenzo Lounge. Image courtesy of Sanlorenzo Japan

Designart Gallery

Exhibition of cutting-edge creativity

Participating brands & creators are Muuto, Sanlorenzo Japan (MOROSO・Paola Lenti), Ambientec, RECONC, h220430 Satoshi Itasaka, Denis Guidone x Y.S.M., Gwenael Nicolas, Tokio., AMUAMI, Original Kolor Design, WASARA.

The Designart Gallery exhibition will take place at one of the official exhibition sites in Escorter Aoyama Bldg, showcasing many of the latest creative works by the hottest creators from Japan and abroad. Its special feature is a pop-up store filled with the charm of the Danish furniture brand Muuto. 

The spatial composition of the exhibition will be overseen by Atsushi Shindo, an acclaimed designer who was selected as one of the UNDER 30 initiative in 2021. An installation of reclaimed acrylic panels—a mass-consumed relic of the pandemic—will adorn a space of approximately 500 square meters.

Design by Dongwook Choi. Image © Dongwook Choi

Design by we+. Image © we+

Design by Ryosuke Harashima. Image © Ryosuke Harashima

Asia Creative Relation - Powered by THE LIONS

Future star designers from Asia

The official exhibition with a cutting-edge theme is always a highlight of Designart Tokyo. This year presents the Asia Creative Relation exhibition, looking ahead to the year 2050 and bringing together Asia’s future star designers. 

The guest curator for this exhibition is Suzy Annetta, the editor-in-chief of Design Anthology, a design magazine in the Asia- Pacific region. With her keen insights into Asian creators and network established through managing her independent AWARD, artists and works befitting of this exhibition will be presented.

The theme is “A New Horizon”—Looking ahead to interior design for lifestyles in 2050. With the theme “A New Horizon,” this exhibition will mark a major step forward in Designart’s initiative in building a platform for cultural exchange in Asia since 2021. The exhibition will bring together remarkably unique furniture and artworks by promising Asian creators.

THE LIONS - by DAIKYO Incorporated, who resonate with the initiative of Asia Creative Relation to pursue and disseminate design and creative ideas that will survive into the future, will showcase for the first time "THE LIONS' visions of a new lifestyle for times of change in this exhibition.

Participating creators are AtMa (Japan)/ Bumki Song (South Korea) / CLEVERCLAIRE (South Korea)/ Curiosity (Japan) / Dongwook Choi (South Korea)/ Funi Ding (HongKong)/Jingjin Naihan Li (China) / Kairo Kusamoto (Japan) / Kodai Iwamoto (Japan)/ OPEN OBJECT (China) / PAN-PROJECTS + REMARE (Japan)/ Ryosuke Harashima (Japan) / SDANLEY DESIGN WORKS (Taiwan) / Shizuka Tatsuno (Japan) / Studio Orijeen (South Korea) / Studio Osoh(South Korea) /Takuto Ohta (Japan) / Yosuke Matsushita (Japan) / we+ (Japan) / Zougei Hiroyuki Nishimura (Japan).

Design by So Tanaka. Image © So Tanaka

Design by Gala Espel. Image © Gala Espel

Tiers Gallery

Uniquely-conceived elaborate creations

A group exhibition of four creators (including two UNDER 30 creators) will be held at Tiers Gallery, located on the third floor of the Tiers building with a prominent grand staircase that gently connects the exterior to the interior, designed by architect Hikalu Tanabe. 

It features elaborate works created with unique inspirations, including the followings: Archaeology of the Future by Gala Espel (UNDER 30), which introduces a digital tool in the making of objects, giving life to visionary silver forms. A space inhabited by evanescent details. 

Merging past and future; the “vnsh” light by So Tanaka (UNDER 30), which was created to embody the idea of “illuminating the surroundings while disappearing into the light,” focusing on the perception and relationships; a gravity-themed installation work by Akira Hojo & Ryoma Maeda using lighting and a leather shoe; and SHIZENTAI by Masato Ozawa, which proposes a new form of tea ceremony that explores ancient Japanese spirituality and unites our spirit with nature.

Tanikawa-Mokkougei × Masato Suzuki Design. Image © Tanikawa-Mokkougei × Masato Suzuki Design

HONOKA. Image © 2023 HONOKA Lab

Hibiya Okuroji

Showcase of one-of-a-kind interior products

Hibiya Okuroji is tucked away deep in Ginza with its impressive century-old brick arches. The 300m-long walkway under the elevated train tracks will be filled with unique interior products. In a spacious ~130-square-metre space, design lab HONOKA, the first prize winner at SaloneSatellite Award 2023, will present the Tatami ReFAB Project that aims to re-embed tatami materials into modern life. 

Other works include the Mobiraka series, such as sofa, table light, and vase - a collaborative work between Kiyoshi Tanikawa (an oke barrel craftsman of Tanikawa- Mokkougei - the above picture) and designer Masato Suzuki that adopts a Sanuki Oke barrel design while visualizing the production process that achieves no material wastes. 

Masafumi Futo, Fixed Tetras. Image © Masafumi Futo

Nomadic Collective Assemble by Itaru Shinagawa. Image © Itaru Shinagawa

Seibu Shibuya Movida Building 7F Special venue Experimental ideas and design

A special venue on the seventh floor of Movida Building on Shibuya’s Koen- dori will host an exhibition of experimentally produced products. Participating creators are Nomadic Collective, PHAT, Masafumi Futo, and Nyokki.

The Nomadic Collective’s Things with Dialogue exhibition will showcase objects and furniture which are the result of four product designers’ attempts to reexamine the meaning of creativity beyond the frame and to embody it experimentally in a practical form. 

Designer Masafumi Futo, a creator who combines art and design perspectives, will present Fixed Tetras, consisting of tetrapod-like objects made of various materials and techniques in search of a dynamically balanced, beautiful structure.

Yuichiro Morimoto/ NISSHOKU. Image © Yuichiro Morimoto

Nature or Nurture. Image © Daiki Tado 

Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi)

Tokyo Midtown’s DESIGN TOUCH presents works of three creators under the theme of “Draw the Future”. 

The Draw the Future section will present works of 21B STUDIO (UNDER 30) with ink couture project, Yuichiro Morimoto with NISSHOKU, and Daiki Tado with Nature or Nurture project.

The venues are Tokyo Midtown on the second floor and third floor of Galleria.

Design by Yasushi Ichikawa. Image © Yasushi Ichikawa

"Yves Saint Laurent, Across the Style" installation view. Image courtesy of The National Art Center, Tokyo

Celine Omotesando - Celine Art Project. Image © Celine Omotesando

A place where Fashion fuses with Art

Fondation d’entreprise Hermès will present Ecology: Dialogue on Circulations Dialogue 1 “La Vita Nuova” Jaeeun Choi. Dialogue 1 “La Vita Nuova” Jaeeun Choi will be a solo exhibition presenting both past and new works, looking back on the 40-year practice of artist Jaeeun Choi (born in 1953, Seoul, Korea), who has continued a dialogue with the environment and nature.

The second exhibition is the retrospective of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. With the full cooperation of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, the National Art Center, Tokyo will hold the first major retrospective exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent in Japan since his death. The show will present a wealth of 262 items in twelve chapters, including 110 of the designer’s looks as well as accessories, drawings, and photographs.

Another exhbition will showcase Celine Oomotesando, newly expanded to three floors from the first basement level to the second floor above ground. The balanced sculpture-like space uses the finest natural materials. With the expansion of the Celine Art Project, many contemporary artworks adorn the space, including paintings by Chris Succo and John Isaacs, and sculptures by A. Kassen, David Nash, Elizabeth Atterbury, and Cameron Platter.

Champagne MaisonPerrier-Jouët unveils “Seeds Of Life,” a collaboration with Fernando Laposse. Image © Champagne MaisonPerrier-Jouët

Champagne Maison Perrier-Jouët unveils "Seeds Of Life," a collaboration with Fernando Laposse

In 2023, Perrier-Jouët has collaborated with Mexican artist and designer Fernando Laposse, who has created an installation, "Seeds Of Life" which is inspired by the flower. It spotlights the significant role of flowers in a series of surprising relationships in the ecosystem, including pollination.

Another sections will welcome Mintdesigns Aoyama’s Corner Gallery by Leo Koda (UNDER 30), and Fender Flagship Tokyo, the world’s first flagship store in Harajuku, Tokyo last June. The store is attracting attention not only as a musical instruments store but also as a new information hub for music culture. It showcases the Fender Pick Tables, a table series inspired by guitar pics and designed under the supervision of Klein Dytham architecture.

Kotaro Nukaga, Deutsche Bücherei Leipzig XI. Image courtesy of Kotaro Nukaga

Art

The Delight of Art at High-Profile Exhibitions

The Art section will house a series of exhibitions, including a solo exhibition by German artist Candida Höfer, Reflections of Spaces - Spaces of Reflection - the exhibition will be held at Kotaro Nukaga. Höfer’s first solo exhibition at Kotaro Nukaga will feature large-scale works, including her signature Library series. 

Another shows will include French artist’s first solo exhibition at Perrotin Tokyo, an exhibition of Keisuke Tada at MAKI Gallery and Gallery Common, and an exhibition of Nobuto Fukutsu, a painter who pursues a unique style of painting using various patterns at MA5 Gallery.

Jean-Philippe Delhomme will present a series of new portraits produced in his Paris studio during traditional model posing sessions. Concurrent Exhibitions by Keisuke Tada at MAKI Gallery and Gallery Common. 

Iroise dining table. Image © Roche Bobois

Artek and Formafantasma, Cambio on Finnish forestry. Image © Artek and Formafantasma

Interior

New Works and Presentations by Interior Brands

Designart Tokyo will bring new pespectives to interior design in its Interior section. 

The show will present Roche Bobois’s new dining table Iroise, artworks by five up-and-coming artists for Rolf Benz Tokyo, Knoll's new products, Artek and Formafantasma's “Wild Birch” - a new wood selection based on their ongoing research on the forest, and Stellar Works' novel products and new showroom, including the designs of Neri&Hu as well as new works presented at NYCxDESIGN 2023.

Mai Suzuki's design. Image © Hinako Yoshida

Japanese pottery by Asemi Co. Image © Asemi Co.

New Interpretation of Japanese Traditional Crafts

Designart Tokyo 2023 festival will house new interpretation of Japanese traditional crafts. The show will present Japanese pottery by Asemi Co., and a solo exhibition Michi Kumiko (UNDER 30) by Mai Suzuki. 

Suzuki's exhibit will explore true richness through Kumiko, a traditional craft that encompasses Iki (aesthetics). With each component modeled in 3D using techniques learned from Kumiko craftsmen, the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and technology designs MICHI (undiscovered) possibilities.

Other exhibitions will consist of artless + ryokuensha + griffon| Sekitei: Sekitei is an installation that presents a new interpretation of traditional Japanese garden culture fused with contemporary art and design, and Sisyu: Beyond Traditional Expression at Poltrona Frau Tokyo Aoyama. Internationally renowned calligrapher and artist Sisyu will reinterpret the traditional expressions of Ukiyo-e, calligraphy, and Japanese painting from a new perspective.

HAY pop-up at The Conran Shop Marunouchi. Image © The Conran Shop Marunouchi

Experiencing the Tradition and Innovation of Japan and Tokyo in the Tokyo Station Area

The area around Tokyo Station (Marunouchi, Kyobashi, Yaesu, Nihonbashi, etc.) is part of the newly expanded venue for the event this year. A variety of exhibitions will be held at around 10 venues, including high-profile mixed-use spaces, landmarks, and galleries at this location. It is quite a treat to see exhibits while touring the historic architecture and iconic sites of Tokyo that are concentrated in this new venue area.

For example, the Conran Shop is a home furnishings store specializing in hand-picked furniture, lighting, and interior items from around the world, as well as a large selection of original items. The shop will host a pop-up shop for HAY.

Works by the Seiko Design Center Department. Image courtesy of SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION

Other exhibitions at Designart Tokyo include "Where We Are: The 60th Anniversary Exhibition of Yamaha Design Laboratory" - the exhibition develops a variety of products related to sound and music, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023, and "Forest of Mechanism 2023" - the second exhibition of the Forest of Mechanism series, which was a great success last year. 

Forest of Mechanism 2023 is composed of three groups of out-of-house creators nomena, siro, TANGENT, and the Seiko Design Center Department created works focusing on the fascination of watches beyond function, inspired by the mechanical wristwatch, one of Seiko’s most prized technologies with a particularly long history.

Image © Designart Tokyo

Designart Tokyo Exhibition facts

Event Period: October 20th (Fri) to 29 October 29th (Sun) 2023, 10 days

Area: Omotesando, Gaienmae, Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Hiroo, Ginza, Tokyo

Organizer: Designart Tokyo Committee

Number of exhibits: 108

Number of venues: 83 (As of 10,05,2023)

Number of participating creators & brands: Approximately 300

The founders of Designart: Akio Aoki (MIRU DESIGN), Shun Kawakami (artless Inc.),Hiroshi Koike (NON-GRID), OkisatoNagata (TIMELESS), Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham architecture).

Top image in the article: Masafumi Futo, Fixed Tetras. Image © Masafumi Futo.

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