Issey Miyake asked Kenyan photographer James Mollison to contribute to an exhibition on Chocolate, he was curating (in 07) with the designer Naoto Fukasawa. Chocolate in Japan has become a luxury product with organized tastings- similar to wine. So, Mollison decided it would be interesting to explore the(...) Read More about James Mollison Cocoa Pickers Series for Issey Miyake (58 words)

EXHIBITION, FINE ART | Permalink | 2 comments |

“Pin-up girls in present-day,” was the theme for G.V.G.V.’s latest Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Covering the top looks for the coming year’s sunny seasons, the label’s founder and designer MUG included the 50s pinup, a bit of ‘burb housewife, and some Miami tropics into a look that’s 100 percent put together.(...) Read More about G.V.G.V. Spring/Summer 2012 (95 words)

FASHION | Permalink | No comment |

Built by architecture studio Eastern Design Office, this Japanese Flatiron inspired building is located in the district of Youkaichi in Shiga Prefecture. A triangular residential complex of 13 meters height with 7 apartments each composed of a living room of 13 m2, two bed rooms with 13 m2 and 9m2, a prefabricated bathroom, a kitchen system and a toilet.
(...) Read More about Japanese Flatiron by Eastern Design Office (39 words)

ARCHITECTURE | Permalink | 4 comments |

Using possibly the cheapest material around—thrift store plastics that have already been used or trashed—Sayaka Kajita Ganz still manages to make pieces that look downright priceless (and sell for over US$ 12,500 each). Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka explains that, “Japanese Shinto beliefs are such that all objects and organisms have spirits, and objects that are discarded before their time weep at night inside the trash bin… or so they teach children at many preschools.”

Whether truth or tale, the image stuck with Sayaka as she moved from country to country. “I had a strong desire to fit in, (...) Read More about Sayaka Ganz Recycled Sculptures (46 words)

ART, SCULPTURE | Permalink | 2 comments |

Satoshi Itasaka and Takuto Usami collaborated to establish “h220430″ , their conceptual design company focused on lighting and furniture. I particularly love these three pieces for their for theatrical appearances. Despite the humor in each of these works there is this sterile characteristic that makes them such novelties.(...) Read More about h220430 Design (3 words)

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN | Permalink | No comment |

I could not have expected such refined and meticulous work from anybody but a Japanese artist. Hasegawa Yoshio created a series of sculptural pieces, modeled after a soda can and hand-crafted out of paper and acrylic. (...) Read More about Hasegawa Yoshio’s Soda Sculptures (4 words)

ART, SCULPTURE | Permalink | 3 comments |

Sexual connotation, fantasy or secret meetings, those establishments called ‘Love Hotels’ provide kinky fun for all types seeking sexual adventure. Photographer Misty Keasler traveled Japan to documented the (...) Read More about Japan Love Hotels By Misty Keasler (35 words)

BOOK, CULTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN, TRAVEL | Permalink | 5 comments |

Available in a range oft colors, Japanese designers Torafu Architects designed these very cool Tapehook‘s that look like curled pieces of adhesive tape. Each hook has been created by soaking the paper, curling it, then allowing it to dry in position. A great and simple idea to hook your keys in style, necklaces or glasses.(...) Read More about Tapehook by Torafu Architects (23 words)

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN | Permalink | No comment |

Japanese ex-fisherman who studied ichthyology and now artist: Iori Tomita transforms marine life with scientific technique of preserving and dying organism specimens into an art form with his series that he calls, New World Transparent Specimens.

(...) Read More about When Fish Meet Artistic Science (112 words)

ART | Permalink | 7 comments |