AXIS vol.158 in store now!
12.07.04
Cover interview Atelier Bow-Wow
Atelier Bow-Wow is well-known for its unique small private residences, which it designed many mainly in Tokyo. Its approach to creating a design concept by first conducting a hearing session with the clients regarding their lifestyle and sensibilities has proved effective as a way to compensate for elements that the administration and civil engineering tend to overlook even in their recovery support following the major earthquake disaster. We talked to Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima.
Feature The Evolution of the Workshop–Hints for becoming more creative
If workshops are one way to stimulate creative thinking, then the methods and ways of thinking behind them must also be creative. Have not workshops evolved and transformed without copying conventional methods or being shackled by the successful experiences of the past? In this feature we take a look at some of the latest examples and not only introduce their methods but also attempt to discover hints for developing creativity.
Traditional Craft Forms Japanese candles
Making extra effort to preserve the traditional ways and skills. That’s easy to say, but not so easy to practice. The higher the artisan’s skill, the higher he sets his goal, and the more he hates compromising. The insightful eye and knacks he acquired through years of experience enable the production of one-of-a-kind products, and can’t be mechanized. If you light a candle, it melts and disappears, but behind it is a world of making things that goes beyond the imagination.
Opinion Brian David Johnson, Futurist of Intel
Under the job description “futurist” at Intel, Brian David Johnson provides visions for the future. We talked with him about an approach he calls “casting the future.”
Topics Shenu: Hydrolemic System by takram design engineering–A transfiguration of the future “water bottle” into artificial organs in an extreme milieu of the Post-Apocalyptic world
takram executes diverse projects based on the dual approach of design and engineering and has recently designed a water bottle of the future based on a completely new concept. Although this water bottle is a prototype situated in a future world envisioned by a pair of artists as a discursive platform, its thorough construction of narrative and profound insight into future technologies transcend the framework of fiction.
Topics Artist Antoni Muntadas─translates & intervenes in cultural diversity
Antoni Muntadas, born in Barcelona, is an active artist presently based in New York. Since the 1970s Muntadas has been involved with various intellectuals from around the world in diverse projects, including critical commentaries of politics and power through cutting-edge methods. His activity tells us that art is not just about competition in formality and esthetics, but includes significant implications on social practice.
Topics Products as sculptures that produce light
and shadow–IN-EI ISSEY MIYAKE
IN-EI ISSEY MIYAKE was unveiled by Italian manufacturer Artemide at Light+building in Germany and the Milan Furniture Fair this April. The design is by Issey Miyake and his team Reality Lab. The products the team had been working on through numerous prototypes were finally materialized and drew enormous attention.
Other topics
Tokyo and Zurich architects set thier gaze upon the urban residence of the future
Terada Mokei and architects Naoki Terada
The German chocolate maker Ritter Sport—A philosophy pakced into a square
A conversation between will.i.an and Dr. Paul Thompson, Rector of RCA
Other series
The Prototype Rekimoto Lab, The University of Tokyo “Colloidal Display”
Blinking Memory “The moment one presents a gift”
Masaaki Hiromuras Junglin “The Design of Crowds”
Life in Tokyo with civil engineering “City gap” etc.
